Major code BA4231

College of Arts and Sciences  
Geography Department  
Clippinger Laboratories 122
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1140
www.ohio.edu/cas/geography

Edna Wangui, Chair
wangui@ohio.edu
Brad Jokisch, contact person
jokisch@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Geographers are interested in the spatial patterns observed on earth. Bridging the natural and social sciences, Geography is the interdisciplinary study of environments and how people interact with the environment. It is important to study geography because many of the world’s problems require understanding the interdependence between human activities and the environment. Geography is therefore a beneficial major for students because its theories and methods provide them with analytical skills relevant to occupations focused on solving social and environmental problems. The Department of Geography offers eight majors that help students tailor their focus of study. 

The Geography Bachelor of Arts major affords students flexibility in designing a curriculum that combines the traditions of physical and human geography with analytical and technical skills.

Our department is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several of our faculty members have received teaching awards, and we are known across campus for the quality of our advising. As a geography major, you will meet one-on-one with your faculty advisor every semester during advising week, and you are always welcome to talk with your advisor at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising our students about their academic programs, we provide timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many of our students complete internships and several of our students over the last few years have received nationally competitive awards.

For more information about our program, please view this video, visit our website, or contact our faculty contact person, whose information is listed above. 

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. The application deadline is November 15th.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements. The application deadline is November 15th.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements. The application deadline is November 15th.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A degree in geography prepares students for a variety of career paths, including environmental planning, international and community development, foreign service, cultural and historic preservation, and management of geographic information systems. Examples of potential employers include, but are not limited, to the following: private and public firms and agencies that employ geographic information systems; education (public and private K-12 schools and higher education); local, state, or federal governments; city and regional planning agencies; architecture firms; non-profit organizations; museum and historical sites; etc.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements