The Blue Book
A Student Handbook to the Rutgers University Graduate Program in Geography

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The Blue Book:
A Student Handbook to the Rutgers University Graduate Program in Geography

(Revised 9/2006)  

GEOGRAPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION:

Department of Geography
Rutgers University
54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue
Piscataway , NJ   08854-8045
Ph:   732/445-4103
Fax: 732/445-0006
url:  http://geography.rutgers.edu/

The Graduate Program in Geography

I. Overview of Graduate Program
Rutgers University is home to the largest and most comprehensive geography graduate program in the New York-Philadelphia region and one of the strongest research programs in the country. Students have opportunities to work with a highly distinguished faculty, access to outstanding research opportunities and facilities, and links with governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and private sector employers at state, national and international levels.

The Graduate Program in Geography (hereafter “the Program”) encourages work on a wide range of research specialties and fosters strong interdisciplinary ties. Specific research topics reflected in the work of our faculty (see Appendix A) include: human geography and social theory - contemporary urban development in advanced economies; urban revitalization and gentrification; grassroots politics; citizenship; democratic theory and practice; housing, residential segregation, and community control of land use; comparative political and economic aspects of urban change and policy; international trade; gender; development; physical geography – climate; snow-cover dynamics; land use and land cover change; invasive species; coastal geomorphology and process-response modeling of beaches and dunes; groundwater and water supply; and environmental geography - human responses to environmental hazards; megacity disasters; human dimensions of global environmental changes; public health and risk communication; institutional and cross-cultural aspects of environmental management; political ecology; environmental justice; forest, fisheries, wildlife, and agro-ecologies.  Each of these core areas may be enhanced through training in advanced geographical techniques - remote sensing, geographic information science and spatial analysis.

Student research and educational opportunities are facilitated through the Geography faculty’s close collaborative links with a number of interdisciplinary research institutes and curricular programs including the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, the Water Resources Research Institute, the Office of the State Climatologist, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Center for Urban Policy Research, the Brownfields Center, the Center for Russian, Central and East European Studies, the Center for African Studies, the Center for Historical Analysis, the Center for the Critical Analysis of Contemporary Culture, and the Grant F. Walton Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis.

Graduates of the program consistently secure top tier faculty appointments at major universities and colleges in Europe and North America , including the

University of Arizona , University of California-Berkeley, University of Brighton ( UK ), the City University of New York , University of Florida , University of Georgia , University of Illinois , Kings College ( UK ), Miami University, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Rhode Island , Syracuse University , Temple University , University of Texas at Austin , and the University of Tennessee . Graduates also hold positions in federal, state, and county governmental agencies, international research institutes, non-governmental organizations, and private firms operating within their areas of specialization.

II. Faculty and Administration
The Graduate Program in Geography is administered from the offices of the Department of Geography on Livingston Campus, Rutgers – New Brunswick .  The 26 Faculty Members in the graduate program consist of members of the “core” Department of Geography faculty and of geographers and other faculty with geographic research interests located elsewhere on the New Brunswick campus.  Full members of the graduate program can teach graduate courses and supervise Master's and Ph.D. research; associate members can teach and serve on students' committees and supervise Master's research.

The Graduate Director is elected for a three-year term by the graduate faculty and is responsible for the administration of the program.  The first person a student should consult on any academic problem is her or his principal advisor (see below).  After this, and for any other problems, the Graduate Director is the main person students should seek out for information, advice and to deal with problems.  Students may also consult various deans in the Graduate School .  An Executive Committee, typically comprised of the outgoing graduate director and Chair of the Geography Department, supports the Graduate Director.  The Graduate Director also works closely with the Chair of the Department of Geography in other areas of mutual responsibility, notably on the appointment of Teaching Assistants (see below).  The Graduate Program Secretary supports the Graduate Director, and can often answer questions and provide forms for students needing to negotiate the bureaucracy.  The Departmental Administrator handles the program’s finances and student personnel issues, particularly as they pertain to Assistantships and Fellowships.

III. Entering the Program
Students are accepted into the Master's and Ph.D. programs in Geography on the basis of outstanding undergraduate records and because their interests match up well with the expertise of one or more of the graduate faculty members in geography at Rutgers.  Based on this affinity, the graduate director assigns all incoming students a principal advisor, also known as the "main advisor" or "chair" (of a student's eventual thesis, exam or dissertation committee).  For a PhD student, an advisor must be a Full member of the Graduate Faculty in Geography; for a Master’s student, the advisor may be either a Full or an Associate member. This assignment is provisional may be changed afterward in consultation with all concerned.  All such changes should be communicated to the graduate director in writing.  

Students in the program should begin consulting with their principal advisors from the time they arrive, working together to determine appropriate general coursework.  All incoming students in geography, whether entering at the Master’s or PhD level, are required to take two courses:  Geography 450:601 “Geographic Perspectives” and 450:602 “Research Design.”  While course work at the graduate level in cognate disciplines is encouraged, at least

12 credit hours counted toward any advanced degree must be in Geography courses (450:xxx).  On rare occasion applicants who have insufficient background in geography or relevant cognate fields may be admitted with the requirement that they successfully complete specified courses to make up their deficiencies. 

Within a year of entering the program, students should assemble a suitable advisory committee (see below), and, working with their advisors, set a timetable and initiate plans for dissertation/thesis research, and/or comprehensive exam preparation.  PhD students should also gradually work toward meeting other professional milestones such as obtaining teaching experience, making professional conference presentations, and publishing research findings in academic journals. 

The Graduate Director normally interviews all incoming students at the end of their first semester in the program to give them a chance to discuss any problems and to ensure that they are making good progress.   In addition to the end-of-first-semester review of first-year students, all students in the program are also evaluated in an "Annual Review" by the graduate faculty in meetings held each spring.  Students are reminded of this review several weeks in advance, and are asked to complete a Self Assessment Form, copies of which they then forward to their advisor and the graduate director. The graduate faculty members in attendance at this meeting review these statements and available student records, and rate all students in the program.  The Graduate Director informs all students of these evaluations in writing.

