Information

Fırat University’s Department of Geography offers high-quality, internationally recognized geography education. The graduate program in geography is interdisciplinary and comprises four main branches: Physical Geography, Human and Economic Geography, Regional Geography and the Geography of Türkiye.

The Geography Master’s Program aims to equip students with a strong understanding of geography, fostering their ability to analyze relationships between the natural environment and human interactions. It emphasizes interdisciplinary research and introduces students to various geographical methods. Additionally, the program provides training in data collection, processing, and interpretation using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Program Information

Graduate Studies in Geography

Language of Instruction: Turkish
Department Chair: Prof. Dr. Murat Sunkar
ECTS and Erasmus Coordinators:
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Fethi Ahmet Canpolat
- Assist. Prof. Dr. Dündar Dağlı
Department Secretary: Fatih Ahmet Özdemir
Program Duration:
- Master’s Degree: 2 Years
- Ph.D.: 4 Years
Maximum Duration:
- Master’s Degree: 4 Years
- Ph.D.: 6 Years
Internship Requirement: None
Degree Title Upon Graduation: Geographer

Program Profile

Program Description

The Master’s and Ph.D. programs aim to equip students with up-to-date knowledge in their fields, enhancing their analytical and problem-solving skills. The program seeks to develop professionals who can think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, work in teams, take initiative, manage risks and change, and uphold ethical standards.

Through this program, students gain a global perspective on geography-related issues and develop both personal and professional competencies that set them apart in the job market.

History of the Department

The Department of Geography was established in 1975, with 15 academic staff currently employed.

Initially, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Akkan, the department was one of the first to be established at the university.
However, it became fully operational in 1978 when H. Hilmi Karaboran started as a doctoral assistant.
Due to a lack of students, the department was temporarily closed, and its academic staff were assigned to other departments.
Thanks to Hilmi Karaboran’s efforts, the Higher Education Council (YÖK) officially reinstated the department on March 16, 1990, under Fırat University Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The department began accepting students in the 1990-1991 academic year, starting with 30 students.
Today, the department has 12 faculty members and 3 research assistants.
The department is structured into four major branches: Physical Geography, Human Geography, Regional Geography, and the Geography of Turkey.
Since 2009-2010, the department has been offering evening classes (dual education system).
As of Jaunary 20, 2025, the department has:
- 533 undergraduate students,
- 55 master’s students,
- 14 Ph.D. students.

Aims and Objectives

Program Aims

The graduate program in Geography is designed to:

Equip students with the ability to understand, analyze, and solve geographical problems.
Develop an understanding of human and natural resources, urban and agricultural land use, and their impact.
Enable students to analyze spatial challenges such as ecological sustainability, climate change, population growth, transportation networks, and resource management.
Enhance cartographic skills such as GIS, remote sensing, map-making, map-reading, and coding.
Develop competencies in urban planning, urban transformation, urbanization, and land use analysis.
Foster an interdisciplinary approach, integrating geography with other social and natural sciences.
Analyze the relationship between settlements and the natural and human environment.
Enhance understanding of Turkey’s and the world’s geographical environments, including climatic, geomorphological, and hydrological processes.
Provide knowledge on natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic activities, and enable students to develop risk assessments and solutions.
Develop skills in geographical analysis, synthesis, and practical applications.

Program Objectives

The program aims to build upon undergraduate competencies in Geography and Geographic Information Technologies, fostering advanced research skills in scientific studies. Graduates are expected to independently design, conduct, and conclude original research projects while maintaining scientific integrity.

Degree Awarded

Graduates of the Master’s and Ph.D. programs receive a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. Diploma in Geography.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must:

Meet the academic and legal requirements set by the university and the Higher Education Council (YÖK).
Complete the admission exams and procedures specified in the official announcements.
Follow the university’s guidelines for international student exchange programs (e.g., Erasmus).

Detailed application requirements and deadlines are available on the Fırat University website (www.firat.edu.tr).

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students enrolled in Fırat University’s Institute of Social Sciences may be exempt from certain courses under specific regulations. Course exemptions are granted if:

The content of the previously completed course is equivalent to a course in the program.
The exemption is approved by the relevant faculty or institute.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must:

Complete at least 7 courses with a minimum of 21 national credits (42 ECTS).
Successfully complete a seminar course and a thesis project.

Further Studies

Graduates of the Master’s program can apply for Ph.D. programs.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Geography Graduate Program can work in various organizations, including:

Ministry of National Education (schools and institutions)
State Planning Organization (DPT)
Relevant government ministries
Local governments
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Private sector institutions related to geography and GIS

Assessment and Evaluation

Students take midterm and final exams each semester.
Success in a course is determined by a combination of:
- Midterm exams
- Assignments
- Final exams
- Attendance
Final exams are conducted according to the university's official examination schedule.

Grading System

Score	Letter Grade	Coefficient
90-100	AA	4.0
85-89	BA	3.5
80-84	BB	3.0
75-79	CB	2.5
70-74	CC	2.0
65-69	DC	1.5
60-64	DD	1.0
59 & below	FF	0

Minimum passing grade:
- Master’s students: DC
- Ph.D. students: CB
Retaking Courses:
- Students who receive FF or NA (Non-Attendance) must retake the course in the next available semester.
Honors and Distinctions:
- GPA of 3.00-3.49: Honor Student
- GPA of 3.50-4.00: High Honor Student

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The qualifications required for the Master’s and Ph.D. Programs are defined in the Fırat University Graduate Education Regulations.

Required Documents for Admission:

Bachelor’s Degree Diploma
Transcript
ALES (Graduate Education Entrance Exam) score
Foreign language proficiency certificate (if applicable)
For international students: Equivalent bachelor’s degree and transcript.