B.A. Geography

Explore the environmental, social, political, and economic processes that shape places and our lives. 

About the Major

Geographers study the relationships between people and their environments. They explore the environmental, social, political, and economic processes that shape places and how the places we create in turn shape our lives. Geography's interdisciplinary nature makes it indispensable for understanding the major challenges facing us in today's globalized world.

With a B.A. in Geography, you may focus on specific world landscapes and cultures, areas such as urban, political, economic, or cultural geography, or human-environment relations. You will learn to analyze data and policy in order to address and research critical questions about the world they live in. Internships are integral to the major, and credit can be earned for internships in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. 

We also offer a B.S. in Geography for students interested in concentrating in physical geography, GIS, or water, land and society.

Areas of Study

You'll take courses in human and environmental relationships, methods of geographic research, and other topics outside of the U.S. geography.

• Introductory geography courses: Fundamentals of human relationships with geography and the physical environment. 
• Methods: Application of technology, research methods, and modeling for geography. 
• Non-U.S. regional focus: Explore different geographies from around the world from Central America to Eastern Asia.
• Senior Capstone: Explore human relationships with the U.S. landscapes in more depth or survey problems of environment/society relationships in the global setting.

See degree requirements

Required Minor

All majors in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences require a minor (or double major). We encourage you to seek out departments with courses that complement your area of study. Some of the areas of interest you may look into include: public administration and policy, environmental science, information science, ecology, and much more.

Career Pathways

As a graduate of a field critical to the future of the planet, you will have multiple career opportunities:

• International policy analyst
• Environmental health and safety officer
• Emergency management professional
• Urban sustainability consultant
• Teacher