Students who are making clear progress toward their degrees and have a majority of As in their coursework are likely to be positively rated.  Students more likely to receive negative ratings include those making slow or uncertain progress; those whose records have a majority of Bs and/or any grade of less than B; and students with two or more "temporary" or "permanent" incompletes (see below, under "Incompletes").  No course receiving a C or lower may be counted toward any advanced degree in Geography.  A student receiving a C+ in any course in his/her first 18 credits will be considered marginal in the Program, and will be reviewed with special care. In addition, a student with two or more temporary incompletes on his/her overall graduate record will not normally be allowed to register for additional courses in geography, barring unusual circumstances. Students who are making good progress are congratulated and provided with all possible program support.  If students are not performing adequately, they are informed of their problems and given a specified time to resolve them.  If they do so, they are returned to good standing.  If they do not, they may be terminated from the program after full consultation with themselves, their advisors, their committee members, and the full graduate faculty.  Such decisions can be appealed, either within the graduate program, or in the wider Graduate School .

IV. Degree requirements

A. Degree options
The program offers the following degree options:  Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). [1]   Requirements for the MA and MS degrees are identical; students seeking the Master’s degree may opt for either designation at their discretion. 

Roughly a third of Geography graduate students apply to the Master’s degree program with the intention that the Master’s will be their ultimate, or “terminal” goal.  A second third apply as “PhD-track” Master’s students with the idea that the Master’s degree will serve as a stepping stone toward a Rutgers PhD in Geography.  The remaining students enter the Ph.D. program directly with a Masters degree in hand and may apply to transfer up to 24 credits from graduate courses in geography and related fields taken elsewhere over the last six years (see Transfer of Credit and Admissions procedures below, for more details).  Terminal Master’s students may request a “change of status” and continue studying for the PhD by application to the Graduate Director, who typically assesses the student’s record and consults with relevant program faculty before approving such a change.  Students accepted into the Ph.D. program who do not make satisfactory progress may decide -- or be advised -- to leave with a terminal Master's.

B. Master’s Degree Requirements
Students seeking the MA/MS Degree in Geography must complete a total of 30 credit hours worth of graduate study.  They may pursue the degree via one of two options:  

1) Thesis Option:  by taking 24 credits of course work and six research credits, submitting a thesis written under the supervision of the student's committee, making a public presentation of the thesis, and successfully defending it orally in response to questions prepared by the student's committee. 

2) Exam Option:  by taking 30 credits of course work, submitting a writing sample for approval by the student’s committee, and successfully passing written comprehensive examinations given and evaluated by the student's committee.  The writing sample, typically a revised seminar paper, is expected to be substantial, though considerably less ambitious in scope than a thesis. 

Master’s advisory committees
Normally, after the first semester (or for part time students, after completing 12 credit hours of course work), the student forms an advisory committee, which administers the master’s comprehensive examinations or supervises work on an appropriate thesis topic. Master’s committees consist of three faculty, including the student’s advisor, normally all of whom are Members or Associate Members of the Graduate Faculty of Geography.  For non-thesis students specializing in human geography, one committee member must be a physical geographer, while non-thesis students in physical geography must have one committee member specializing in human geography. The committees of students specializing in geographic techniques (cartography, remote sensing, geographic information systems, spatial statistics) typically have two members with research interests in one or more of these techniques, while the third member is a physical or human geographer.  Students writing a thesis select three faculty whose specializations are relevant to the thesis topic.

M.A./M.S. Thesis
While not as rigorous as a PhD dissertation, the Master’s thesis must, nonetheless, be original and of high conceptual and written quality.  A Master’s thesis can be an effective means of demonstrating a student’s analytical capabilities, and may accordingly constitute an important credential for students interested in eventually pursuing the PhD.  At the same time, undertaking such a lengthy research and writing project may lengthen the time it takes to obtain the degree.  Students should consult with their advisors carefully before deciding which course is most appropriate to their professional goals.  Master’s theses are subject to style and other guidelines detailed in the pamphlet, "Style Guide for Thesis and Dissertation Preparation," available from the Rutgers Graduate School-New Brunswick .  The Program recommends that theses be copyrighted and microfilmed by University Microfilms which will make them available to a wider audience.  

Master’s Comprehensive Examinations:
For the non-thesis option the comprehensive examination normally consists of three written exams, testing the candidate’s general knowledge of the field.  Either a “closed book” three hour exam for each written paper or a 24 hour “open book” exam, sometimes submitted via e-mail are usual.  The written exams are followed by an oral exam at which the written exams and research paper are reviewed.  All four exams are normally taken within a two-week period.

Filing for Candidacy

Note that it is the student’s responsibility to file an application for candidacy for the degree at least two months prior to the time of the final comprehensive examinations.  Forms are available at the Graduate Secretaries office or the Graduate School and are signed by the committee after the examination.  It is also the student’s responsibility to schedule both written and oral examinations with committee members, and arrange a venue for the oral exam (Room B-120 Lucy Stone Hall is customarily used for this purpose.) After successfully completing the exam and obtaining committee members’ signatures, the student must also obtain the approval signature of the Graduate Director and return the form to the Office of the Graduate School .  This should happen soon after the examination and no later than the announced deadlines for completion of degree requirements for any given period.  A bound copy of the thesis or research paper must be presented to the Graduate Director at the time his or her signature is sought.

Time Limits
Masters degrees can be completed within a year and a half of full time study and should be completed within 3 years.  Extensions may be granted on application to the Graduate School for students in good standing.

C. Doctoral Degree Requirements  

The doctoral program in Geography at Rutgers emphasizes preparation for a research-oriented career in academia, public service or the private sector. While most applicants to the PhD program have at least one prior degree in geography, applicants with degrees in other disciplines are nonetheless encouraged to apply.  All such students will be required to enroll in Geography 450:601 “Geographic Perspectives” and 450:602 "Research Design".  Some students may be asked to compensate for other deficiencies in their preparation for the PhD (see coursework above) prior to advancing to candidacy.

The Ph.D. differs qualitatively from bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in its emphasis on research and the dissertation as a major, original contribution to knowledge. Accordingly, the doctoral program in Geography at Rutgers emphasizes preparation in the student’s area  (subfield) of specialization, research as a problem-solving activity, and preparation of research results for publication.

