Geography Student Handbook

"The 2025–2026 Blue Book"

A comprehensive  guide to the Rutgers University Graduate Program in Geography.

Useful links:

School of Graduate Studies New Brunswick (SGS):Grad Forms
School of Graduate Studies New Brunswick (SGS) Personnel: https://grad.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us
 

 Table of Contents

Geography Faculty and Staff Directory 
1. Overview of the Graduate Program
2. Faculty and Administration
3. Entering the Program and Degree Progress Monitoring , IDP
4. Degree Requirements
 - A. Master of Arts/Master of Science Degree Requirements
 - B. Doctoral Degree Requirements
5. Other Academic Requirements and Procedures
6. Financial Support-Fellowships, Awards, Teaching Assistantships
7. Housekeeping
8. The Graduate Program as a Professional Community, GGP
9. Additional Resources 
10. Geography Graduate Program Faculty

FACULTY AND STAFF DIRECTORY

Graduate Program in Geography

1. Overview of the Graduate Program

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 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; globalization; 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 agroecology. 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 Historical Analysis, the Center for Cultural Analysis, the various area studies centers and programs on campus, and the Grant F. Walton Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis.

Graduates of the Program have secured faculty appointments at major universities and colleges in Europe and North America, including the
University of Arizona, University of California at Berkeley, University of Brighton (UK), University of British Columbia, the City University of New York, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hong Kong, University of Illinois, Kings College London, Miami University, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Rhode Island, Syracuse University, Temple University, the University of Tennessee, and University of Texas at Austin. 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. (up to Table of Contents)

2. 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 Program has a total of 28 faculty members. They consist of 9 members of the “core” Department of Geography faculty and 19 faculty members with geographic research interests located in other schools and departments, including the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and the Departments of Africana Studies; Anthropology; Art History; Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources; Human Ecology; Landscape Architecture; and Latino and Caribbean Studies.
Full members of the graduate program can teach graduate courses and supervise Master's and PhD research; associate members can teach graduate courses, supervise Master’s research, and serve on PhD committees.

The Graduate Program Director is elected for a three-year term by the graduate faculty and is responsible for the administration of the program. Students should initially contact their principal advisors regarding any academic or personal issues. After that, the GPD can be contacted for any additional information and advice. Students may also consult various deans in the School of Graduate Studies-New Brunswick, (hereafter “SGS”). An Executive Committee, typically comprised of the outgoing GPD and Chair of the Geography Department, supports the GPD. The GPD also works closely with the Chair of the Geography Department in other areas of mutual responsibility, notably on the appointment of Teaching Assistants (see below). The Graduate Program Administrative Assistant (AA) supports the GPD and can assist with answering questions and helping to negotiate administrative procedure. The Department Administrator handles the Program’s finances and expenses, particularly as they pertain to assistantships and fellowships. (up to Table of Contents)

3. Entering the Program and Degree Progress Monitoring
Students are accepted into the Master's and Doctoral 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 the Program. Based on this affinity, the GPD assigns all incoming students a principal advisor, also known as the "main advisor" or " chair" (of a student's eventual thesis, qualifying 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 either be a full or an associate member. This assignment is provisional and may be changed, in consultation with all concerned parties, and should be communicated in writing (or via email) to the GPD and (AA).

Students in the program should begin consulting with their principal advisors from the time they arrive in the Program, working to determine appropriate general coursework. All new geography PhD and Master’s students are required to take two courses: Geography 450:601 “Geographic Perspectives” and 450:602 “Research Design.” Students should enroll in “Geographic Perspectives” during their first semester in the program. New terminal Master’s students and PhD students who hold a Master’s degree should enroll in Research Design during their second semester in the program. Incoming PhD students who do not hold a Master’s degree should enroll in Research Design during their 4th semester (i.e., during the second semester of their second year in the program). While coursework 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 the first year in the program, students should work with their advisors to set a timetable and initiate plans for dissertation/thesis research, and/or qualifying exam preparation. PhD students should also gradually work toward meeting other professional milestones such as obtaining teaching experience, making professional conference presentations, and applying for external fellowships.

Individual Development Plan: To facilitate academic progress and communication with their advisor, all students are requested to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) annually through the School of Graduate Studies, New Brunswick. The IDP serves as a mechanism for students to keep track of progress toward degree and associated professional goals, and to maintain an updated list of Committee Members and professional goals. Students are expected to update their IDP each fall by the second Friday of October and upon major changes in study plan. IDPs are created and maintained here: https://sgs-studentidp.rutgers.edu.

The Graduate Program Director typically meets with all incoming students during the second semester in the program to discuss academic progress. In addition to this informal review of first-year students, all students in the program also undergo an “annual review” by the graduate faculty each spring. Students are reminded of this review several weeks in advance and are asked to submit a “Self- Assessment” report and forward it to their advisor, the GPD and Graduate AA. The graduate faculty members meet to review these statements, along with students’ records, and evaluate all students in the program. The GPD informs all students of these evaluations in writing around the time of the conclusion of the academic year.

