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Major in Geography - BS or BA
Geography Major Course Checklist (2012-present)
Geography Major Course Checklist (2010-2011)
Geography Major Course Checklist (2008-2009)
Geography Major Course Checklist (2006-2008)
The Geography Department at Marshall University offers a supportive atmosphere featuring responsive, accomplished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Geography majors study the traditional foundations and tools of the discipline and have access to the latest technology for research and preparation for employment. The department maintains a large historical map library, a physical geography lab, and a Geographic Information Systems/Remote Sensing (GIS/RS) lab. Students in Geography at Marshall enjoy many opportunities to interact with faculty and other students and to actively participate in regional and national-level geography organizations.
Graduates of the program have enjoyed successful careers as urban and regional planners, cartographers, GIS analysts, environmental consultants, tourism professionals, mineral resource analysts, historic preservation planners, transportation planners, and teachers. Many of our majors have secured employment prior to graduation, reflecting the demand for professional geographers in a variety of fields, while others successfully pursue master’s degrees.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts may major in Geography and earn either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The B.A. degree in Geography is for students who prefer human geography, such as regional, cultural, political, economic geography, GIS, or urban planning. The B.S. degree in Geography is for students who prefer physical geography, such as environmental science, meteorology/climatology, land use planning, GIS, or remote sensing.
The undergraduate program in Geography consists of core requirements, including a capstone course (GEO 420), and geography electives for a minimum of 35 hours of geography coursework. Students should choose geography electives appropriate to the B.A. (social science) or B.S. (natural science) in consultation with a faculty advisor. Several core geography requirements and some electives are available as online courses (e.g., GEO 100, 101, 203, 222, 230, 305, 317, 404, 426). In consultation with a faculty advisor, students must choose an appropriate natural science (B.S.) or social science (B.A.) minor.
All Geography majors are required to earn a C or better in their Geography
coursework if those hours are to count toward graduation.
Core Undergraduate Requirements
*Physical Geography (CT) fulfills 4 hours of the College of Liberal Arts natural science requirement.
**Each of these courses fulfills 3 hours of the International Studies requirement of the
university’s General Education requirement.
