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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Geography, B.A.
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Program Description
Students complete a common core that gives a firm foundation in essential geographical knowledge which includes human geography, physical geography, geospatial techniques, statistics, and human/land relations.
Beyond the core, concentrations encourage a deeper understanding of the discipline and the relevant skills to address critical problems faced by humanity. These concentrations can be customized to the student’s interests (Custom) or focus on a particular area within Geography (Applied Geographic Information Science; Environment, Conservation, Sustainability and Development).
Degree and Major Requirements
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Degree Requirements
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Credit Hours |
| General Education 1 |
41 |
| Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2 |
0-14 |
| Philosophy course(s) (in addition to General Education courses) |
3 |
| Major requirements |
50 |
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Electives
Total
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12-26
120
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Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major. ISAT 251 for the math requirement in The Natural World is strongly recommended, as is GEOG 200 in American and Global Perspectives .
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures placement test.
Major Requirements
Minimum Grades
In addition to the geography core courses, students must choose a concentration, listed in the “Concentrations” section. All courses for the major must be taken on a graded basis. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each of the core courses as they are prerequisites to most concentration courses.
Choose One Statistics Course: 3 Credit Hours
Major Requirements Total: 50 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 For Honors students, the advanced sequence is GEOG 499A , GEOG 499B , GEOG 499C .
2 Students may opt for a capstone experience that entails three or six hours of independent research (GEOG 490 ), with the approval of and in close consultation with a project advisor.
Geography Concentrations
Applied Geographic Information Science (AGIS) Concentration
JMU geography graduates with an AGIS concentration are prepared to gain professional employment in government and industry, and to go on to graduate programs. Public agencies where they find employment include local and regional planning agencies, mapping organizations, intelligence agencies, and agencies focused on the environment and public land management. JMU AGIS graduates find opportunities in industry with many companies, including federal and local government contractors, geospatial software companies, companies that collect and process geospatial data such as satellite imagery and street map data, and environmental consulting firms. Multiple top graduate programs have accepted AGIS graduates to continue their studies in geography and other fields that relate to geospatial technologies.
In addition to the geography core requirements, students in the AGIS concentration must complete the following course work. Choose nine credit hours from the following electives: 9 Credit Hours
Up to one concentration-related course from another program may be used as an elective with the approval of the student’s advisor.
AGIS Cognate Course: 3 Credit Hours
AGIS Concentration Total: 24 Credit Hours
Geography Custom Concentration
Methods Course: 3 Credit Hours
In addition to the geography core requirements, students in the customized concentration must complete one of the following methods courses:
Declared Pathway
Students will choose from a set of courses, approved by a program advisor, on the basis of how they fit together thematically and support the educational objectives of the geography program. Students must take a minimum of 21 credit hours at the 300 level or above (in addition to the methods course). At least 6 of these 21 credit hours must be at the 400 level or above.
Geography Custom Concentration Total: 24 Credit Hours
Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development Concentration
The Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development (ECSD) concentration focuses on the geographical contexts within which people and places interact. Required and elective course work allows students to explore spatial and temporal patterning between human communities and the natural environment at multiple scales. The curriculum addresses global issues such as global climate change and globalization; environment and human interactions including political, economic, physical and ethical factors; human and ecological aspects of sustainable development; natural resource management including energy, forests, wildlife and biodiversity; cultural ecology; regional geography; and population issues. JMU geography graduates with an ECSD concentration are prepared to gain professional employment and to go on to graduate programs.
In addition to the geography core requirements, students in the Environmental Conservation, Sustainability and Development concentration must complete the following course work. Senior Seminar Course: 3 Credit Hours
Select three credit hours from the following: ECSD Electives: 18 Credit Hours
Select 18 credit hours from the following.
These 300-level courses are identified on the concentration form, which will be reviewed and approved by the student’s academic advisor.
In consultation with the academic advisor, a student may select one non-geography course as an elective.
Cognate Course: 3 Credit Hours
Select three credit hours from the following: ECSD Concentration Total: 24 Credit Hours
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Second Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- Advanced sequence GEOG 400-level courses Credits: 6.00
- Concentration and minor requirements Credits: 21.00
- Electives Credits: 3.00
Fourth Year Total: 30 Credit Hours
Program Total: 120 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 It is recommended that GEOG 210 and GEOG 216 not be taken during a student’s first semester.
2 Enroll in MATH 105 if the ALEKS score is <46. If score placed the student into MATH 220 , MATH 220 may be taken as early as the spring of the first year. Alternatively, ISAT 251 can be taken during the sophomore year.
3 It is recommended that GEOG 365 and GEOG 366 not be taken in the same semester. |
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