Geomorphology Degrees: Geography Programs, Courses and Careers (2026)

Geomorphology is the study of landforms and the processes that shape them: rivers carving valleys, glaciers scouring mountains, coastlines eroding and hillslopes failing in landslides. In geography departments it is a core part of physical geography, and it connects directly to flood risk, erosion control, river restoration and natural hazard planning.

Very few schools offer a degree titled “geomorphology.” Instead, students earn a geography (or geoscience) degree with a geomorphology concentration, track or research focus, usually at the master’s level. This guide explains what you study, which geography programs name geomorphology as a specialty and how the field leads to jobs.

What You Study in Geomorphology

Geomorphology coursework blends field science with lab and mapping skills. Course titles that recur across geography departments include:

Geomorphology: the core course on landform processes, usually with labs and field trips.
Fluvial geomorphology and river systems: how rivers move water and sediment, and how channels change.
Soils and soil geography: how soils form on different landscapes.
Glacial and coastal processes: courses such as Glaciers and Landscape or coastal morphodynamics.
Geospatial methods: GIS, remote sensing, LiDAR and drone surveys to measure landscape change. See our GIS and geography degrees guide.

Expect fieldwork: stream surveys, sediment sampling and mapping trips are standard, and most master’s programs end in a field-based thesis.

Geography Programs With a Geomorphology Focus

These programs name geomorphology explicitly in their concentrations, tracks or research areas. Details come from each school’s official pages, checked in October 2026.

School	Program	Credits	GRE	Format
Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LA	M.S. in Geography (thesis)	31	Not required	Campus; online version available
University of KansasLawrence, KS	M.S. in Geography (thesis)	30	Not required	Campus
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA	M.A. in Geography, Geomorphology concentration	30–33	Not required	Campus
University of North TexasDenton, TX	M.S. in Geography, Applied Geomorphology track	36	Not stated	Campus
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	M.A. in Geography (climate science, biogeography and geomorphology)	30	Not stated	Campus
University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND	M.S. in Geography, geomorphology emphasis	30	Not stated	Campus

Louisiana State University

LSU’s M.S. in Geography (31 credits with a thesis) lists geomorphology alongside climatology, biogeography and Quaternary studies. Courses include Geomorphology and Fluvial Geomorphology, and faculty such as Kory Konsoer work with the LSU Center for River Studies on river processes. LSU also offers the M.S. fully online at $725 per credit, although the online page does not confirm which geomorphology courses run online.

University of Kansas

KU’s M.S. in Geography is a 30-credit thesis degree. The department lists geomorphology, soils, ecohydrology and biogeography as physical geography strengths, with Soils and Geomorphology, Palynology and Pedology labs. Courses include Geomorphology, Introduction to River Systems, Glaciers and Landscape and Soil Geography. The GRE is not required.

University of Northern Iowa

UNI’s M.A. in Geography names geomorphology as one of six research concentrations. Students choose a 33-credit thesis option or a 30-credit non-thesis option, and the GRE is not required. Courses include Geomorphology and Science of Scenery.

University of North Texas

UNT’s M.S. in Geography (36 credits) offers an optional Applied Geomorphology track in both its research (thesis) and professional (non-thesis) master’s. The track focuses on hazards that matter to society: flooding, expansive soils, landslides and coastal erosion. The department runs labs for earth science, geomorphology and hydrology, and applicants must secure a major professor before applying.

Syracuse University

Syracuse’s M.A. in Geography is 30 credits with a thesis or two master’s papers, and one concentration area covers climate science, biogeography and geomorphology. Research includes fluvial and hillslope geomorphology, soil erosion and river morphodynamics. Note: Syracuse says that starting with fall 2026 entrants, department funding goes only to Ph.D. students, and graduate tuition is about $2,086 per credit.

University of North Dakota

UND’s M.S. in Geography (30 credits, thesis or non-thesis) lists geomorphology among its emphasis areas, with Advanced Physical Geography and Field Methods and Analysis in Geography courses.

Bachelor’s Options

At the undergraduate level, look for a physical geography track. Examples include San Diego State‘s B.S. emphasis in Water, Climate, and Ecosystems, which includes lab and field work in geomorphology, and Salisbury University‘s Physical Geography track, which covers climate, soils and geomorphology.

Can You Study Geomorphology Online?

Not as a dedicated degree. We found no fully online geomorphology degree or certificate, partly because the field depends on fieldwork. The closest options are online geography degrees with physical geography coursework, such as LSU’s online M.S. in Geography, or an online geography bachelor’s from our online geography and GIS degree guide. See also our guide to online physical geography degrees.

Geomorphology Careers and Salary

Geomorphology graduates work in environmental consulting, river and watershed management, hazard assessment, government agencies such as geological surveys and natural resource departments, and research. Relevant BLS occupations include:

Occupation	Median Pay (May 2025)	Job Growth (2025–35)	Typical Entry Education
Geoscientists	$101,920	5%	Bachelor’s
Geographers	$102,040	-2%	Bachelor’s
Cartographers and photogrammetrists	$81,390	7%	Bachelor’s
Urban and regional planners	$89,320	4%	Master’s

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. BLS does not track geomorphologists separately. Strong GIS and remote sensing skills widen job options considerably.

Bottom Line

If geomorphology is your goal, choose a geography master’s where it is a named research area and a faculty member works on the landscapes you care about, whether rivers, coasts, glaciers or hazards. LSU, Kansas and Northern Iowa stand out for named geomorphology coursework and no GRE requirement. Pair your field training with GIS and remote sensing, which many geomorphology jobs now ask for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is geomorphology in geography?

Geomorphology is the branch of physical geography that studies landforms and the processes that create and change them, including rivers, glaciers, wind, waves, weathering and landslides.

Can you major in geomorphology?

Rarely. Most students study geomorphology through a geography or geoscience degree with a physical geography or geomorphology concentration, often at the master’s level.

Is a geomorphology degree in geography or geology?

Both departments teach it. Geography programs tend to emphasize surface processes, hazards and human impacts on landscapes, while geology programs connect landforms to rock and tectonic history.

What jobs can you get with geomorphology training?

Common roles include environmental consultant, river or watershed scientist, hazard analyst, GIS and remote sensing analyst, and government scientist at agencies that manage land, water and natural hazards.

Can you study geomorphology online?

There is no dedicated online geomorphology degree. Online geography degrees with physical geography courses, such as LSU’s online M.S. in Geography, are the closest option.

Official Sources

We verified this profile against the following school pages in October 2026. Program details change, so confirm current requirements and costs with the school before you apply.