Students who are making clear progress toward their degrees and have a majority of As in their coursework are likely to be positively rated. They are congratulated and provided with all possible program support. Students more likely to receive negative ratings include those making slow or uncertain progress; those whose records have a majority of Bs or any grade less than B; and students with two or more "temporary" or "permanent" incompletes (see below, under "Incompletes"). Courses that receive a grade of C or lower may not 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. If students are not performing adequately, they are informed of this and given a specified time to resolve any issues. 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 their advisors, their committee members, and the full graduate faculty. Such decisions can be appealed, either within the Program or SGS. (up to Table of Contents)

4. Degree Requirements
The program offers the following degree options: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)¹. The requirements are identical for the MA and MS degrees; students seeking a terminal Master's degree of either designation (MA or MS) may opt for the degree of their choice at their discretion. As of fall 2008, students seeking a PhD are eligible to enter the PhD program without first obtaining a Master's degree. PhD students who do not hold a Master’s degree may obtain the MA/MS upon completion of their PhD qualifying exams. These students must file for the MA/MS two months prior to their PhD qualifying exams, as per the degree instructions.

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. 

In a typical year, we anticipate that roughly a third of Geography graduate students will enter the Master’s degree program with the intention that the Master’s will be their ultimate or “terminal” goal. The other two-thirds will enter the PhD program. Those entering the PhD program with a Master's degree in hand 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).
Terminal Master’s students who wish to obtain a PhD may apply for a “change of status.” This application will be evaluated by the GPD and the admissions committee, who typically assess the student’s record and consult with relevant program faculty before approving such a change. Applications for change of status must be submitted by February 1 in order for the change to take effect by the start of the following fall semester. Students who are accepted into the PhD program but do not make satisfactory progress may be advised – or may elect – to shift to the terminal Master's degree track during their first or second year in the program.

A. MASTER OF ARTS/MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students seeking the MA/MS Degree in Geography must complete a total of 30 credit hours 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
After the first semester (or for part-time students, after completing 12 credit hours of coursework) 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 a total of three faculty members, including the student’s advisor, all of whom are members or associate members of the Geography graduate faculty. Students writing a thesis select three faculty members whose specializations are relevant to their thesis topic. Non-thesis students select three faculty members whose specializations reflect the student’s broad research interests and desired areas of specialization.

MA/MS Thesis
Complete instructions and information including Candidacy Form, Deadline Dates, Diploma Application and Filing for Degree, Style Guide for Thesis, etc., can be found on the SGS website: Master's Degree with Thesis Checklist
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 degree. Students should consult with their advisors carefully before deciding whether a thesis is appropriate to their professional goals. The Program also recommends that theses be copyrighted.

MA/MS Non-Thesis
Complete instructions and information including Candidacy Form, Deadline Dates, Diploma Application and Filing for Degree, etc., can be found on the SGS website:
Master's Degree without Thesis Checklist

Master’s Comprehensive Examinations
For the non-thesis option, the comprehensive examinations typically consist of three written exams, testing the candidate’s general knowledge of three different areas or subfields of Geography. Each written exam is overseen by a separate faculty member. Written exam formats are typically a “closed-book,” three-hour exam or a 24-hour “open book” exam. In either case, the candidate responds in written form to questions set by the committee member administering each respective exam. The written exams are followed by an oral exam at which the written exams and the writing sample are reviewed by the committee. The three written exams are normally taken within a two-week period, to be immediately followed by the oral exam with the full committee. The Qualifying exam form can be found on the SGS website: Master's Degree Candidacy Form

Filing for Candidacy: MA/MS Degree
It is the student’s responsibility to file an application for degree candidacy at least two months prior to the time of the final comprehensive examinations. It is also the student’s responsibility to schedule both written and oral examinations with committee members and to arrange a venue for the oral exam. You may reserve room B-120 Lucy Stone Hall through the Graduate AA.

PLEASE NOTE: The student should bring the Master's Degree Candidacy Form to the defense to obtain signatures from the committee members and GPD, after which a copy is given to the Geography Graduate AA. The original must be submitted via email to the Graduate School, as per the instructions on the form. This should happen soon after the examination and no later than the announced deadline dates for completion of degree requirements for any given period. A bound copy of the thesis or research paper must be presented to the GPD at the time his or her signature is sought. An electronic version of the thesis abstract must be submitted via email to the GPD prior to the time of signature.

Time Limits
Master's degrees typically take two years to complete, but can be completed within a year-and-a-half of full-time study. It should be completed within 3 years. Extensions may be granted for students in good standing with GPD review and approval.

B. 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. All students must complete 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 PhD differs qualitatively from bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in its emphasis on research, with the dissertation serving 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 evidence of readiness for scholarly publication.

PhD coursework
The PhD degree at Rutgers requires 72 credit hours 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 upon completion of 12 credits of graduate-level coursework with grades of B or better in SGS as a matriculated student. Students must complete and submit the Transfer of Credit Application first to the GPD for review and then to the Graduate AA for submission to the SGS for approval.

Doctoral Qualifying Examination Committee
After completing 36 credit hours of graduate-level courses and seminars (for students holding an MA/MS, 24 of these credit hours should be transferred from their prior degree) students should form the Doctoral Qualifying Examination committee. This committee is 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, someone from another graduate program at Rutgers, or (in rarer cases) from another university. Independent scholars deemed qualified by SGS may also serve as outside members. 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 qualifying examination and advanced to doctoral candidacy.
Students are to use the PhD Committee Form to invite faculty to join their Qualifying Examination Committee. Once all Committee members have added their names to the form, it is approved and filed by the Graduate Program Director (GPD). Any subsequent changes to the Dissertation Committee, which examines the final doctoral dissertation are to be made to this form and approved by the dissertation advisor and GPD.