PhD course work
The PhD degree at Rutgers requires 72 credit hours worth of graduate study, including a minimum of 24 research credits.  Students entering the program with prior coursework in geography or cognate fields may apply to have up to 24 credits transferred from other universities. 

Doctoral Qualifying Examination Committee
After completing 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses and seminars beyond the requirements of the M.A. or M.S. degree, students should form the Doctoral Qualifying Examination Committee, normally composed of four members of the Geography Graduate faculty . The chair of the committee must be a full member of the Program. The other members normally conduct research within the student’s area of specialization or in a closely allied field. Where justified, one of these committee members may be an outside member, that is, from another graduate program at Rutgers , or from another university. Independent scholars deemed qualified by the Graduate School may also serve as outsiders. A fifth member may be added to the committee, if such an addition is deemed appropriate by the student and his/her advisor.  The Qualifying Examination Committee is solely responsible for determining whether a candidate has successfully passed the examination. 

Dissertation Proposal
The final step of the precandidacy stage is to prepare a formal dissertation proposal. This detailed document normally contains a thorough review of relevant literature, a statement of the research problem and hypotheses, a justification of how or why the student's specific subject or approach will constitute a significant contribution to the field of geography, a proposed methodology, an outline of the projected document, and a timeline for completion of the various tasks involved in the dissertation.  Typically, much of the proposal is used in the introductory chapter of the dissertation and/or in a grant proposal. Students are encouraged to seek advice from committee members during the process of creating the proposal.

Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination is normally taken when the student has 48 course credits (including those transferred from Master’s degree).  With the prior approval of the Graduate Director, however, it may also be taken during a student’s final semester of coursework.  Under such circumstances, the student may not officially advance to candidacy until suitable grades are posted for any outstanding coursework taken during the term in question. The Qualifying Exam has both written and oral components. Its purpose is to assess the student’s problem-solving skills and whether his or her mastery of the area of specialization is sufficient to conduct dissertation research.  After completing the dissertation proposal the student, in consultation with the major advisor, informs the doctoral committee members and graduate director of his or her readiness to undertake the qualifying examination. Setting the examination timetable in conformity with the schedules of committee members is the responsibility of the student and the committee chair.

Written Exam
The written portion of the Qualifying Examination is used to assess the student’s knowledge of the field and problem-solving abilities in the context of geographical research. Several different written examination formats are possible, at the discretion of the doctoral committee. These may include a single extended research problem prepared by the entire committee, individual papers prepared for separate examiners, or an alternate format approved in advance by the chair of the committee and the Graduate Director.   The most usual format is one general paper and three papers in different specialities related to the student’s dissertation topic.  Either a “closed book” three hour exam for each written paper or a 24 hour “open book” exam, sometimes submitted via e-mail are usual.  The written exams are normally taken within a two week period.

Oral Exam
The oral portion of the Qualifying Examination is administered no later than two weeks after successful completion of the written portion. All parts of the written exam must be passed before the student proceeds to the oral exam. The primary foci of the oral exam are the area of specialization and a thorough discussion of the dissertation proposal; major emphasis is also placed on the student’s response to the written exam. The oral exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. The research advisor and all but one of the remaining members of the examination committee must approve in order for the student to pass the oral examination.  The student brings to the oral examination the Graduate School ’s Application for Admission to Candidacy; if all parts of the Qualifying Examination are passed successfully, members of the Committee and the Graduate Director sign this document and the student advances to candidacy. The signature of the student’s advisor and/or other committee members may be withheld if revisions to the student’s proposal are necessary.  A final copy of the dissertation proposal must also be submitted to the Graduate Director for placement in the student’s files.

Time Limits
The time limit for successful completion of the qualifying examination is three years of full-time study. Two semesters of part time study count as one semester of full-time study with respect to the timetable for qualifying examinations. A student who fails to pass the qualifying examination within the specified time limit is recommended for dismissal from the Ph.D. program. The time limit for completion of the Ph.D. program is seven years after admission to the Graduate Program or four years for those entering the Program with a  master’s degree. Extensions can be obtained, but only through petition to the Graduate School-New Brunswick.

Dissertation Format
Candidates should familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Graduate School pamphlet " Style Guidelines for Thesis and Dissertation Preparation." Beyond the guidelines set forth in that document and the goal of internal consistency with the individual dissertation, the Graduate Program in Geography requires only that the dissertation format be appropriate to the subject and approach. Because the various subdisciplines of geography, as represented by their professional journals, employ very different conventions in matters of format and style, candidates are encouraged to select those consistent with whatever professional outlet is most appropriate for eventual publication of the research.

Dissertation Committee
Prior to completion of the dissertation the doctoral defense committee is formed.  Usually, three members are from those who served on the qualifying exam committee and the fourth must be an “outside member”.  The outside member(s) must hold a Ph.D. from a recognized institution in a cognate field related to the area of specialization. The outside member(s) may be affiliated with another Rutgers department, another institution of higher education, a government agency, or private enterprise.  If the outside member is from another university, the student’s dissertation advisor must send the Graduate Director a letter (or email) providing the member’s name, position and work address. If the outside member is an independent scholar (that is s/he has no formal institutional affiliation), then the advisor must also send a recent copy of the proposed committee member’s curriculum vitae to the Graduate Director. The Graduate Director will then forward the materials to the appropriate Graduate School dean, who will write the member a letter inviting them to serve and thanking them for being willing to do so.  After the advisor and three other committee members have been chosen, one or two other committee members, either inside or outside, can also be added if needed

Dissertation Defense
As the student’s field research and dissertation writing gets substantially underway, the main advisor and other committee members should monitor any progress made, and provide clear and early indications of any reservations they have about the student’s progress -- carefully specifying any changes needed for eventual dissertation acceptance.  When the student and individual members of the doctoral committee judge the dissertation complete and ready to be defended, the student submits a written request to the Chair of the Committee that a defense be scheduled, and drafts of the dissertation are circulated to committee members for their preliminary approval.

After the doctoral committee approves the general content of the dissertation draft, the Graduate Director issues a public notice of the defense. On a specified date, the candidate delivers a formal lecture on the dissertation topic; all members of the public and especially the University community are invited to attend the lecture, to question the candidate, and to discuss or debate all aspects of the dissertation research.  Following the public lecture and discussion, the Doctoral Committee convenes with the candidate in closed session for the defense. Directly after this session, the committee votes whether to accept or to reject the completed dissertation. At least three of the committee members, including the outside member, must concur in this decision.

