Skip to main content

2012-2013 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Geography

Requirements for a Major in Geography

Students majoring in geography are required to complete a minimum of 36 credits. Majors are required to complete four core courses:

The remainder of the requirements (24 credit hours) is comprised of electives that students select in close consultation with their academic advisor. Of the remaining 24 credit hours students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours offered through the Department of Geography and Planning. The remaining 9 hours may be selected from cognate courses from other departments listed below.

Students generally focus their electives beyond the core courses in certain areas of academic interest (for example, geographic methods (GIS remote sensing and image processing and cartography), city and regional planning, environmental geography, or regional/global studies). However, it is suggested that a certain breadth across these areas is desirable to provide flexibility and marketability in the search for employment and/or acceptance in graduate school. No more than six hours of 399 and 499 combines may count toward the major.

Degree Cognates

The B.A. degree requires third semester proficiency in a foreign language.

The B.S. degree cognate sequence requirement consists of three courses:

City and Regional Planning Courses:

Courses from other departments that count as electives toward city and regional planning:

Environmental Geography Courses:

Courses from other departments that count as electives toward environmental geography:

Geographic Techniques Courses:

Courses from other departments that count as electives toward geographic techniques:

Regional Studies and Global Study Courses:

Courses from other departments that count as electives toward regional and global studies:

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Geography

First Year, Fall Semester

First Year, Winter Semester

Second Year, Fall Semester

Second Year, Winter Semester

Third Year, Fall Semester

Third Year, Winter Semester

  • General education theme course 2
  • Minor course
  • Geography focus area course
  • Minor course

Fourth Year, Fall Semester

Fourth Year, Winter Semester

  • Geography focus area course
  • Geography focus area course
  • Minor course
  • Minor course
  • General education course

Click here for the program description.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.