Degree Requirements
Geography Core Requirements (36 hours)
- GEOG 201 – World Regions
- GEOG 205 – Human Geography
- GEOG 210 – Physical Geography
- GEOG 320 – Cartography
- GEOG 321 – Quantitative Techniques
- Two human geography courses, after completing GEOG 205, from among the following: 300, 301, 303, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 451
- Two physical geography courses, after completing GEOG 210, from among the following: 311, 314, 315, 316, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 414, 415, 416, 417, 429, 430, 452
- One regional geography course, after completing GEOG 201, from among the following: 330, 332, 333, 334, 335, 453
- One geography techniques course, after completing GEOG 320, from among the following: 322, 418, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 431, 432, 454
- GEOG 499 Senior Assignment is completed over a two-semester period. A grade of DE (deferred) is assigned at the end of the first semester.
Note: The following courses may be taken as part of an online Degree Completion program when they are scheduled in an 8-week, online format. GEOG 202, GEOG 210, GEOG 211, GEOG 300, GEOG 335, GEOG 418, GEOG 453
Minor or Area of Specialization (18 hours)
Geography majors must complete either an existing minor or an area of specialization option. The area of specialization option is designed to give students an opportunity to further explore the breadth and depth of geography and related disciplines, and consists of 18 hours of coursework beyond the major. The area of specialization may include courses from a variety of departments, including geography (courses must be in addition to all major requirements), and it must be designed in consultation with a geography faculty member and approved by the department chair. All courses taken as part of an area of specialization require a minimum grade of C. Geography majors can minor in urban studies, geographic information systems and/or meteorology and climatology, however, geography majors cannot minor in geography.
Electives (22-24 hours)
Requirements for Students Seeking Professional Education Licensure for Grades 9-12
Geography majors who intend to teach at the secondary level may complete the Bachelor of Science with a major in geography. The major constitutes the teaching field of concentration. In addition, students pursuing teacher licensure must complete the strong minor in social science education (see the sample curriculum).
Admission to a professional education program is a joint decision made by the academic discipline in the College of Arts and Science (CAS) and the School of Education Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). Therefore, as soon as they know they would like to pursue this option, it is essential that any student desiring teacher licensure meet with an advisor in the School of Education Health and Human Behavior Student Services for information about admission requirement to courses leading to the professional educator licensure. Scheduling these required courses involves early and frequent coordination between the student, CAS advisor, department faculty mentor, and SEHHB advisor. An overall GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the teacher licensure program. Overall GPAs will be calculated based on all college courses taken at all institutions. All geography courses must be at a grade of 3.0 or higher to student teach. No course with a grade less than a "C" will be applied to meet professional educator licensure requirements.
Students seeking Professional Educator Licensure (PEL) must meet specific general education and professional education requirements, and must pass state and licensure tests prior to admission, during their program, and in order to gain the PEL. State requirements change, and the latest details about these requirements can be found in the School of Education Health and Human Behavior section of the undergraduate academic catalog, the SEHHB website, and by making an appointment with an SEHHB advisor.
Retention
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in good academic standing. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation, returned to undeclared status and limited to a maximum of 12 hours of enrollment per semester.
