The Mission of the Department of Geography is to provide its students with educational experiences of the highest quality, to conduct vital research that benefits society, and to serve our communities, from the local to the international. We are committed to outstanding teaching and scholarly activities within the framework of academic freedom, the diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, and a global perspective.<br><br>The Department of Geography will continue to stress both the theoretical and applied realms in all of our degree programs. We will provide a rigorous educational experience through innovative teaching, engagement with the community, and dedication to our undergraduate and graduate students. We will increase our visibility as a research department through faculty scholarship, research grant activities, international collaborations with academic institutions, the recruiting of top students for our graduate programs, the organization of national and international conference and symposia, a robust program of scholarly exchanges, and services in academic and professional organizations.<br><br>The course curriculum for the doctoral degree is designed to provide depth and breadth of knowledge in geographic theory and research methods. To be admitted to the geography doctoral program, a student must have completed a master's degree in geography or in a related discipline.<br><br>Each doctoral student will have their program tailored to meet the academic goals agreed upon in consultation with the Ph.D. research advisor, with the approval of the graduate program coordinator, the department chair, and the dean of The Graduate College. All programs will include the necessary core, skills, specialization, and internal and external elective courses.