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The Graduate College
Texas State The Graduate College Graduate Programs Geographic Information Science

Geographic Information Science

Doctoral Program Director
Dr. F. Benjamin Zhan
fz01@txstate.edu
512.245.8846
Evans, Room 319

Advisor Support
Allison Glass
am13@txstate.edu
512.245.2618
Evans, Room 127

Working closely with a dedicated faculty that is recognized nationally and internationally for its research, mentoring and teaching accomplishments, students embark on a journey of professional development that includes research and teaching opportunities. The department also hosts or plays key roles in several international, national and university-wide research centers.

Degree Course Work Dissertation Total Hours
Ph.D. 31 hours 15 hours 46 hours
Deadlines U.S. Citizen International
Fall - Priority January 15 January 15
Fall - Standard May 1 April 15
Spring No Admission No Admission
Summer I No Admission No Admission
Summer II No Admission No Admission

Application Deadline
This program has a firm deadline.

Funding Information
Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding.

Decision Timeline
This program reviews applications on a rolling basis.

Application Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.

Application

  Review important information about the online application.

Application Fee

  • $55 nonrefundable application fee
    OR
  • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

  Review important information about application fees.

Transcripts & GPA

  • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
  • master's degree in geography or a related field from a regionally accredited university
  • a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
  • minimum 3.5 GPA in all completed graduate course work
  • completion of a master's thesis or demonstrated evidence of scholarly research and writing

  Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

GRE Scores*

  • official GRE (general test only) required with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections

*Due to COVID-19 and testing center closures, GRE not required for Fall 2020 applicants.

  Review important information about official test scores.

Documents

  • resume/CV
  • statement of purpose explaining your reasons for pursuing doctoral study and your academic professional interests and goals
  • three letters of recommendation demonstrating adequate subject preparation in content and quality as reflected in your transcripts

  Review important information about documents.

TOEFL or IELTS Scores

Applicants are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
    • minimum individual module scores of 6.0

This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

  Review important information about official test scores.