For PhD students who do not hold a Master's (MA) degree, the qualifying exam will also serve as the MA comprehensive exam. These students must bring both the MA and PhD candidacy forms to the exam. The committee will sign both forms upon successful completion of the exam.

Qualifying Examination
The PhD Qualifying Exam Form can be downloaded and printed from the SGS Website Forms Page. This form is to be used on two occasions, first at the time you take your qualifying examinations and then again at your final defense.
The doctoral qualifying examination is typically taken after the student has completed 48 course credits (including those transferred from a Master’s degree). For students entering the program with a prior Master’s degree (or equivalent graduate degree), the qualifying exams should typically be taken during their 4th semester in the program (i.e., during spring semester of their second year). For students entering the program without a prior Master’s (or equivalent degree), the qualifying exams should typically be taken during the 6th semester in the program (i.e., during spring semester of their third year). While the exam is usually taken after all coursework is completed, the exam may 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 cannot be taken while any “Incompletes” remain on the record.

The qualifying exam has both written and oral components. Its purpose is to assess the student’s problem-solving skills and mastery of field knowledge appropriate for conducting dissertation research. There are three main components, the dissertation proposal, the written exams, and an oral exam. Setting the examination timetable in conformity with the schedules of the committee members is the responsibility of the student and their advisor, who also serves as the qualifying exam committee chair. Exams should be scheduled by May 15 (and preferably by April 30) of any academic year.

Written Exams
The written portion of the doctoral qualifying examination is used to assess the PhD student’s knowledge of the field and problem-solving abilities in the context of geographical research. The student is to submit a written exam for each of their committee members (4), based on questions set by each committee member in relation to the defined examination field (usually a defined reading list agreed upon with each respective committee member). Alternative written examination formats are possible, but must be set by the qualifying exam committee with the approval of the GPD in advance. Standard written exam formats include a “closed-book,” three-hour exam or an eight-hour, “open-book” exam. The written exams are normally taken within a two-week period.

Oral Exam
The oral portion of the doctoral qualifying examination is administered no more than two weeks after successful completion of the written exams. All parts of the written exam must be completed before the student proceeds to the oral exam. The oral exam takes place over three hours and is split up between (i) questions related to the student’s subject specialization (the exam fields and reading lists), including follow-up on the written exams, and (ii) a thorough discussion of the dissertation proposal (see below). The oral exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. The dissertation advisor and all but one of the remaining members of the examination committee must approve the qualifying exam in order for the student to pass and advance to candidacy. The student must bring to the oral examination the PhD Qualifying Exam Form. If all parts of the doctoral qualifying examination are passed successfully, members of the committee and the GPD sign this document and the student advances to candidacy. Students should refer to the instructions on the front of the candidacy form for signature requirements and e-filing submission information. The signature of the dissertation advisor and/or other committee members may be withheld if revisions to the student’s proposal are required before the exam is passed. The student has 30 days after the proposal defense to make final revisions and receive approval and signatures from the full committee. A final copy of the dissertation proposal must also be submitted to the GPD 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 in the Program. 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 PhD program. The time limit for completion of the PhD program is seven years after admission to the Program. Under some circumstances, extensions can be obtained, but only through written petition to SGS by completing the Extension of Time form, which may be requested from the Graduate AA.

Dissertation Proposal
In consultation with their advisor, students must prepare a detailed dissertation research proposal, to be shared with the dissertation committee with adequate time to read the document (typically three weeks) prior to the scheduled Oral Exam, and ideally prior to the Written Exams. The dissertation proposal typically contains 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, a thorough review of relevant literature, an outline of expected findings, and a timeline for completion of the various tasks involved in the dissertation. Students are encouraged to seek advice from their committee members during proposal drafting.

Dissertation Format
Candidates should familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Thesis and Dissertation Style Guide available through the SGS website.
Beyond the guidelines set forth in that document and the goal of internal consistency, the Program requires only that the dissertation format be appropriate to the subject and methods applied in the course of the research. Because the various sub-disciplines of geography, as represented by their professional journals, employ 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 dissertation committee is formed. These committees must have a minimum of four members, three from the Geography Graduate Faculty, typically chosen from among those who served on the qualifying exam committee, and one “external member.” The PhD Committee Form used to form the Doctoral Qualifying Examination Committee (see above) should be updated to reflect the composition of the Dissertation Committee. The external member(s) must hold a PhD from a recognized institution in Geography or a field related to the area of specialization. The external member(s) may be affiliated with another Rutgers department, another institution of higher education, a government agency, or private enterprise and never have been a member of the Graduate Faculty. If they are from another university, the student’s dissertation advisor must provide the GPD with the member’s name, position and work address. If the external member is an independent scholar (with no formal institutional affiliation), then the advisor must also send a recent copy of the proposed committee member’s curriculum vitae to the GPD for approval. The GPD will then forward the materials to the appropriate SGS dean, who will approve the scholar’s status as a committee member. The external member’s name and contact information is provided to the Graduate AA who will forward this to the SGS so they can send a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement for serving as an external member after the completion of the degree. Additional doctoral dissertation members can be added beyond the four-person minimum with approval from the doctoral advisor and GPD.

