Students who wish to pursue Ph.D. studies in human geography, environmental geography, or Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) can undertake studies for the Geosciences Ph.D. Students who wish to continue studies in Geography at the doctoral level are expected to work closely with a Geography faculty adviser, pass the required course in geographic theory and analysis, complete additional course work in Geography and cognate fields, pass a multi-day written and oral comprehensive exam, and successfully complete and defend a Ph.D. dissertation. Students whose MA or MS is in another field may need to complete additional course work to develop a background equivalent to that of our Geography MS.
If you are interested in Ph.D. studies in Geography you should correspond directly with a Geography faculty member.
For information about applying to graduate school, please see: http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/