This section includes two parts. First part is the requirements for progression to Geography and GeoInformation Science graduate department. Second part is the requirements for earning a master degree in Geography and Cartographic Science.
Part Ⅰ
In Into mason brochure, the requirements for progression to Geography and GeoInformation Science (GGS) graduate department are listed as:
- Mminimum overall GPA: 3.30;
- B or better in all GGS courses, at least one A;
- B or better in all PROV/EAP course;
- No grades of NC, W, or I permitted;
- One Statement of purpose;
- One letter of recommendation from department of GGS Faculty Advisor.
Part Ⅱ
Students who aim to earn a master degree in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences must complete either 36 graduate credits (without a thesis) or 30 graduate credits (including 3-6 credits of thesis). The requirements are listed in summary: Candidates must earn a minimum of 30 graduate credits; only graduate courses may apply toward the degree; the majority of the credits applied to the degree must be earned at Mason; a minimum of 18 credits must be taken in degree status, after admission to the degree program; a maximum of 6 credits of master’s thesis research (799) may be applied to the degree; candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in course work presented on the degree application; the GPA courses may include no more than 6 credits of C.
There are 12 credits of four core courses and 15 credits electives must be taken.
| Course number | Course name | Credits | Taking semester | Prerequisite |
| GGS553 | Geographic Information System | 3 | Fall 2014 | None |
| GGS579 | Remote Sensing | 3 | Spring 2015 | None |
| GGS560 | Quantitative Methods | 3 | Fall 2014 | GGS 416 or permission of instructor |
| GGS689 | Seminar in Geographic Thought and Methodology | 3 | Fall 2015 | GGS 560 |
| GGS590 | Geosocial Media | 3 | Spring 2015 | None |
| GGS563 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 | Spring 2015 | None |
| GGS551 | Thematic Cartography | 3 | Fall 2015 | None |
| GGS653 | Geographic Info Analysis | 3 | Fall 2015 | None |
| GGS685 | Capstone Course Geoinformatics | 3 | Spring 2016 | None |
| GGS799 | Master’s thesis research | 3 | Spring 2016 | None |
Usually, graduate students in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences are free to choose one professor in this department as their advisor and meet with their advisors once a week. Students are not required to declare their choice of the thesis option or comprehensive exam option until they wish to begin the graduation process. The choice should be made in consultation with the student’s advisor, although the Thesis option is frequently preferred.
Since the thesis option is common option, I would like to choose the thesis option for graduation. In this way, I need to complete 3–6 credits of thesis and 12–15 credits of electives. Then I can choose 3-6 credits of GGS799 for thesis credits 1-6 and choose 12-15 credits of electives from 500-799 GGS courses. There is a four stage process for thesis option: 1) Establishing a Thesis Committee, 2) Preparing and Defending the Thesis Proposal, 3) Writing the Thesis, 4) Defending and Submitting the Thesis.
In the next semester, I would like to take the other two core courses immediately to prepare for other classes and to avoid delaying graduation while waiting for a required course. With the four core courses finished, I still need to complete 12-15 credits from 500-799 GGS courses. Since I am very interested in cartography and geosocial media, I plan to take courses like GGS551 Thematic Cartography, GGS 590 section1 Geosocial Media, GGS 563 Advanced Geographic Information Systems, GGS 653 Geographic Information Analysis and GGS 685 Capstone Course Geoinformatics to improve my academic ability for studying in this field.
Geographic information science is an interdisciplinary science widely used in many fields nowadays. It is far from sufficient to just master GIS expertise. Combing and reorganizing knowledge with other discipline is necessary ability for graduate students in Geography and Geoinformation Science. Take myself as an example, I need not only to continue training my GIS skills, but also to learn development and data transmission of geosocial media as well. And making a combination for further geodata analysis and cartography. I have been here two months, I concern that George Mason University is a great place for me to study. It offers high level academic courses for me to study and opportunities for me to communicate with peer scholars who have the same interest from different countries. In future study, I eager to improve my understanding and skills in GIS and involve in current research with professors.