Dissertation Defense
PhD Candidacy Form: The student should download and bring the Application for Candidacy for the PhD Degree form to the defense. Instructions for submission are provided on the front of the form.
Reserving a room: The student may reserve LSH-B120 by sending a request to the Graduate AA.
Web conferencing/ZOOM: For virtual access to the defense, the student may set up a virtual meeting through Zoom. Information on setting up an account and creating a meeting can be found on ZOOM.
Digital Signatures/DocuSign: Committee members may use verifiable digital signatures, as per the SGS note below. For information on how to set up an account and use DocuSign, visit OIT DocuSign.

A note on virtual defenses from the SGS: The School of Graduate Studies will permit remote defenses for candidates and their committee members, although the Graduate Faculty strongly prefer in-person defenses where at all possible. We strongly suggest that you use the DocuSign system to obtain digital signatures on the forms. DocuSign is Rutgers’ chosen secure electronic signature system to replace paper-intensive processes.

As the student’s field research and dissertation writing gets substantially underway, the main advisor and other committee members should monitor progress and provide clear and early indications of any reservations they have about the direction of the research, carefully specifying any changes needed for eventual dissertation acceptance. When the student and individual members of the doctoral committee judge the dissertation to be complete and ready to be defended, the student is to request to their advisor/Dissertation Chair, that a defense be scheduled, at which point a complete draft of the dissertation is to be circulated to committee members for review.

After the doctoral committee approves the general content of the dissertation draft, the student should notify the GPD and the Graduate AA of the title, date and location of the defense so that a public notice of the defense can be made. It is also the student's responsibility to arrange a venue for the oral exam. Reserving LSH-B120 may be made through the Graduate AA as noted above.

On a specified date, the candidate provides a formal lecture on the dissertation topic; 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 a closed session of 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 Dissertation 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 form.

The Chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee informs the GPD in writing of the results of the defense. After all required revisions of the dissertation are completed, the signed and completed Candidacy form is provided to the GPD for final program approval.
After a successful defense, it is the student’s responsibility to submit the completed and signed Candidacy form as follows: (A PDF copy is also to be emailed to the GPD and Graduate AA.
SGS Instructions:
• You must send ALL of your requirements together in one email before the deadline
• You must send your attachments in PDF format
• Email only when you have all of the required materials completed
• Please DO NOT send multiple emails with pieces of the checklist
• Send your complete submission to: SGS Admin

PhD Degree Checklist
You are not eligible to receive your degree until all of the requirements have been met. Review the full requirements checklist and degree material deadline dates at Checklist for Ph.D. Degree.

Students must be registered for the same semester that they are to receive their diploma. It is the student’s responsibility to file for conferral of the PhD by the announced deadlines. Refer to the Checklist for Ph.D. Degree for important deadline dates.

Publishing Agreement and Dissertation Submission
All theses and dissertations must be submitted electronically through the online RUetd Submission System Complete the ProQuest Publishing Agreement form online and upload your dissertation.

Refer to the ETD Instructions on the SGS Checklist for Ph.D. Degree website.

RU Core (Rutgers University Community Repository)
Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) will be preserved and made permanently available in the RUcore. This enables researchers throughout the world to have access to the information through Rutgers.

Thesis and Dissertation Workshops
The Office of Academic Services, through SGS, offers Professional Development Workshops for students who plan to file for graduation. Additional information can be found on the SGS website. (Table of Contents)

5. Other Academic Requirements and Procedures
Registration
Continuing students may use WEBREG, the online registration system, to register for classes.
The Office of the Registrar provides useful links and registration information for graduate students, fall and spring graduate registration calendars, grades and transcripts, class schedules, NetID and RUID information, as well as registration information for new admits.
Note: It is recommended that new students wait until orientation and also consult with the GPD prior to registering for their first semester.

Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashiering
The office of student accounting, billing and cashiering provides access to your online term bill, processes refunds, administers payment plans, and can assist you with issues that arise with your student account. To activate your registration, you must pay your term bill. To make payments and review your term bill online, go to the Student Accounting website at: Student Accounting and Billing.

Graduate School Academic Calendar
For more information on registration and a list of important deadline dates, add/drop period, etc. refer to the Graduate School Academic Calendar Registrar's Office, Academic Calendar

Forms and Documents
Since forms are regularly updated by the Graduate School, it is advised that you download the most current and up-to-date forms online, rather than requesting them from the department. Students will find a complete list of all the pertinent graduate school forms on the SGS website under FORMS.

Committees
Students' qualifying exam and doctoral dissertation committees 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 PhD 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 GPD for approval.

Time for review and assessment
The Program follows the general rule suggested by SGS regarding lead time that students allow for review of theses and dissertations and the response time for faculty members to inform students of such assessments and for providing feedback. The general rule as stated by SGS is that material should be submitted by the student at least two weeks before an examination or other deadline and at least two weeks (but typically not more than four weeks) should be allowed the faculty member for informing students of the assessment.
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 GPD, that can be counted toward their graduate course credit count. 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 GPD.

