The University of Northern Iowa is expanding access to graduate education with the launch of a new online, non-thesis Master of Arts in Geography program designed for working professionals seeking advanced knowledge and career growth. The program is ideal for professionals working in government, environmental services, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping, urban and regional planning, economic development and related fields.

“Geographic knowledge and spatial analysis are increasingly critical across industries,” said Mark Welford, program coordinator and head of the Department of Geography. “This online, non-thesis option provides flexibility for working professionals while maintaining the academic rigor and expertise for which UNI is known.”

The program’s online delivery ensures accessibility for students across Iowa and beyond, allowing them to balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments. Courses are taught by UNI faculty and maintain the same academic quality as on-campus offerings. Students will engage with experienced faculty while completing coursework that emphasizes analytical thinking, spatial technologies, and data-driven decision-making.

This applied, coursework-based option allows students to focus on practical skills and real-world applications relevant to today’s workforce needs. It provides a flexible pathway for individuals interested in deepening their expertise in geography, geospatial analysis, environmental change and community and regional planning.

“This new online, non-thesis option reflects our commitment to expanding flexible, high-quality graduate pathways that meet professionals where they are,” said Stephanie Huffman, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and dean of the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. “We are proud to provide accessible programs that strengthen Iowa’s workforce and equip graduates with skills that have immediate, real-world impact.”

Along with the new online, non-thesis program, the department continues to offer a traditional on-campus Master of Arts in Geography with a thesis option for students pursuing advanced research and in-person study.

The department also offers a Geography 4+1 accelerated degree option that allows eligible undergraduates to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in geography in five years. This pathway provides a cost-effective, streamlined route for students seeking advanced training in geospatial analysis and related fields.

Applications for the online Geography MA are now being accepted to begin coursework in August. For more information about the program or to apply, visit online.uni.edu/geography