 The chair of the Doctoral Committee advises the candidate of the defense result immediately after the committee’s deliberations are completed. Any conditions that pertain to completion of the formal dissertation are communicated to the candidate at this time. A candidate who fails a doctoral defense is not normally permitted to schedule another defense. In the case of a successful defense, committee members sign the Graduate School ’s candidacy form and the title page of the dissertation.

The chair of the Doctoral committee informs the Graduate Director, in writing, of the results of the defense. After all required revisions of the dissertation are completed the candidacy form is forwarded to the Graduate Director for final program approval. A bound copy of the dissertation in final form is submitted to the Graduate Director for inclusion in the Program’s library at the time this signature is requested. (This copy is in addition to other copies required by the Graduate School , and those customarily provided to members of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee.)

Filing for Diploma
It is the student’s responsibility to file for conferral of the Ph.D. by the announced deadlines.  Note that the required copies of the dissertation must be filed, the candidacy form recording its result returned by the announced deadline, and the diploma application filed by the appropriate deadline.  Students must be registered to receive the diploma.  Diploma application forms must typically be filed by January 2 (for January graduation), April (for May graduation), or October 1 (for October graduation).

D. Graduate Certificate Programs
Geography faculty members participate in a number of interdisciplinary programs offering graduate certificate programs featuring one of the field’s subdisciplines.  The requirements for obtaining these certificates can be obtained from representatives on our graduate faculty.  Certificates are currently available for concentrated study in Cartography (contact: Michael Siegel, misiegel@rci.rutgers.edu, 445-4054); Geomatics (contact: Richard Lathrop, lathrop@crssa.rutgers.edu, 732-1580, or Lyna Wiggins, lyna@rci.rutgers.edu, 932-3822); Human Dimensions of Global Change (contact: Tom Rudel, rudel@aesop.rutgers.edu, 932-9153, ext. 317, or Bonnie McCay, mccay@aesop.rutgers.edu, 932-9153, ext. 301), Quaternary Studies (contact: David Robinson, drobins@rci.rutgers.edu, 445-4741; or Gail Ashley, gmashley@rci.rutgers.edu, 445-2221), and African Studies (contact: Richard Schroeder, rschroed@rci.rutgers.edu, 445-4019).

V. Other Academic Requirements and Procedures

Registration: (See also the Graduate School ’s handout: Top Ten Registration Errors) All students register on the web.  Details of the courses offered for each term are provided on the web.  After registering, students must activate their registration by paying their term bill in full at the Cashier’s office (306 Administrative Services Building). They should ensure that they submit any of the following that applies to their billing situation: RT100 card (confirms tuition remission, see below), payroll deduction form, or payment plan promissory note. Students with tuition remission are responsible for paying student fees. Cashiers should have a record of any financial aid, but it is always good to have copies of all the relevant documents. In subsequent terms, students can register by telephone using the Rutgers Touchtone Telephone Registration System (732-445-1999), through the Internet (registrar.rutgers.edu), or in person. Students who have an assistantship or fellowship can have student fees, including housing, deducted from their paycheck if they complete the form at the beginning of each semester. Other payment plans are also available.

Special Permission Numbers: If a course is filled, a student must obtain a special permission number to register. The student should first contact the instructor for the course request permission to register. If s/he grants special permission, the Graduate Program Secretary will give the student a special permission number before classes begin, or the instructor will give it once classes have begun.

Add/Drop Period: There is a set period for adding or withdrawing from a course without financial or academic penalties. After this period, students may still withdraw from courses, but their tuition will be affected and a “W” will appear on their transcript. The add/drop deadlines for each semester are posted in the course catalogue and circulated by the Graduate School .

Forms and Documents for the following procedures are available from the Graduate Program Secretary or at the main office of the Graduate School on the College Avenue Campus. Application for Admission to a Graduate Program Upon Completion of Another Graduate Program; Application for Change of Status [between Non-Matriculated, Masters and Ph.D status], Application for Restoration of Active Status; Application for Readmission;  Application for Extension of Time for Incomplete Grades; Application for Extension of Time [to finish a particular degree]; and Graduate Diploma Application.  

Committees: Students' dissertation proposal and dissertation committees (see above) are intended to give them access to scholars with strengths that complement those of their principal advisor, and that are especially appropriate to their intended research.  Advisors and committee members read and critique students' evolving research proposals and results, and are -- as representatives of the graduate faculty as a whole -- the final judges of the quality and acceptability of a student's completed Ph.D. dissertation (or Master's exam or thesis, for students in the Master's program). Committee membership decisions and acceptances should be recorded on the "Advisor and Committee Approval Form" and sent to the graduate director for approval.   

Undergraduate Courses: Graduate students may take up to 12 credits in undergraduate coursework (300 and 400 level courses), with the permission of their advisor and the Graduate Director. Students who have been approved to take such courses for graduate credit should request that a “G” be added to the course when they register. If the “G” needs to be added retroactively, the student must see the graduate director.  

International Students: All international students are strongly encouraged to visit the Center for International Faculty and Student Services (see below) for assistance with employment, immigration, social security numbers and other matters. In addition, as a condition of admission, all international graduate students with TOEFL scores below 233 on the new computer test and 575 on the paper test must take an English language examination and enroll in English as a Second Language courses for E credit. Also, according to new university regulations, all International TAs must schedule an oral language exam, called the SPEAK Test before teaching for the first time.  Students who meet the basic minimum TOEFL requirement for admission, but nonetheless have obvious difficulty with English upon arrival in the country may be required to take the English language examination and enroll for remedial instruction at the discretion of the graduate director.

Non-degree Students:  Students who have not made regular application to the Graduate Program in Geography may take a limited number of courses in Graduate Geography -- no more than 12 credits -- as "Non-degree students," a status available through the Graduate School 's "Non-Degree Graduate Study Office" (732/932-7743).  Interested students must meet with the Graduate Director, and if approved, must request special permission from each course instructor to take courses under this arrangement. Non-degree status does not imply that the student will automatically be approved for admission to the graduate program.  If students enrolled for non-degree credits subsequently apply and are admitted to the Graduate Program in Geography, they may use non-degree credits toward Ph.D. or Master's requirements. 