International Students
All international students should visit the International Student and Scholar Services within Rutgers Global for guidance and 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 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 GPD.

Non-Degree Students
Students who have not completed a 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.” Interested students must meet with the GPD, 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 PhD or Master's requirements.

Non-Matriculated Students
On rare occasion, the GPD may admit a prospective student as a “Non-matriculated student” in Geography. Under this arrangement, the GPD 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 Anthropology, City Planning, History, or Sociology for Human Geographers and Engineering or Geology for Physical Geographers) elsewhere in the last six years may apply to transfer up to 24 credits after they have completed 12 credits in the Rutgers PhD program with a B or better. The student must complete the Transfer of Credit Application found on the SGS FORMS Page.

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 SGS guidelines to maintain good standing in the program. 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 their degree. Two or more PINs signal the same. In addition, a student with two or more temporary incompletes on their overall graduate record may not be allowed to register for additional courses in Geography.

Tuition Remission
All students with full Graduate Fellowships and full Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are entitled to receive tuition remission which will cover tuition costs while Fellows, TAs, or GAs, subject to the limitations outlined in your offer letters. In order to receive tuition remission students must register for credits as noted in the Geography Program Fellowships section. The remission will automatically be credited to your bill. This can take up to several weeks after the start of the semester, but please keep an eye on your billing to ensure proper crediting. Students receiving outside fellowships should work with the appropriate administrator at the Graduate School.

Student fees
Most student fees are covered for students with full Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs). Students with Graduate fellowships are required to pay student fees each semester. Students can arrange a payment plan each semester to have these fees deducted from their Fellowship payroll. Additional information may be found on the TA/GA/Fellows Tuition Remission site.

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
Research credits are generally taken after students have defended their dissertation proposal and become PhD candidates. PhD candidates involved in field research and out of daily contact with their advisors must register for at least one research credit per semester. Students in New Brunswick or elsewhere, working or writing in regular contact with their advisor, should register 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 advancing to candidacy. These credits must be for dissertation-related research only (not independent studies), typically awarded for supervised dissertation research. Students must have 24 research credits by the time they defend their PhDs, so within the above minimum constraints, it is up to them and their advisors to determine the rate per semester to acquire these 24 necessary research credits.

Matriculation Continued
If a student has circumstances that make it impossible to be actively involved in coursework or research in a given semester, they can register for "Matriculation Continued” through the Registrar. This carries no credits, costs less than a research credit, and maintains the student’s degree status in the program. This status is similar to 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. Matriculation continued is not typically granted for more than two semesters. Seeking it for a longer period may be taken as evidence that a student is not making adequate progress toward a degree.

Remaining "Fulltime" While Taking less than 4.5 credits
Although the federal regulations governing financial aid require registration of at least 4.5 credit hours, special consideration may be granted under certain conditions to doctoral students working on their dissertation. The following criteria established within the parameters of government regulations allows those students who meet certain requirements to be considered at least half-time equivalent for the purpose of loan deferment. PhD Candidates wishing to be considered full-time while taking reduced credits should complete Enrollment Certification for Doctoral Students form found on the SGS Grad Forms page.

Human (and Animal) Subjects Research
All research with humans or vertebrate animals – for dissertations, theses, 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 GPD or visit the website of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) for more details. All IRB applications are submitted through the electronic Institutional Review Board (eIRB) portal, and graduate student applications must be signed and approved through their portal by their advisor.

Appeals and Grievance Procedure
Per university regulations, a student has the right to appeal any action by an instructor. The student 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 GPD. 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 GPD 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 School of Graduate Studies for final determination.
Students who wish to appeal other matters such as advisor assignments and committee arrangements should first approach the GPD, 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 School of Graduate Studies for final determination. (up to Table of Contents)

6. Financial Support – Fellowships, Awards, Teaching Assistantships

Geography Program 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 four years of support for those who have already completed a master’s degree or five years of support for those with no prior master’s degree. These awards usually come as a mix of fellowships and teaching or graduate assistantships (TA or GA), typically with a fellowship in year 1. During the fellowship years, recipients of these packages receive a stipend and tuition remission. Fellows must register for Graduate Fellowship (16:450:811) each semester so that the fellowship appears on their transcript. TAs must similarly enroll for Teaching Assistantship (16:450:877) credits each semester.

Other Rutgers Dissertation Fellowships
Several students in recent years have received partial financial support through being chosen as graduate fellows for a year at Rutgers' CCA (Center for Cultural Analysis), IRW (Institute for Research on Women) and RCHA (Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis). The Rutgers GradFund (SGS’s graduate fellowship office) also offers limited numbers of Graduate Assistantships providing full tuition remission and a standard GA salary each year. Details are circulated by GradFund via the GPD each spring.

