Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Engineering (MA)

The Master of Arts (MA) in Geography and Environmental Engineering is housed in the Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) on the Homewood campus. Students in this program have the unique opportunity to take classes on both the WSE Homewood and JHSPH East Baltimore campuses in order to complete their degree requirements.

The MA degree is open to students with undergraduate degrees in social sciences or the humanities.

Degree Program Requirements

• A minimum of 30 credits including no more than 1 credit of seminar, 1 credit of intersession course work and 6 credits of independent research counting toward the 30 credits
• At least 50 percent of the required 30 credits must come from courses within the department
• Students are permitted to apply up to two classes with a grade of “C” toward their degree
• AAP (Advanced Academic Programs) or EP (Engineering for Professionals) courses can be taken and counted to receive a master’s degree as long as there is sufficient rigor as deemed by the adviser. Students must have written consent from adviser (an email will suffice) prior to signing up for the course
• WSE strongly discourages Master's students from using 300-level courses to count towards the required number of Master's graduation credits. Exceptions to this rule should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the department. No more than two 300-level courses can be used to count towards the 30 Master's-level credits required for graduation. Advisers must provide an email:

1. Indicating the 300 course has been reviewed and deemed to have acceptable rigor, and
2. Where applicable, identifying the name and course number of the class that the 300 level course will replace.

Course Program Requirements

In addition to these course credits, MA students have the option to complete an independent research project, submitted as a formal essay. Students can focus on one of the Department’s areas of interest, study or research or construct their own program that complements and expands their undergraduate experience; three semesters are typically required to complete the degree. Each program of study is planned by the student in consultation with department faculty and must be approved by the faculty adviser.