It is our goal to make sure that you receive the attention and direction you deserve. Each incoming graduate student will work with the advising team for the first two years in the program. Beth King and Fritz Kessler are on the advising team. The student will be assigned to an advisor around the start of their third year in the program. The student will work with this advisor throughout their culminating experience project. The Scholarly Paper or Thesis Advisor will be appointed by the Advising Coordinator.
A member of the Penn State Graduate Faculty will be assigned to the MS SDS Candidate for Scholarly Paper or Thesis advising. The advisor meets with the student on a regular basis beginning with GEOG 570 or GEOG 600 culminating with the final presentation of research project.
The Assistant Program Manager can help you with non-advising questions, such as scheduling or credit requirements.
Advising Coordinator
Fritz Kessler is the advising coordinator for the MS SDS program. Fritz will answer any advising related questions you have in the first two years of your coursework. He will work with you to determine your capstone project interests and assign a permanent advisor to you.
Assistant Program Manager for Online Geospatial Education
Beth King is the Assistant Program Manager for Online Geospatial Education. Beth will help track your progress in the program and make sure you have the information you need when making decisions about coursework. She can address questions and concerns or direct those questions to an appropriate faculty member or adviser.
If you want to get in touch with Fritz or Beth, please use the email mgis.advising@e-education.psu.edu (they both receive those emails) or give Beth a call at (814) 865-9164.