University and Bevier Fellowships
The School of Graduate Studies awards University and Louis Bevier Dissertation Completion Fellowships each academic year. All SGS doctoral candidates are eligible to apply. These awards are designed to provide support during a doctoral candidate’s final year of dissertation work. The award is intended to support degree completion and recognize excellence. Fellows receive a $25,000 stipend, health insurance (if needed) and tuition remission for up to 2 research credits per semester (no more than 4 for the academic year). Fellows may not hold other full-time awards concurrently with University and Louis Bevier Fellowships. As such, preference will be given to students who can demonstrate that they do not have promised funding for the applicable academic year or for students who can demonstrate that by foregoing a teaching assistantship, the fellowship will allow them to concentrate fully on completing their dissertations. Details are circulated by the SGS via the GPD in early spring each year, with a deadline typically in early March.

Geography Program Awards and Conference Travel Awards
The GPD and faculty of the Department of Geography sometimes allocates special funds to support student travel to the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers and other conferences. The level of departmental support varies with demand and available funds. In order to be eligible for these departmental funds, students must be presenting at the conference.

MaGrann Field Research Awards
The MaGrann Field Research Award, established by the generous gift of alumnus Mark MaGrann, provides annual funds to support Geography graduate students at the early phases (pre-quals) of their graduate careers in conducting fieldwork or research with the potential to advance geographical knowledge. Applications for these annual awards are due by the last Friday of March each year.

School of Graduate Studies Awards

SGS Conference Travel Awards
The School of Graduate Studies also offers travel funding to support SGS graduate students who are presenting their research at national and international conferences. Details are circulated by the SGS via the GPD in early spring each year, with a deadline typically in early March.

SGS Achievement and Merit Awards
Each year, the SGS honors graduate students for outstanding contributions to graduate education at Rutgers University. There are several awards available to both Doctoral and Master’s Students. A list of awards can be found on the SGS Achievement and Merit Awards page. Details are also circulated by the SGS via the GPD in early spring each year, with a deadline typically in early March.

External 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, have had considerable success in recent years from such organizations as the National Science Foundation, Fulbright-Hays, National Institute of Mental Health, Social Science Research Council, Society of Women Geographers, American Association of University Women, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) awards, etc. 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. The Dean of the Graduate School New Brunswick can provide additional information on eligibility.
The GradFund, the Office of Graduate Student External Grants and Fellowships, is a resource center for graduate student external support and provides assistance to graduate students in identifying and selecting appropriate sources and award opportunities, application timelines and logistics, etc. For additional information, important links, events and workshops, visit the GradFund website.

Teaching Assistantships: TAs, GAs, PTLs
A limited number of TA assignments and occasionally fellowship that have not been 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 or GPD invites interested students in good standing to apply for TA assignments or surplus fellowships for an additional year of support beyond those awarded in the initial offer letter (generated at the time of admission). To be eligible, applicants must have completed 12 or more credits of coursework in the program, have their principal advisor's endorsement, no Incomplete grades (INs) on their record, and no other means of full financial 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 (both fall and spring semesters), health insurance.
Students in the PhD program are typically given preference over students in the Master's Program in this appointment process. Ranking and selection is based on program GPAs, performance in past TA assignments, progress toward degrees, level of participation in the program, the current needs of a particular assignment, and the TA's own training and experience. Being appointed for one year is no guarantee of reappointment the following year.

TA Project (TAP)
The TA Project TAP is designed to strengthen the quality of undergraduate and graduate instruction through the preparation of graduate student teaching assistants on matters pertaining to classroom management, pedagogical best practices, and professionalism in academe. The fundamental components upon which it is built include annual orientations, certificate programs, seminar courses, and discipline-specific training.
Newly appointed TAs are required to view New TA Orientation. Additionally, TAs who are non-U.S. citizens are also required to view the International TA Orientation. Additional information can be found on the TAP Orientation website.

TAs in Geography may be assigned a role as a sole instructor, 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 permitted to take a maximum of 10 credits of coursework per term; they register 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"). TA assignments are made by the Department Chair, in consultation with the full faculty. Fall assignments are typically announced by June, and spring assignments are announced in November, although timing can vary due to the logistical uncertainties of course registration and enrollment within the Registrar, and beyond the control of the department.
Geography students have been successful in obtaining TA positions in other programs, including Anthropology, Human Ecology, the Writing Program in the English Department.

Dissertation Teaching Assistantships
In addition to the regular TA assignments described above, the Department may also award a limited number of Dissertation TAs to PhD 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 (PTLs)
Advanced graduate students are sometimes asked to teach individual undergraduate courses for remuneration on a course-by-course basis. Similar opportunities may also exist in the summer and winter sessions. These opportunities are announced by the Department Chair and offered on the basis of teaching need and potential PTLs’ prior research and teacher training. Students can express interest in such assignments directly to the Department Chair.

Grading and Proctoring of Undergraduate Examinations
Occasional work in grading and proctoring is available, for an hourly wage, per email requests from the Department AA.

Graduate Assistantships (GAs)
Some faculty members have external grants that may provide funding for Graduate Assistantships to support them on their research projects. These GAs are provided a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. GAs are permitted 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") (up to Table of Contents)

7. Housekeeping
Program Location: The Geography department is headquartered on the second floor of the B-wing of Lucy Stone Hall on the Livingston Campus. The GPD, Department Chair, Sr. Department Administrator, Administrative Assistant, Staff Cartographer, Unit Computing Manager, most departmental faculty offices, and computer labs for graduate research and teaching are all located on this floor, as are several classrooms.
Office space: Most all graduate students, especially those that are fellows and TAs, are assigned office space in the department.
Keys and Room/Lab Codes: Arrangements for all room keys and security codes, may be made through the Graduate AA. The outside door of Lucy Stone Hall is accessible through a swipe card security system. Room B-120, and the computer labs are all accessible with a security code.
Mailboxes/ Copying: Located in B252. A copier code is required for use, which is provided by the Unit Computing Manager.

