BACKGROUND 

Royal University of Phnom Penh is the oldest and largest university in the Kingdom of Cambodia. In order to maintain its prestige both nationally and internationally as a leading university, the university has established key visions and missions, including providing quality, effective, and ethical education, strengthening research and innovation capacity, and responding to community needs through collaboration with both national and international partners.

Based on the vision and mission of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, the Master of Arts in Geography (MAG) has been developed with the mission of training students who aspire to become professional researchers and specialists in geography. The program focuses on professional education and research in order to contribute to the development of Cambodian society, particularly by helping individuals, groups, communities, and society as a whole recognize their potential and values, and apply them to solve problems and promote further development of themselves, their communities, and the nation.

Through the study of geography, we gain a better understanding of the relationship between ourselves and the world in which we live. Interconnections driven by globalization have made geographical knowledge increasingly important. The Geography degree program focuses on the study of geographical subjects and provides practical skill development through both field-based learning and remote learning.

The Master of Arts in Geography (MAG) focuses on studying the interactions between the physical environment and the social environment. Students study a wide range of subjects in geography, including Population and Development, Migration and Urbanization , Urban Geography and Sustainability, Hydrogeography, Geographic Information System and Spatial Analysis, Health Geography,​​ Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Advanced Economic Geography, Research and Statistical Methods, and Urban Climate, with examples drawn from both developed and developing countries.

In response to the growing need for advanced knowledge and skills in the current context, the Department of Geography and Land Management decided to launch the Master of Arts in Geography in 2022.

Vision

To provide students with high-quality geographical knowledge and skills through the application of both theoretical and practical learning.

Mission

To contribute to the development of students’ capacities through the provision of education, experience, skills, and employment opportunities to serve in public institutions, private institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Objectives

The Master of Arts in Geography provides students with skills to strengthen and expand their knowledge in multidesciplines in Geography including Human Geography, Physical Geography, Geospatial Analysis and Research.

The master’s program aims to respond to the growing employment opportunities, the rapid evolution of knowledge, and the need to build highly capable human resources.

Strategy

To achieve the above mission and objectives, the Master of Arts in Geography has established the following key strategies:

• Enhance geographical competencies among master’s students.

• Promote research through analytical studies, field practice, and remote applications using geographical techniques.

• Encourage participation in research, seminars, and publications.

• Develop leadership and soft skills among students.

Eligible Applicant

• English proficiency test- at least Intermediate level

• Bachelor degree holder from any department, some learning on geography knowledge

• Those who are from any relevant organization/ministry with requirement to take pre-requisite course in geography

Application Process

• Complete English proficiency test

• Provide 2 letters of recommendation

• Provide official undergraduate transcript

• Provide letter of support from workplace (for organization/ministry)

Duration of Program

Two-years program= 45 credits

• Year 1 equals to 8 subjects of the course works (3 credits each, total 24)

  • Semester one - 4 subjects-required (12 credits)

  • Semester two - 4 subjects-required (12 credits)

• Year 2 equal to 4 subjects and thesis (total 21 credits)

  • Semester one - 4 subjects-required (9 credits)

  • Semester two: Thesis (12 credits)

Programs description 

This program is designed to provide training in the art and science of collecting, evaluating, and analyzing demography, economic, health, climate change, disaster management, water and climate, urban development and spatial analysis issues, which interact with human (socioeconomic) and environment factors. It is designed for individuals working in applied geography and other related areas in academic institutions.  Students are exposed to a wide range of theoretical and applied research with special emphasis on socio-economic and environment issues. Beside of those, students become to be skillful not only in using computer programs such as KoboToolbox, STATA, and SPSS for data processing, management and data analysis but also specialize in using spatial analysis tools such as remote sensing and GIS through ArcGIS/QGIS for analyzing and interpreting the spatial data of their studies. The program also includes evaluation or assessment components in the courses offered as following: 

Year 1 (24 credits)

Semester 1 (4 subjects = 12 credits)-required

1. Population and Development (3 Credits) 

2. Urban Geography and Sustainability (3 Credits)

3. Hydrogeography: Water and Climate (3 Credits)

4. Fundamentals of Geographic Information System and Spatial Analysis (3 Credits) 

Semester 2 (4 subjects = 12 credits)-required

1. Migration and Urbanization (3 Credits) 

2. Health Geography (3 Credits) 

3. Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (3 Credits)

4. Applied Geographic Information System and Spatial Analysis: Case Studies (3 Credits) 

Year 1 (Summer Vacation)

Internship Opportunity

Year 2 (21 credits)

Semester 1 (4 subjects = 9 Credits)-required

1. Advanced Economic Geography (3 Credits)
2. Urban Climate (3 Credits)

3. Research and Statistical Methods (3 Credits)

4. Research Seminar (Student lead discussion)

Semester 2 (12 Credits)

Thesis (proposal = 3 Credits and defense = 9 Credits)

Professional/career

The graduate students will gain their knowledge and skills in preparing for employment. Graduates of our program can find various job opportunities in public and private sectors as teachers, government staff, and continue to pursue a doctoral program. Our program allows for the pursuit of students' individual needs and interests, allowing students to create a plan of study that fits their personal and professional goals. Since the course deals with various physical, human, health, earth, geoinformatics, and development, these graduate students can work as programmers and researchers with experts in the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and profit organizations.