Non-matriculated students:  On rare occasion, the graduate director may admit a prospective student as a “Non-matriculated student” in Geography.  Under this arrangement, the graduate director signals that the student is likely to gain admission after processing a formal application to the program.  This option is normally used as a recruiting tool to attract qualified applicants who miss the program’s application deadline but express an interest in enrolling for formal credit.  The normal route into the program for students who have not applied for formal admission is nonetheless via the non-degree option.

Transfer of Credits:  Students who have taken graduate courses in Geography or closely related disciplines (e.g. certain fields within Geology or Anthropology) elsewhere in the last six years may apply to transfer up to 24 credits after they have completed 12 credits in the Rutgers Ph.D. program with a B or better. 

Incompletes:  Students unable to complete a particular course by the end of the semester may arrange with the instructor to receive an "Incomplete" ("IN"), which must be made up within a year under Graduate School guidelines.  During this year, these incompletes are referred to as "temporary"; afterwards, they are usually converted (or "abandoned") to "PINs", or "Permanent Incompletes" – and can no longer be made up under ordinary circumstances. More than one Temporary Incomplete signals to the Graduate Program in Geography that a student might not be making adequate progress toward his or her degree.  Two or more Permanent Incompletes signal the same. In addition, a student with two or more temporary incompletes on his/her overall graduate record may not be allowed to register for additional courses in Geography.

Tuition Remission (RT100):  All students with full Graduate Fellowships and full TAs have a right to tuition remission (i.e. they do not have to pay tuition for the courses they take while Fellows or TAs).  In order to claim this right, they must make out an "RT100" form every semester, which they should take with them when they pay their term bills.  RT100 remission can be managed through the Department Administrator for TAs and most Fellowships; for Walter Russell Scholarships or Diversity Fellowships, however, students should work with the appropriate administrator at the Graduate School .

Summer Tuition Remission: Students employed as TAs or GAs for a full academic year may also receive up to 6 credits of tuition remission for the following summer. Fellows do not receive summer tuition remission.

Research Credits:  Generally, students take research credits after they have defended their dissertation proposal and become Ph.D. candidates. Students involved in field research and out of daily contact with their advisors must sign up for at least one research credit per semester.  Students in New Brunswick or elsewhere, working or writing in regular contact with their advisor, should sign up for at least three research credits per semester.  Students who have not yet defended their dissertation proposal may, however, take a limited number of research credits prior to becoming ABD. These credits must be for dissertation-related research only (not independent studies), typically awarded for supervised summer dissertation research to be credited upon completion and reporting in the following fall semester. Students must have 24 research credits by the time they defend their Ph.Ds, so within the above minimum constraints, it is up to them and their advisors to figure out the rate per semester at which they acquire these 24 necessary research credits.

Matriculation Continued:  If a student has circumstances that make it impossible for him or her to be actively involved in coursework or research in a given semester, he or she can register for "Matriculation Continued," which carries no credit, costs less than a research credit -- and keeps the student alive in the program, as it were.  This status is like a total leave of absence, however; students who are doing any work at all, even away from Rutgers and their advisors, should register for one research credit rather than assume “matriculation continued” status.  Normally "matriculation continued" is not granted for more than two semesters.  Seeking it more often may be taken as evidence that a student is not making adequate progress toward a degree.

Remaining "Fulltime" While Taking Only a Few Credits:  Research students signed up for few credits but needing official fulltime status so as not to have to start repaying their education loans before they have finished their educations should submit the Enrollment Certification of Doctoral Students Form, after which all will be well.

Human (and Animal) Subjects Research:     All research with humans or vertebrate animals -- for dissertations, or in more preliminary research, or even for certain class assignments -- must be approved by the University's Institutional Review Board (or "IRB").  This includes participant-observation and interview and questionnaire research for human geographers, and could potentially include research by physical geographers where human impacts are anticipated.  Students should meet with their advisor or the Graduate Director or visit the website of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) (htttp://orsp.Rutgers.edu) for more details.        

Writing a Dissertation:  Before preparing the final draft of a dissertation, students should be sure to obtain the document Style Guide for Thesis and Dissertation Preparation -- and should carefully and meticulously follow these guidelines.  In past years, it is alleged that the width of margins and the location of page numbers have been measured with rulers when dissertations have been submitted to the Graduate School .  Also, no dissertation will be accepted that is signed in a color of ink other than black.

Obtaining a Degree:  The Graduate Program Secretary has checklists of otherthings students must do during the semester they plan to obtain a degree -- Ph.D. or Masters.  Among the most challenging of these is managing the four-page form entitled:  Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of  Philosophy. [2]   This difficult form is mislabeled since it is actually also about completion of Ph.D. candidacy, i.e. about final conferral of a Ph.D. degree. 

Students in the Ph.D. program should first obtain this form and begin making it out (the first page) prior to their proposal defense.  If they pass their proposal defense and "qualifying exams", they should then have their advisor and committee members sign on the second page, section B (section A is for failure).  The top three signatures in section B (or A) should be those of the other committee members; the advisor should sign at the bottom of the section, in his or her own special slot.  All signatures must be in black ink.  This half-complete form is then forwarded to the Graduate Director for signature, a xeroxed copy is placed in the student's file, and the original is then forwarded to the main office of the Rutgers Graduate School .

Several years later, when students have completed their research and written their dissertations, they must reacquire this original form from the Graduate School, add the requested information on courses and credits on the fourth page, and – if they pass -- once again have their entire committee sign Section B of the third page of this form, this time also signing the dissertation itself.  Both should then be sent to the Graduate Director and Dean of the Graduate School , as before.  Students must submit two signed copies of their dissertations to the Graduate School and one to the Graduate Program in Geography.  Students should now be heartily congratulated for having successfully obtained a doctoral degree in Geography from Rutgers University .