Rutgers NET ID: The NetID is an online identification used for campus services and to set up your computer account. In order to access many of the electronic services available to you at Rutgers, you must activate your Rutgers NetID at https://netid.rutgers.edu/activateNetId.htm

Computer accounts: Students may create a computer account through the Unit Computing Manager, in order to gain access to any of the departmental computers in individual offices, or in either of the labs. You must first set up and activate your NetID in order to establish your computer account.

Student RUconnection ID card: To be eligible, you must be registered for classes. Rutgers students have access to Rutgers University libraries, computer labs, recreation centers, RU Express accounts, and meal plans via their RU Connection Card.
Graduate Student Email Listserv: All graduate students are included in the Geography Graduate Students Email Listserv used for departmental announcements and communications.

Student Contact Information: Your current address, phone and email is maintained by the Graduate AA. Please provide any changes to your contact information to the department.

Building Security: Occasionally thefts have 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 to not admit strangers to the building, and to work with lab doors closed, especially when working alone. (up to Table of Contents)

8. The Graduate Program as a 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. More information can be found at: http://ggp.rutgers.edu/

Speaker Series
Every semester the department sponsors a series of workshops or presentations by external and internal speakers typically held on Friday afternoons. The “Speaker 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 strongly encouraged to attend. (up to Table of Contents)

9. Additional Resources
School of Graduate Studies New Brunswick (SGS) Personnel: The office of the SGS offers additional services and resources to graduate students. For a complete listing of officers and staff of the SGS along with specific contact information visit: https://grad.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us

Student Association (GSA)
The Graduate Student Association, of which all graduate students are automatically members, advocates graduate student concerns to the greater Rutgers University community and provides financial support to recognized graduate student organizations. The GSA sponsors a variety of social and cultural activities for graduate students. All programs and activities are funded by graduate student activity fees. For more information, visit the website at Rutgers Graduate Student Association.

Rutgers Global
Rutgers Global is comprised of multiple units the coordinate services for international faculty, staff, students and scholars and facilitate all manner of global engagement for faculty, staff and students at Rutgers. Rutgers Global staff members provide direct support with employment, immigration, and personal, family, financial and health care matters to international students. In addition, Rutgers Global sponsors a variety of programs throughout the year, sponsors an orientation program and publishes a newsletter, https://global.rutgers.edu.

Career Services
Career Services can help you prepare for a productive and meaningful career following the completion of your graduate degree at Rutgers. Career counselors provide individual counseling sessions, as well as a variety of seminars, programs, and resources designed specifically for graduate students, https://careers.rutgers.edu/

Counseling Services-Counseling, Alcohol and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
A wide range of counseling services and resources are offered through CAPS, the University mental health support service, for all students of Rutgers University in New Brunswick/Piscataway. Services include crisis intervention, individual therapy, group therapy, a variety of workshops, alcohol and other drug assistance programs, psychiatric care (medication management), and community referrals. Services are free, and confidentiality is guaranteed within legal and ethical guidelines. Students can Make an Appoinment trough the CAPS website.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Geography faculty members participate in a number of interdisciplinary programs offering graduate certificate programs featuring one of the field’s sub disciplines. For more information on the requirements of these certificates contact the following graduate faculty: Certificates are currently available for concentrated study in Africana Studies, Human Dimensions of Environmental Change, Geospatial Information Science, Quaternary Studies, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

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10. Geography Graduate Program Faculty

GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR (GPD)

Laura Schneider, Ph.D., Clark University, 2004, Professor- land systems science, tropical ecosystems, remote sensing, Latin America

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Kevin St. Martin, Ph.D., Clark University, 1999, Professor - economic geography, diverse economies, political ecology, community and commons, critical cartographies, GIS

CORE FACULTY (geography core faculty who are automatically members of the graduate faculty)

Priscilla Pinto Ferreira, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2018, Assistant Professor - Afro-Latinx Geographies, Black solidary economies, urban geography, Afro-Latina feminisms, decolonial methodologies and pedagogical praxis

D. Asher Ghertner, Ph.D., University of California- Berkeley, 2010, Professor- Urban geography, development and displacement, political ecology, aesthetic politics, ethnography, postcolonialism, India

Robin M. Leichenko, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1997, Distinguished Professor- economic geography and human dimensions of global environmental change.

