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GeographyMajor

Geography opens worlds of discovery. You’ll learn to analyze the variation of human activity that exists among places, regions and countries, and examine the relationship between the natural environment and human activities.

Overview

What is Geography at WVU like?

Description

Geography provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to analyze the variation in human activity that exists among places, regions and countries. This knowledge allows geographers to explain why some places are more or less developed than others, to suggest ways in which development can be planned and to examine the relationship between the natural environment and human activities.

Geography program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Geographic Information Science
  • Global Environmental Change
  • Globalization and Development

Fast Facts

What makes Geography at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

In addition to the major's three areas of emphasis, an individualized program of study is also available combining elements of the three options.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Geography. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • GEOG 102: World Regions
  • GEOG 149: Digital Earth Lab
  • GEOG 150: Digital Earth

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

WVUteach

Do you want a another career option? You can earn a secondary teaching certificate through WVUteach while completing a four-year degree in WVU's Geography major. One degree, two degree options.

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Geography is forecast to have the strongest growth among all STEM disciplines (Bureau of Labor Statistics Dec. 2014).

Graduates are qualified careers in both the private and public sectors. In industry, geographers are hired as geographic information system analysts, business location researchers, environmental impact consultants, market analysts and cartographers. In government, geographers can work as local urban planners, regional and state economic development specialists, environmental and resource development analysts, land-use planners, international development agency advisors, teachers and trainers, researchers, cartographers, as well as geographic information system analysts. Some graduates may also use their training to pursue careers as environmental or community activists in non-profit organizations.

Finally, many Geography students go on to graduate school to obtain further training, most commonly in geography or planning, but also in fields as diverse as law, information science and environmental studies.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Geography major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Geography at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Geography major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

GEOG 107:
Physical Geography

Introduction to global environmental systems operating on the earth's surface, emphasizing weather and climate, soils, natural vegetation, and geomorphology, and examination of human interaction with these natural processes.

GEOG 108:
Human Geography

Introduction to geographical dimension in human behavior and the human altered landscape including social, demographic, economic, and political attributes of societies.

GEOG 150:
Digital Earth

PR or CONC: GEOG 149. Recent advances in technology and data availability have increased our knowledge about the world. This class surveys key concepts of geospatial technologies (GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis) in the context of social and environmental change.

GEOG 207:
Climate and Environment

Examination of atmospheric processes and the impact of human activity on climate.

GEOG 240:
United States and Canada

Regional study of the United States and Canada emphasizing such geographic features as climate, natural vegetation, topography, natural resources, population distribution and trends, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation systems, and regional culture.

GEOG 243:
Geography of Africa

Systematic and regional characteristics and geographic problems of political, social, and economic development.

GEOG 300:
Geographical Data Analysis

Quantitative techniques for collection, classification, and spatial analysis of geographical data with emphasis on map analysis and application of spatial statistics.

GEOG 302:
Political Geography

Examines the interrelationship between politics and the environment, human territoriality, the political organization of space, geopolitical aspects of the nation-state and international problems.

GEOG 307:
Biogeography: Theory and Method

An introduction to the field of biogeography including the study of the distribution and diversity of life, how species migrate, the importance of natural and human disturbances in ecosystems.

GEOG 317:
Climatological Analysis

Statistical analysis and interpretation of climatological data and application to physical and human problems across the globe using user-friendly tools. (Also listed as GEOG 517)

GEOG 350:
Geographic Information Systems and Science

Explores concepts, principles and practice of acquiring, storing, analyzing, display and use of geographic information.

GEOG 412:
Geography of Gender

An exploration of how gender affects spatial patterns and processes. Theoretical and empirical aspects of feminism are analyzed including women and employment, third world feminism, sexuality and space, and gender in academia.

GEOG 425:
Urban and Regional Planning

Explores concepts, techniques, and processes of physical and socioeconomic planning and their application to urban and regional problems.

GEOG 485:
Methods of Geographic Research

Geographic analysis as problem-solving activity. Practical experience in field techniques, library research, hypothesis formation and testing, and report preparation and presentation. Students will acquire skills in literary and numerical approaches to geographic data analysis.

Cost and Aid

How much does Geography at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $428
Per Semester $5,136
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,272
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,165
Per Semester $13,980
Fall and Spring Semesters $27,960
International
Per Credit $1,165
Per Semester $14,280
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,560
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Net Price Calculator

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Geography. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • GEOG 102: World Regions
  • GEOG 149: Digital Earth Lab
  • GEOG 150: Digital Earth

Learn About Our HS ACCESS Early College Program

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Geography at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Geography major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Geography at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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