Where do I get information about the program?

Information about the department and admissions is located online at out department website (http://www.geo.wvu.edu) If you have additional questions about admissions, requirements, or general questions about the program, please contact: Dr. Amy Hessl, amy.hessl@mail.wvu.edu. However, students are encouraged tocontact individual faculty members about research or as possible advisors (see next question).

Who should I contact about research or advising?

We strongly recommend that students contact individual faculty members about possible research projects or as potential advisors. If you can make contact with a faculty member and they think you have potential, you have a much stronger chance of being accepted to the program and getting funding (see questions about teaching and research assistantships below).

How are teaching assistantships allocated?

Teaching assistantships (TAs) are allocated by the department, and all applicants are automatically considered for these positions when they apply to the geography program. Normally students with a strong background in geography receive first priority for these assistantships, because the associated duties require the student to assist with many different geography courses.

How are research assistantships allocated?

Research assistantships (RAs) are funded by grants received by individual faculty so it is up the individual faculty to allocate these. RAs normally require research skills associated with the specific project. Interested students should express interest in RAs to individual faculty, especially those that have similar research interests and who the student might want as an advisor.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in geography to apply?

Typically only about half of our masters students do not have undergrad degrees in geography. The others come from a range of fields. Regardless of your major, we do like to see a demonstrated interest in a particular area - so if you were interested in biogeography, a biology degree would be great.

If I don't have a geography degree, will I need to take remedial coursework?

Most of our students do not take remedial geography course work, unless they have changed areas significantly (for example from physical science to social science or vice-versa).

What is the minimum GRE score required for admission?

Though we do not have a minimum GRE score, we are looking for students who score above the 50th percentile in all categories. We consider the entire application, including statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, transcripts and GREs together!

Can I start my graduate program in the spring semester?

Occasionally students begin their program in the spring semester, however this disrupts course sequencing so we do not recommend it.

Is it acceptable to send reference letters from my employer, or other people who are not college instructors or professors?

Absolutely! If you have spent some time in the "real" world, we would be very interested in employer perspectives! Keep in mind though that we expect two letters from professors for a masters application and three letters from professors for a PhD application, so letters from previous employers should be in addition to these.

I am an international student. What TOEFL score is required for admission?

Policy for the TOEFL exam is set by WVU Admissions and Records; it is not set by the Geography Program. The TOEFL exam is required for all international students whose first language is not English. Admissions and records have set a minimum 550 score on the TOEFL paper exam, or 213 on the computer exam, or 80 on the new internet-based TOEFL. International students with English not as a first language applying for GTAs must pass a spoken English test on campus or get a 23 on the new internet based TOEFL. More information on the WVU Admissions and Records policy can be found at: http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/internat_main.html#English

I am an international student, and I have a masters degree from a US institution. Do I have to provide TOEFL scores?

Policy for the TOEFL exam is set by WVU Admissions and Records; it is not set by the Geography Program. WVU Admissions and Records requires the TOEFL for any international applicant whose first language is not English. This requirement is waived for applicants who have an undergraduate degree from a US institution. Applicants who have a graduate degree from a US institution do not qualify for this waiver, and thus must provide the TOEFL score.