All of Ohio University’s geography programs are available at the residential Athens campus. Attending school in Athens not only gives you access to valuable tools and research laboratories, like the Scalia Laboratory for Atmospheric Analysis, it also connects you to expert faculty who can provide research assistance, professional mentoring, and so much more.
Geography Undergraduate Degrees
Geography Degrees to Predict Weather, Combat Climate Change, and Map our World
Planet Earth is always changing – in no small part because of humans! Rising temperatures, natural disasters, and destructive development are just a few examples. These changes can seem too mysterious to grasp, and issues like climate change and deforestation may seem impossible to fix.
But a geography degree from Ohio University unveils the core causes of these kinds of challenges and empowers you to make a positive difference for people and the planet at the same time.
Choose What You Want to Learn
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Broadcast Meteorology (B.S.)Our broadcast meteorology program is designed specifically for future weather forecasters. It blends journalism and atmospheric science to train you for careers in all aspects of broadcast meteorology. You’ll receive specialized training in journalism and reporting for this major, plus complete all the course requirements for the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorology Program.
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Geography – Climate, Environment & Society (B.S.)The climate, environment and society program is an excellent option for those who want to help solve the challenges brought about by climate change and other environmental challenges. Courses focus on global climate change, food security, water resources, and environmental justice, combining a focus on both core environmental geography and the impact of human society on climate-related issues.
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Geography – Environmental Pre-Law (B.S.)OHIO’s environmental pre-law major is designed for future lawyers interested in the environment. That might include working with corporations and NGOs to make American more sustainable or pursue environmental justice. You might work on projects such as housing, construction, windmills, solar farms, factory farms, and corporate emissions as you strive make the U.S. more sustainable and promote green energy and clean food.
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Geographic Information Science (B.S.)The GIS geography program is a technical major that prepares you for a career as a geospatial scientist. You'll get state-of-the-art instruction in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and cartographic science. Practical experience with specialized software helps you become proficient in encoding, analyzing, and mapping geographically referenced information about our natural and cultural environments.
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Geography (B.A.)Students can pursue OHIO’s core Bachelor of Geography program as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of the Arts. Choose the big-picture B.A. program that focuses on human geography and become an expert in the interdependence between human activities and the environment. It’s a stellar degree choice for future teachers, foreign service officers, preservationists, and more.
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Geography (B.S.)Choose to pursue Ohio University's Bachelor of Geography program as a Bachelor of Science degree and combine physical and human geography with analytical skills. A concentration in physical and geospatial courses makes this a stellar degree choice for environmental planning, management of geographic information systems, and more.
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Geography – Globalization and Development (B.A.)The globalization and development program is excellent for geography students who want to make a positive social impact in the places where it’s most needed, such as Appalachia, Asia, Africa and Latin America. This undergraduate geography degree program combines classes on environmental justice, how human development impacts geographical processes, globalization, and similar topics.
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Geography – Meteorology (B.S.)The meteorology degree prepares you to analyze the weather as a meteorologist in public, government, military or private sector positions. By meeting the requirements of both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Service, this major is perfect for scientists who want to understand the planet's complicated weather patterns or pursue graduate studies in meteorology, climatology or atmospheric science.
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Geography – Urban Planning and Sustainability (B.S.)Pursue the urban planning and sustainability major and you can help lead the charge in solving the most difficult problems that our cities are facing. You’ll learn about smart, sustainable and livable urban environments, urban spacial restructuring, economic revitalization, and green infrastructure. Your efforts will help to minimize environmental impacts and help cities develop in harmony with nature.
Choose Where You Want to Learn
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Athens, OH, Residential Campus
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Regional Campuses
Some geography or general education classes are available at Ohio University’s regional campuses.
Athens Weather by OHIO Students
Data from the Scalia Lab weather station in Athens, OH. Data updates every two minutes.
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Careers in Geography
Curious what you can do with a geography degree? For starters, geography graduates will have no shortage of high-paying, respectable career choices, especially if they concentrate their studies on a particular major or field. A few examples of exciting geography jobs include:
- Meteorologist
- Climate change analyst
- GIS and Geospatial analyst
- Data specialist
- Environmental consultant
- Urban and regional planner
- Waste and pollution manager
- Conservationist or census specialist
- International development specialist
- Cartographer
Get more career information at the American Association of Geographers website.