Appeals and Grievance Procedure: Per university regulations, a student has the right to appeal any action by an instructor.  S/he should first discuss the matter with the faculty member(s) involved. If the matter cannot be resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student should appeal to the Graduate Director. If the student or other parties to the issue are still dissatisfied, they may appeal in writing to the Graduate Executive Committee. The Graduate Executive Committee will either consider the matter themselves or constitute an ad hoc Committee of Review to resolve the matter. If the complaint is directed against the Graduate Director or another member of the Graduate Executive Committee, those members will participate in the Committee deliberations, but will be excused before the committee votes. If the matter remains unresolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved, it will be referred to the Dean of the Graduate School for final determination.

Students who wish to appeal other matters such as advisor assignments and committee arrangements should first approach the Graduate Director, who will attempt to resolve the matter. If the student or other parties to the issue are still dissatisfied, they may appeal in writing to the Graduate Executive Committee. The Graduate Executive Committee will either consider the matter themselves or constitute an ad hoc Committee of Review to resolve the matter. If the complaint is directed against the Graduate Director or another member of the Graduate Executive Committee, those members will participate in the Committee deliberations, but will be excused before the committee votes. If the matter remains unresolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved, it will be referred to the Dean of the Graduate School for final determination.

VI. Financial Support

Rutgers Fellowships: Top applicants to the Graduate Program in Geography each year compete to receive one of a very limited number of multi-year funding packages available to new students. The standard package offered in Geography is two years of fellowship followed by two years of Teaching Assistantship. During the fellowship years, recipients of these packages receive a living stipend, tuition remission, and campus major medical insurance.  Fellows must complete an RT100 form (see below) to receive tuition remission and register for the Graduate Fellowship (16:450:811) each semester so that the fellowship appears on their transcript.

Bevier Fellowships:  Bevier fellowships are a special category of Rutgers University awards available to approximately 12 doctoral students throughout the University each year to support dissertation write up. By the time of the award, students must have completed all doctoral requirements except the dissertation (including coursework and qualifying exams) and have an approved dissertation proposal. Graduate programs are limited to three nominations for Bevier fellowships per year, and are typically awarded no more than one fellowship. These awards carry a stipend and do not require full-time registration. Bevier fellows may hold other partial appointments concurrently. Applications may be secured from the Geography Graduate Secretary and must be submitted by March 1.

Other Internal Dissertation Fellowships:  Several students in recent years have received partial financial support through being chosen -- on the basis of competitive applications -- graduate student fellows for a year at Rutgers' CCA (Center for Cultural Analysis), IRW (Institute for Research on Women) and RCHA (Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis). 

Teaching Assistantships (TAs):  TA assignments not allocated as part of a multi-year funding package are awarded competitively within the program, in the spring, for the following academic year. Every year the department chair invites interested students in good standing to apply for the remaining TA assignments. To be eligible, applicants need to have completed 12 or more credits of coursework in the program, to have their principal advisor's endorsement, to have no incomplete grades ("INs") on their record, and to have no other means of full support (i.e. someone with an Excellence Fellowship cannot also hold a TA). TA positions provide a stipend, tuition remission and, for those students employed as full-time TAs (that is, for both the fall and spring semesters), health insurance.

Students in the Ph.D. program are typically given preference over students in the Masters Program in this appointment process.  Ranking and selection is based on GPAs (grade point averages in the program), performance in past TA assignments, progress toward degrees, level of participation in the program – and on fit between the needs of a particular assignment and the TA's own training. These particular TA appointments are made on an annual basis.  Being appointed for one year is no guarantee of reappointment the following year.

There is a graduate-program-wide orientation for TAs and a department orientation in late August/early September, and additional workshops on teaching-related matters are sponsored by TAP, the Department and other programs throughout the year.  TAs in Geography may be assigned as sole instructors, co-instructors with another TA, or as assistants to professors/instructors.  Regardless of the nature of the appointment, a TA’s workload should amount to no more than an average of 15 hours a week (which may be more during high-intensity periods of the semester, but should then be less in-between).  TAs are allowed to take a maximum of 10 credits of coursework per term; they sign up for an additional 6E ("empty") credits, under 16:450:877, to indicate the teaching appointment on their transcripts. (E credits are exempt from degree credit and payment, but indicate the time commitment of a TA-ship). In addition, full-year TAs can receive summer tuition remission for up to 6 credits. (See Tuition Remission and Summer Tuition Remission below).

Geography students have been successful in obtaining TA positions in other programs, including the Human Ecology Program, the Freshman Writing Program in the English department, Women's Studies, and Biology. 

Dissertation Teaching Assistantships: In addition to the regular TA assignments described above, the Department also awards a few Dissertation TAs to Ph.D. Candidates. These awards provide a stipend, tuition remission for only 3 credits of research per term (in addition to 6E credits), and health insurance. Dissertation TAships do not include summer tuition remission.

Part-time Lectureships:  Advanced graduate students are sometimes asked to teach individual undergraduate courses for remuneration on a course-by-course basis.  Similar opportunities exist in the Summer School and in the Winter Session of the Summer School.

Grading and Proctoring of Undergraduate Examinations: Occasional work in grading and proctoring is available, for an hourly wage (of approximately $10 per hour). Openings are usually posted via email with appropriate contact information.

Graduate Assistantships (GAs): Some faculty have external grants that provide funding for Graduate Assistantships to support them on their research project. These GAs provide a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. GAs are allowed to take a maximum of 10 credits of coursework per term; they register for 6E (“empty”) credits, under 16:450:866, to maintain their status as fulltime students. In addition, full-year GAs can receive summer tuition remission for up to 6 credits. (See Tuition Remission and Summer Tuition Remission below).  

Special Study Opportunity and Pre-Dissertation Awards: These awards are administered, on a competitive basis, by the Graduate School for predissertation fieldwork, language study, and other opportunities for study or research away from campus that are relevant to a student’s research and training. Geography students have been very successful in obtaining these grants, which in turn have assisted them in securing national awards for their dissertation research. Approximately 20 awards of about $1,500 each are made every year. The deadline for requests for support for each summer is on March 1st of the same year, with subsequent awards, including out-of cycle awards (such as for winter travel), evaluated and made as the remaining funds permit.

