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About the Professional Master’s Track

The Professional Master’s is a non-thesis track within the General Geography MS program. This degree is designed for students seeking to build advanced analytical skills and broaden their knowledge of geography, with a focus on applying geographic concepts in professional settings.

Students in this track may pursue interests in any area of geography, including applied research related to water resources, health and medical geography, business geography, and more.

This program is particularly well-suited for students interested in location intelligence, GIS, and spatial data analysis, though it offers the flexibility to explore a wide range of geographic fields.

The Professional Master’s track emphasizes:

  • Practical application of geographic concepts and tools
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills for professional contexts
  • Interdisciplinary approaches to address real-world issues

Explore Program Details and Track Options

Course Requirements

For a full list of required and elective courses for the Professional Master’s track, visit the UNT Course Catalog – Geography, MS

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Professional Master’s track requires meeting the standards of both the UNT Toulouse Graduate School and the Department of Geography and the Environment.

Applicants must:

  1. Meet UNT Graduate School Requirements

    2. Secure a Major Professor

  • Before submitting your application, you must identify and receive agreement from a major professor within the Department of Geography and the Environment who will serve as your advisor.
  • You are encouraged to contact potential faculty members early to discuss your academic interests and career goals.

Your application will not be considered complete until both steps are met.

Application Materials & Submission

All application materials for the General Geography MS (Professional or Research track) must be submitted through UNT’s graduate admissions portal.
For the most up-to-date instructions and portal link, visit:
UNT Graduate Admissions – How to Apply →

Required Materials

Applicants must prepare the following:

  • Graduate School Application & Fee: Complete UNT’s online application and pay the associated application fee. UNT cannot process your application until the fee is received.
  • Official Transcripts: From all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts may be submitted electronically, by mail, or in person. See UNT’s instructions for official submissions: UNT Graduate Admissions – Transcripts
  • Major Professor: Applicants must secure a major professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment prior to applying. The major professor serves as your advisor to guide course selection and ensure you stay on track for the Professional MS.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters from academic or professional references.
  • Letter of Intent: An essay detailing your preparation for graduate studies, preferred major professor (and why), interests, and long-term career goals (and how the UNT MS in Geography will contribute to those goals)
  • Current Resume or CV: Detailing work and educational experience (required for both Professional and Research Master’s tracks).
International Applicants

International students must meet both academic credentials and English language proficiency (ELP) requirements.

  1. Academic Credentials

Official transcripts or other credentials must meet UNT’s standards. Detailed requirements and submission instructions are available here:
UNT International Academic Credentials →

  1. English Language Proficiency (ELP)

UNT requires proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) for any applicant whose citizenship is not from one of the university’s approved English-speaking countries, regardless of English fluency or previous education in English.

Accepted methods include:

  • Completing a degree or high school in an approved English-speaking country
  • Submission of standardized test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc.)

For full details, including recognized countries, accepted tests, and minimum scores, see:
UNT English Language Requirements →

Tip: International applicants should begin the application process several months prior to the deadline to allow ample time for visa processing.

Processing Timeline

Once all materials have been received by UNT, allow 4–6 weeks for initial Graduate School processing before your application is forwarded to the Department of Geography and the Environment for review.

Application Timeline

Applications for the Professional Master’s program are typically accepted twice a year:

  • Fall admission deadline: June 15
  • Spring admission deadline: October 15

While our department previously reviewed applications year-round, these dates now serve as the official deadlines for each admission cycle. The online application portal will close after these dates.

Extenuating Circumstances:
If you miss a deadline due to serious or unexpected circumstances, please contact our department at GEOG-GradAdmissions@unt.edu as soon as possible to discuss whether accommodations may be possible.

Important Contact Information

Departmental Contacts

University / Graduate School Contacts

Applicants should contact the departmental office for program-specific questions, including course guidance and Professional track details. For application portal, admission processing, or general UNT questions, contact the Graduate School.