LSU Online M.S. in Geography (Thesis, GIS Certificate)

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge offers a fully online Master of Science in Geography through LSU Online. The 31-credit degree is asynchronous, charges $725 per credit to students in every state, and requires no GRE. Online graduates earn the same diploma as campus students.

What sets LSU apart is the research focus. It requires a defended thesis, while most online geography master’s in our guide use a capstone or make the thesis optional, and every online student completes a graduate certificate in either GIS or crime mapping along the way. The M.S. program dates to 1933, and the department is known for physical geography, including geomorphology, climatology and coastal research.

Program at a Glance

Degree	M.S. in Geography (online)
Credits	31 (4 core, 6 thesis, 21 electives)
Format	100% online, fully asynchronous, no campus visits
Thesis	Required
Built-in certificate	GIS (12 credits) or Crime Mapping (15 credits)
Tuition	$725 per credit, same for all states; $22,475 total
GRE	Not required
Next start	October 19, 2026 (apply by October 5)
Accreditation	SACSCOC

Curriculum

LSU Online describes the degree structure as 4 core credits, 6 thesis credits and 21 elective credits, with at least one graduate certificate completed inside the electives.

Core and Thesis (10 credits)

Course	Credits
GEOG 7901 Introduction to Graduate Study	1
GEOG 7902 Introduction to Research Methods in Geography	3
GEOG 8000 Thesis Research	6

Built-In Certificate Options

Certificate	Credits	Courses Listed by LSU Online
Geographic Information Science	12	Environmental Remote Sensing; Geographic Information Systems; Advanced GIS; Advanced Remote Sensing Seminar
Crime Mapping and Geospatial Intelligence Analytics	15	Criminology; Geographic Information Systems; Methods of Spatial Analysis; Socioeconomic Applications of GIS; ethics and independent reading

The department’s own certificate pages let students choose courses within theory, method and application categories, so your exact plan may differ from the LSU Online list. Department rules require at least 12 elective hours at the 7000 (graduate) level (department page).

How the Online Format Works

Fully asynchronous: LSU Online says course materials are available 24/7 with no required login times or campus visits.
Thesis online: you will work with a faculty advisor on original research. LSU recommends contacting faculty before applying.
Start dates: the current cycle starts October 19, 2026. LSU does not state how many starts it offers per year or the course length.
Same diploma: online graduates receive the same degree as on-campus students.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in geography or a related field
3.0 GPA, cumulative or in the last 60 undergraduate credits (Graduate School)
No GRE required (department); scores optional
Statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation and a current CV
Unofficial transcripts to apply; official transcripts after acceptance

LSU Online says the application fee can be waived with a code listed in its application guide. LSU Online sets its own deadlines, separate from the Graduate School.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Item	Cost
Tuition per credit	$725, all states
Total program cost (31 credits)	$22,475
Out-of-state fee	None

LSU Online lists $22,475 as the total cost with fees, and says costs are subject to change and some programs carry technology or lab fees. The rate does not yet appear on the 2025–26 LSU Online tuition schedule, so confirm the current rate before enrolling. Financial aid, including GI Bill benefits and employer tuition assistance, is available.

Faculty and Department

LSU’s Department of Geography and Anthropology specializes in cultural, economic, urban and historical geography, GIS and mapping sciences, biogeography, climatology, geomorphology and Quaternary studies. Its labs include the Cartographic Information Center, a Geomorphology Lab, the TIGeRS geospatial and remote sensing lab, and the Climate Extremes and Modeling Group. LSU calls it one of the oldest geography programs in the nation.

Careers

LSU Online lists GIS analyst, GIS consultant, environmental consultant, urban and regional planner, remote sensing scientist, natural resource manager, cartographer, geospatial data scientist, climate change analyst, hydrologist and environmental scientist. LSU does not publish outcomes data for the online program.

Pros and Considerations

Strengths

Required thesis builds research experience for Ph.D. or research careers
GIS or crime mapping certificate built into the degree
$725 per credit for every state, about $22,500 total
No GRE and fully asynchronous

Things to Consider

A thesis takes more time and self-direction than a capstone
No online bachelor’s in geography at LSU
Course length and number of yearly starts not published
Newer online program; confirm the tuition rate

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LSU offer an online master’s in geography?

Yes. LSU Online offers a 31-credit M.S. in Geography that is fully online and asynchronous, with a required thesis.

How much does LSU’s online geography master’s cost?

LSU Online lists $725 per credit with no out-of-state fee, or $22,475 for the full 31-credit degree.

Does LSU require the GRE for its online geography master’s?

No. The department dropped the GRE requirement in January 2023, though applicants may still submit scores.

Does the online M.S. include GIS?

Yes. Every online student completes either a 12-credit GIS certificate or a 15-credit crime mapping certificate as part of the electives.

Compare LSU with other programs in our online geography and GIS degree guide, or see campus programs in Louisiana.

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.