Graduate School grants for academic travel: Three times a year, small amounts of money (usually $300 maximum) are available, on a competitive basis, to graduate students from the Graduate School for presenting papers at academic conferences.  Announcements will go out a month before the deadlines including an attached "Conference Travel Support Form".  Students must submit the completed form, which includes an itemization of expenses, to the Graduate Director by the specified deadline. 

Departmental support for academic travel:  The graduate program and Faculty of the Department of Geography sometimes earmarks special funds to support student travel to the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers.  The level of support varies with demand (i.e. the number of students attending the meeting who request support).  In recent years, students not otherwise funded by the graduate school for this purpose have received $100-150 to help offset conference travel expenses.

External Fellowships and Awards: Students are strongly encouraged to apply for external awards to fund their graduate study from the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation, Jacob Javits and other organizations. In addition, students doing field research apply for outside support, and have had considerable success in recent years from such organizations as the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health, Social Science Research Council, Fulbright-Hays, American Association of University Women, Society of Women Geographers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) awards (among others).  Students should consult with the Center for Humanities and Social Science Research (ChaSeR), which is dedicated to assisting graduate students in identifying appropriate sources and applying for external funding (http://chaser.rutgers.edu). The Graduate School provides health benefits for winners of major competitive U.S. and Canadian national fellowships who will be in residence during the coming year. Dean Harvey Waterman handles questions of eligibility.

VII.  Housekeeping

Program Location: Most of the facilities of the Graduate Program in Geography are housed on the second floor of the B-wing of Lucy Stone Hall on Livingston Campus.  The Graduate Director, Department Chair, Graduate Program Secretary, Department Administrator, Cartographer, Computing Unit Specialist, most departmental faculty offices, and computer labs for graduate research and teaching are all located on this floor, as are several classrooms used by faculty for instructional purposes

Students' Locations:  Students should furnish the Graduate Program Secretary with their local phone numbers, their mail addresses and their email addresses – and should try to remember to update these whenever they change.  Students are also encouraged to email new or changed email addresses to the Graduate Director.

Graduate Student Lounge and Mailboxes:  Every graduate student is provided with a mailbox in the Graduate Student Lounge in Room B-231 Lucy Stone Hall, to which regular mail and program and university announcements are distributed on a daily basis, (the latter are also now carried on a variety of listservs and email lists – see below). The official mailing address is on the cover of this Handbook.  The lounge also contains a microwave and refrigerator for use by students, faculty and staff.

Computer accounts:  Students may gain access to departmental computers in individual offices, the graduate research lab and the undergraduate teaching lab by opening a computing account with the computing unit specialist. 

Office space:  All Fellows, Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants and Project Assistants are normally granted office space in the department.  Space permitting, other students may also request office assignments through the Department Administrator.

Xeroxing:  The xerox machine in LSH 252 is restricted for use by TAs, GAs, Faculty and Staff.  Copy cards for use in the copy centers located in all Rutgers libraries may be purchased via vending machines at all libraries or (if a receipt is needed) from the main copy center in Alexander Library on College Avenue Campus.  A Xerox machine accepting coins and copy cards is located outside Lucy Stone Hall B-266 for student use.  

Student Ids:    Student photo IDs can be obtained at the "RU Connection" in the Busch Student Center on the Busch Campus, on a walk-in basis that has proved surprisingly quick and easy -- once one locates and finds one's way to the Busch Student Center .  Students must have registered and paid their term bills prior to applying for their IDs, and have proof that they have done so.

Rutgers NET ID:  To obtain a Rutgers Net ID for e-mail access to computers, labs throughout the campus, transcripts and other critical services, go to http://oit.rutgers.edu/ services/account/quick.html

Geography Listserve/webpage: All graduate students are registered on the Geography Graduate Students Listserve, which is used by the Graduate Director, Graduate Program Secretary, and other faculty to distribute important program announcements. To access the department and graduate program web-page, go to http://geography.rutgers.edu.

Keys:  Keys to outside doors of Lucy Stone Hall, the Graduate Student Lounge and individual offices, must be requested from the Department Administrator.  Both computer labs are accessible through a swipe card security system.  See the computing unit specialist to have your student id card encoded for this purpose.

Building Security:  Thefts have occasionally occurred in Lucy Stone Hall in past years, so students should take care that they not leave offices open and unattended.  Students working in computing labs at night are advised not to admit strangers to the building, and to work with lab doors closed, especially when working alone.

VIII. The Graduate Program As Professional Community

Graduate Geographers Project (GGP):  All graduate students are invited to participate in the activities of the GGP, which elects officers on a yearly basis, draws funds from the university-wide Graduate Student Association (GSA), and organizes and hosts a range of formal and informal events.

Colloquium Series: Every semester the department and the Rutgers Association of Geography Graduate Students jointly sponsor a series of speakers from inside and outside of the department to present their work. The colloquium series is an ideal way to learn about the diversity of Geography, aid in the professional development of students, network with other geographers, and enhance the program as an intellectual community. All students and faculty are therefore strongly encouraged to attend.  

Brown Bag Luncheons:  In addition to the Colloquium Series, the department sponsors weekly brown bag luncheons, at which students and faculty present informal reports and presentations on ongoing research and travel.

IX. Additional Resources

Graduate School Personnel: The office of the Graduate School , located primarily at 25 Bishop Place , offers additional services and resources to graduate students.  To name just some of the key people you might need to contact: Dean Barbara Bender (ext. 2-7747) oversees academic support and student services, including such issues as academic integrity, interpersonal conflict, student life, and the Teaching Assistant Project (TAP, see below). Dean Harvey Waterman (2-7275) oversees matters involving fellowships, scholarships and curriculum. Lisa Estler (2-2286) is the Business Manager; she coordinates all budgets and financial matters, including those regarding fellowships, tuition, and tuition waivers. Barbara Sirman (2-8122) is the Administrator for Degree Certification, and coordinates the certification of degrees, dissertation format, student files, grade changes, and status changes.

Graduate Student Association (GSA): The Graduate Student Association, of which all graduate students are automatically members, sponsors a variety of social and cultural activities for graduate students and represents their interests to the University and agents of the State through its legislative body. The GSA sponsors films, mixers, dances, theater trips to New York , lectures, intramural athletics, and community action programs. The GSA represents individual students in difficulties with departments or administrative offices of the University and has increasingly assumed a lobbying role to speak for graduate student needs in such areas as housing, tuition policy, and financial aid.

