Admission Requirements

The Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Geography is offered in two fields of specialization (Critical Human Geography and Biophysical Processes) and requires the following qualifications to be considered for admission:

• A Master’s degree in Geography or a related discipline from an accredited institution; and
• A minimum B+ average in prior academic study.

Qualified international applicants should consult the International Credentials Guidelines.

Critical Human Geography

A dynamic and diverse field that examines how power, inequality, and social justice shape places, environments, and everyday life. It explores unequal access to resources and opportunities, amplifies marginalized voices, and critically examines the social and environmental impacts of political, economic, and cultural processes. Drawing on a range of perspectives, including feminist, anti-racist, Marxist, postcolonial, and environmental approaches, critical human geography values diverse ways of knowing and community-engaged scholarship. Central to the field is a commitment to decolonization, Indigenization, and the creation of more just, equitable, and sustainable futures. 

Biophysical Processes

An interdisciplinary field that explores the interactions between environmental systems at the interface of biology and the geosciences. Research examines the processes that shape Earth's environments, including climate, water, ecosystems, landscapes, and biogeochemical cycles across diverse regions ranging from the Arctic to the tropics. Drawing on field-based research, geomatics, environmental modelling, and emerging machine learning approaches, scholars investigate pressing challenges such as global environmental change and human impacts on natural systems. Central to this work is collaboration with government agencies, community organizations, Indigenous partners, and industry to advance knowledge and support sustainable environmental futures. Through initiatives such as the OneWATER Institute and interdisciplinary climate change research clusters, students benefit from innovative research opportunities and a strong, collaborative training environment.