Degree Requirements

Requirements for a Major in Geography for the B.A. degree: 47 hours. Core requirements: GGY 130, 140, 180, 181, 205, 320 and 495 (21 hours). In addition, students must complete a minimum of 17 hours within a chosen option, 9 hours outside of the option, at least one laboratory class (**), and at least one regional class (***). At least 14 hours must be above the 299 level.

Option 1. Applied Geography. Option requirements: GGY 222, 224 and 270. Choose a minimum of 8 hours from GGY 324**, 422**, 426**, 473, 478. This option is designed for students who are interested in careers as planners, remote sensing and GIS specialists, and historic preservationists.

Option 2. Human Geography. Option requirements: GGY 210 and 382. Choose a minimum of 11 hours from GGY 245, 255***, 282***, 312, 317, 340, 350, 383***, 384***, 385***, 388***, 452 and 485***. This option is designed for students who are interested in careers as regional specialists, international business officials, and social scientists.

Option 3. Physical Geography. Option requirements: GGY 222, 230, and 335**. Choose a minimum of 7 hours from GGY 333**, 336, 337, 433 and 435. This option is designed for students who are interested in careers as climatologists/meteorologists, geomorphologists, and hydrologists.

A “C” (2.00) or better average is required on all courses taken within the department and on all required courses above the 199 level in the department.

Computer Competency Requirement: To satisfy the computer competency requirement for the B.A. degree in geography a student must successfully complete GGY205 and 320.

Oral Communication Competency Requirement: To satisfy the oral communication competency requirement for the B.A. degree in geography a student must successfully complete GGY 495.

Requirements for a Minor in Geography: 23 hours. GGY 130, 140, 180 or 181, 205, 320 and 6 additional hours of geography courses, all of which must be at the 300-400 level.

A "C" (2.00) or better average is required for courses counted toward the minor.

Requirements for a Certificate in Geographic Information Science:  20 hours.  Students in any major can achieve certification in geographic information science (GISci).  GISci certification can provide valuable career potential for those seeking careers as geographic information systems, cartography, and image processing specialists.  Required courses include:  GGY 205, 222, 320, 328 and 422, and 4 additional hours selected from GGY 424 or 426.

An overall average of “C” (2.00) or better is required among courses taken for the certification.