Teaching Assistant Project: All TAs and other interested graduate students are encouraged to become involved with the Teaching Assistant Project (TAP), run by the Graduate School . TAP is designed to promote excellence in undergraduate and graduate education at Rutgers . It offers an orientation for new TAs, workshops and courses throughout the year on teaching-related matters; confidential helpline (932-11TA) available from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday; videotaping and evaluation of TA performance for feedback and improvement; the TA Liaison Committee; and an array of publications. For more information visit their website at http://taproject.rutgers.edu.

Center for International Faculty and Student Services: The Center coordinates services for international faculty, staff, students and scholars, It assists with all matters of special concern to them and serves as a referral source to other university offices and academic departments. Center staff members provide direct support with employment, immigration, and personal, family, financial and health care matters. In addition, the Center sponsors a variety of programs throughout the year, sponsors an orientation program and publishes a newsletter. Students may contact the Center at (732) 932-7015.  

Career Services: When students are nearing graduation, they may want to consult with one of the three Career Services offices to help plan their future. Career Services has offices on three campuses, at the Busch Campus Center (445-6127), College Avenue Campus (932-7997, 46 College Ave ) and on the Douglass Campus (932-9742, 61 Nichol Avenue ). They hold regular sessions on resume and CV writing, have the Chronicle of Higher Education available, and hold numerous workshops.

Counseling Services: Rutgers University provides free counseling to graduate students who are enrolled full time, or who pay the health care fee. There is a wide range of services available, including psychological counseling, peer counseling, and referral services. These programs are professionally staffed. For Douglass Campus services, call 732/932-9070 (Federation Hall); for Livingston Campus, call 732/445-4140 (Tillett Hall), and for College Avenue Campus, call 732/932-7884 ( 50 College Avenue ).

X. Graduate Program Faculty - 2005  

DIRECTOR

Robin Leichenko, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State , 1997, Associate Professor - economic geography; urban and regional development; international trade

CORE FACULTY (core teaching faculty in the geography department, who are automatically members of the graduate faculty in geography):

Roger C. Balm, Ph.D., Rutgers , 1996, Instructor – visual culture of geography, history of exploration, art images as evidence. [Associate Member of the Graduate Program]

Robert M. Hordon, Ph.D., Columbia , 1970, Associate Professor - water resources, physical geography

J. Kenneth Mitchell, Ph.D., Chicago, 1973, Professor - human response to environmental hazards; environmental policy and planning; global environmental change

Joanna Regulska, Ph.D., Colorado , 1982, Professor - urban policy, political, Central and East European restructuring, gender

David A. Robinson, Ph.D., Columbia , 1984, Professor and N.J. State Climatologist - climatology, climate change, snow dynamics

Laura Schneider, Ph.D., Clark, 2003, Assistant Professor - integrated land change science, remote sensing, GIS, invasive species and Latin America .

Richard Schroeder, Ph.D., California-Berkeley, 1993, Associate Professor - development and underdevelopment, political ecology, Africa , agriculture, gender

Kevin St. Martin, Ph.D., Clark University , 1999, Assistant Professor - economic geography, cartography and GIS, resource geography

 

ADDITIONAL GRADUATE FACULTY (faculty members whose teaching responsibilities are not in the core geography department, but whose training and research interests qualify them as full members of the graduate faculty in geography):

Gail M. Ashley, Ph.D., British Columbia , 1977, Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Quaternary Studies - Quaternary, sedimentology, glacial geomorphology, environmental planning

Michael R. Greenberg, Ph.D., Columbia , 1969, Professor - environmental health, mathematical models

H. Briavel Holcomb, Ph.D., Colorado , 1972, Professor - urban redevelopment, gender issues and tourism

David M. Hughes, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 1999, Assistant Professor – political ecology, development, conservation, colonialism, Southern Africa

Robert W. Lake , Ph.D., Chicago, 1981, Professor - urban and political geography, environmental policy, locational conflict

Richard G. Lathrop, Ph.D., Wisconsin-Madison, 1988, Associate Professor - remote sensing, geographic information systems, landscape ecology

Bonnie J. McCay, Ph.D., Columbia , 1976, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, Human Ecology - Common property and social theory, fisheries, conservation, North Atlantic

Kathe Newman, Ph.D., CUNY, 2001, Assistant Professor - urban politics, urban

       revitalization, gentrification and community development.

George H. Nieswand, Ph.D., Rutgers , 1970, Professor - land, water and agricultural resources; environmental systems

Karl F. Nordstrom, Ph.D., Rutgers , 1975, Professor - coastal geomorphology

Frank J. Popper, Ph.D., Harvard, 1972, Professor - land use and environmental policy, natural resources management, American regional development

Jasbir Puar, Ph.D., University of California-Berkley, 1999, Assistant Professor - transnational, gender and sexuality, diaspora and postcoloniality, South Asian cultural studies, queer theory, tourism studies

Edward Ramsamy, Ph.D., Rutgers, 2001, Assistant Professor – development, social theory, race, culture and identity, Southern Africa .

Thomas Rudel, Ph.D., Yale, 1977, Professor - Latin America , environment, development

Dona Schneider, Ph.D., Rutgers , 1988, Professor - medical, public health

David Tulloch, Ph.D., Wisconsin -Madison, 1997, Associatet Professor - geo-spatial technologies; environmental and land use planning

Lyna Wiggins, Ph.D., U California-Berkeley, 1981, Associate Professor -GIS, planning methods, computer applications in planning

STAFF:

Elaine Gordon, Administrator

Betty Ann Abbatemarco, Graduate Secretary

Michelle Martel, Computing Unit Computing Manager Specialist

Michael Siegel, M.L.S., Rutgers , 1983, Cartographer

EMERITUS FACULTY:

John E. Brush

Norb Psuty

Peter O. Wacker

[1] A Master of Philosophy, or M.Phil., degree is also available through the program.  Students interested in the M.Phil., which is awarded to students who have completed all requirements for the PhD except the dissertation, should consult appropriate sections of the Graduate Catalog.