Andrea J. Marston, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley, 2019, Associate Professor- environmental politics, postcolonial geographies, resource extraction, Science and Technology Studies, feminist geographies, Latin America

Åsa K. Rennermalm, Ph.D., Princeton University, 2007, Professor – hydrology and glaciology of the Arctic region, and how contemporary climate change is transforming the Greenland ice sheet

Kevon C. Rhiney, Ph.D., University of the West Indies, 2010, Associate Professor- global change, rural agrarian livelihoods, biopolitics, political ecology, environmental justice, postcolonial thought, Caribbean region

 Jesse Rodenbiker, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 2019. Assistant Professor- environmental governance, urban geography, inequality, displacement, political ecology, sustainability, China

J.T. Roane, Ph.D., Columbia University, 2016, Assistant Professor – Black geographies, Black ecologies, Black Gender and Sexuality Studies, urban and rural geographies, African American and African Diaspora History, political ecology

David A. Robinson, Ph.D., Columbia University, 1984, Distinguished Professor and N.J. State Climatologist – climatology, cryosphere, regional climates, physical geography

Lei Song, Ph.D., Clark University, 2023, Assistant Professor – global environmental change, biodiversity conservation, landscape ecology, terrestrial ecosystems, land cover/land use, remote sensing, geospatial AI

Teona Williams, Ph.D., Yale University, 2022, Assistant Professor –Black geographies, Black feminism, African American and environmental history, Black Ecologies, critical food studies, critical disaster studies, the Black South(s), and rural geographies

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

Carlos U. Decena, PhD., New York University, 2004, Professor – transnationalism and diaspora, queer studies, Latinx studies, health

James DeFilippis, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2000, Professor – community development, housing, urban social movements, community organizing, urban labor markets, immigration

Ubydul Haque, Ph.D., Nagasaki University, Japan, 2012, Assistant Professor – geospatial epidemiology, global health, infectious diseases, health effects of war, conflict, and climate change

Wolfram Hoefer, Ph.D., Technical University of Munich Germany, 2000, Professor and Director of the Center for Rutgers Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES), landscape Architecture, cultural interpretation of brownfields, the role of public spaces in social relations

David M. Hughes, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 1999, Professor – environmental anthropology, political ecology, climate change, oil, energy, extractive industries, Southern Africa, Caribbean, Europe

Richard G. Lathrop Jr., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1988, Professor – remote sensing and spatial modeling of terrestrial/aquatic ecosystems, GIS, landscape ecology

Pamela McElwee, Ph.D., Yale University, 2003, Professor – global environmental change, biodiversity, conservation and climate change in Asia

Kathe Newman-Schell, Ph.D., CUNY, 2001, Professor – urban politics, urban revitalization, gentrification, community development, community food security and financialization

William B. Payne, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 2020, Assistant Professor – urban informatics, GIS, gentrification, community planning

Victoria Ramenzoni, Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2014, Associate Professor – Human behavioral ecology, coastal communities, and marine and coastal policies.

Trinidad Rico, Ph.D., Stanford University, 2011, Associate Professor – Ethnographic heritage, risk and disasters, archaeological and heritage ethics, secrecy, Islam, South America.

Ethan D. Schoolman, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2013, Associate Professor – environmental and social dimensions of local, regional and alternative food systems

Mi Shih, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2010, Associate Professor – land development and property rights, city redevelopment, social protests and citizenship in China

Genese M. Sodikoff, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2005, Associate Professor – conservation, Madagascar, environmental anthropology, zoonosis

David L. Tulloch, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997, Professor – geo-spatial technologies, environmental and land use planning

assssociate Members of the graduate Faculty

Daniel A. Barone, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2016, Associate Teaching Professor– coastal storm vulnerability, sediment transport, GIS, hazards

Nathaniel Gabriel, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2012, Associate Teaching Professor – political ecology, urban socio-natural systems, economic development and urban environmental politics

Melanie H. McDermott, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 2000, Assistant Research Professor – human ecology, political ecology, community forestry, climate change

Paul O’Keefe, Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2015, Assistant Teaching Professor – development geography, political ecology, human-environment relations, adaptation to climate change, vulnerability, livelihoods approaches, Tanzania

EMERITUS FACULTY

Gail M. Ashley, Ph.D., University of British Columbia, 1977, Distinguished Professor Emerita - quaternary, sedimentology, glacial geomorphology, environmental planning

Michael R. Greenberg, Ph.D., Columbia University, 1969, Distinguished Professor Emeritus – environmental health and risk analysis, nuclear waste management

Robert W. Lake, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1981, Professor Emeritus - urban and political geography, environmental politics, planning and social theory

Bonnie J. McCay, Ph.D., Columbia, 1976, Professor Emerita- property and environment, marine governance, fisheries, North Atlantic, Mexico

James K. Mitchell, Ph.D., Chicago, 1973, Professor Emeritus - environmental hazards, human-environment theory, environment and public policy, global environmental change

Karl F. Nordstrom, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 1975, Distinguished Professor Emeritus - coastal geomorphology and management, environmental restoration

Karen O’Neill, Ph.D., University of California- Los Angeles, 1998, Associate Professor Emerita– environmental policy, water, environmental restoration, biodiversity

Frank J. Popper, Ph.D., Harvard University, 1972, Professor Emeritus - Land use, environmental and regional policy, natural resources management

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

Thomas Rudel, Ph.D., Yale, 1977, Distinguished Professor Emeritus - Latin America, environment, development, land use

Richard A. Schroeder, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley, 1993, Professor Emeritus – Africa, political ecology, development, conservation, race, gender, nationality, tourism, hunting, mining, forestry, agriculture

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