Post-grad Opportunities for Geography Majors
Geography majors at Ohio University pursue diverse paths after graduation, including continuing their education at Ohio University through our geography graduate programs.
If the science of physical or environmental geography fascinates you or you want to master geographic information science, our Master of Science in Geography is an excellent choice. It can prepare you for career opportunities related to environmental or climate change — or to pursue advanced research in a Ph.D. program.
If you want to dive deeper into human geography, our Master of Arts in Geography is a good choice. Available with both thesis and non-thesis completion options, our M.A. students are prepared to launch careers in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and international organizations that emphasize human geography subfields, environmental justice, and urban development.
Study Climate Change, Conservation & Environmental Justice in Kenya
Geography students study the intertwined challenges of climate change and conservation confronting rural communities in Kenya.
Get Hands-on Experience with Your Geography Degree
Our geography programs provide important experiential learning opportunities for students. What you learn in the class is also valuable and applicable in the field, so you’ll get the chance to participate in research projects, collect data, and give back.
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Complete at Least One Internship
Most geography students complete at least one internship, though many complete multiple internships to gain additional skills and experience. By the time they graduate, they’re well prepared for their jobs — and commonly impress employers right out of the gate.
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Use State-of-the-Art Geography Research Facilities
Students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment at laboratories and facilities for geography research. From the beginning of your geography studies, you’ll have what you need to undertake research projects, study geographical data and weather patterns, and get experience on the same work you’ll accomplish in your professional future.
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Earn Credits for Geography Research
Don’t forget the plethora of geography research trips and projects you can participate in! In fact, you can contribute your research experience to your degree’s credit total, accelerating your progress and enriching your education. Or complete a senior thesis and earn Departmental Honors.
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Join Geography Student Organizations
Connect with fellow geography students when you join geography clubs and student organizations. Take advantage of opportunities like the Geography Club and the award-winning American Meteorological Society Chapter! They’re great ways to broaden your social network and dive deep into the industry before your career begins.
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Attend the Geography Research Fair
Each fall semester, geography students can attend the Geography Research Fair, the perfect place to showcase the fruits of your geography research and collaborate with peers, professors and professionals from around the state.
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Forecast the Weather with the Scalia Lab
Get your first experience forecasting the weather at Ohio University's Scalia Laboratory for Atmospheric Analysis. You'll have access to national weather service plus OHIO's own weather station data. Scalia is the region's only local 24-hour weather station.
Why Choose a Geography Degree?
It’s no secret that our planet faces immense challenges in the future, many of which are directly due to human activity. Understanding and resolving these challenges quickly is vital for the United States and people around the globe. If you’ve always been fascinated with geographical processes, the complex nature of weather systems, or how human activity impacts ecological growth or decay, a bachelor’s degree in geography is a phenomenal choice.
Depending on your concentration, you’ll get the tools you need to make a real difference, whether that’s through helping cities and nations build carefully and sustainably, devising new ways to combat climate change, or helping at-risk people anticipate or avoid the risk of disasters like drought, floods, and more. A geography degree from Ohio University opens doors for your future and enables you to do meaningful work that can benefit everyone.
Student Support Resources for Geography Majors
Geography majors at Ohio University quickly find that their faculty members are supportive experts, ready to provide one-on-one mentorship and professional guidance as needed — even beyond each student’s assigned College of Arts & Sciences success advisor. Our faculty is also extremely diverse, reflecting the natural diversity in human populations worldwide.
These diverse perspectives enable geography faculty to assist first-generation students or those from underrepresented groups. Meanwhile, geography students can explore various forms of funding, such as the Geography Study Away Fund, geography research grants, and scholarships.
The OHIO Experience for Geography Majors
At Ohio University, studying geography isn’t just studying maps, geographical processes, or any other single aspect of this broad field. Indeed, every geography student at OHIO benefits from a rich, well-rounded education that combines the science-relevant and human-focused sides of geography, regardless of concentration or program.
Because of the comprehensive focus of our geography programs, graduates emerge as strong critical thinkers, ready to help solve some of the biggest problems facing the planet, ranging from climate change to sustainable urban development. These valuable degrees may lead you to unexpected yet fulfilling destinations you never could have anticipated or plotted on any map!