The Department of Geography offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Research-focused training is provided for those seeking an interdisciplinary understanding of the world. It prepares students for careers in science and technology, government, teaching, and business; theoretical and applied work in geography; and conducting original research.
The Department of Geography has seven specific areas of strength:
- Atmospheric & Climate Science
- Cognitive & Behavioral Geography
- Geoanalytics Science & Planning
- GIScience & Geoinformatics
- Ocean Science
- Population & Health
- Terrestrial Sciences
Ph.D. students may add an optional interdisciplinary doctoral emphasis in Cognitive Science, Environment and Society, Global Studies, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, Technology and Society, Demography, and Climate Science and Climate Change. Geography graduate students participate in major research centers at UCSB, including the Center for Spatial Studies, the Earth Research Institute, the Climate Hazards Center, the Broom Center for Demography, the Institute for Social, Behavioral and Economics Research, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.
Mailing Address
Department of Geography
University of California, Santa Barbara
Ellison Hall, Room 1831
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-4060
(USA)
Department Phone Number
(805) 893-4944
Degrees Offered
MA, MA/PhD, PhD
Deadlines
Fall Only:
- December 1, 2024 (by 11:59 PM PST)
Requirements
The Geography Department encourages potential applicants to review materials at https://www.geog.ucsb.edu/academics/graduate/apply for guidance on how to apply and a description of the Department’s application evaluation process, as certain elements of the online application are not used in reviewing applicants.
- Online application: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
- Statement of Purpose, Personal History and Diversity Statement, and Resume or CV (submitted in the online application)
- Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (submitted online)
- English Language Exam Scores (if applicable): TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) total score of 80, or TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) total score of 550, or IELTS Overall Band score of 7, or Duolingo English Test total score of 120, or higher
- Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). UC Santa Barbara reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.
Cognitive Science, Environment and Society, Global Studies, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, Technology and Society, Demography, and Climate Science and Climate Change (all Ph.D. only)
N/A