The Department of Geography has been in existence for over 40 years at Minnesota State University, coming into being during the time when the University was constituted as Mankato Normal College. With the change in attitude towards Geography, as emphasized by the President, the Congress and the US Department of Education, the National Educational Goals now incorporate Geography as one of the 5 core subject areas. Furthermore, there is the realization that a geographic training is useful and beneficial to a wide spectrum of professions. Thus the Department of Geography at Minnesota State University wishes to offer a broad curriculum of courses which would not only be educationally interesting but professionally attractive.
Ensure commitment to the discipline of Geography and the interdisciplinary Earth Science program (administered by the Geography Department). We will maintain the traditions of physical and cultural geographic concepts and techniques so that our students possess the knowledge necessary to be competitive in today's work force and if desired to pursue a more focused graduate degree program. The geography faculty will dedicate themselves to teaching, to conduct research, to keep current with professional development and trends, in addition to developing student potential and serving the local community.
There are eleven faculty members in the Department with a wide range of education and experience. All of the faculty are dedicated teachers and enjoy the teaching and advising of students in the Department. All of our professors are accessible to students, and they spend a considerable time of academic advising and career counseling. Being a relatively small department with a strong student society participation in our RANGE club, the Department enjoys a camaraderie which fosters long-term friendships and professional connections.
The Department offers the M.S. degree. This degree is a general option where concentrations can be tailor made to suit the students needs or desires. The Department has a fine record of job placement for graduates in recent years.
