Geography

Geography graduates are prepared for jobs in areas that require analytic and geospatial technology skills or for graduate studies that focus more narrowly on one or more geographic sub-disciplines.

Geography is a broad, integrative discipline that bridges the physical and social sciences to study the interactions that take place between people, culture, society, natural environments and places across the globe.

Geography provides essential insights about these interactions to the private and public sectors, as well as the academic community.

Admission Information

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Quality classroom experiences

The geography program is designed around the department’s focus on the spatial analysis of regional change and development. Within this focus, the primary emphasis is on applied human geographic dimensions of resources, land use, population, and socio-economic analysis.

Example courses include Latin America Landscapes. This course introduces students to the physical and human landscapes of Latin America. We utilize a regional as well as a systematic approach to the study of the geography of Latin America. Topics covered include physical geography/environment; ancient cultures; colonization and its impacts; demographic characteristics; globalization; political considerations and urbanization.

The BGSU geography course, Spatial Business Analytics, demonstrates another potential career path for a geography major. The geographical study of marketing emphasizes the spatial nature of commerce. Its primary focus is on geodemographic analysis, location analysis, location of retailing, and Geographic Information System (GIS) business applications.

Stand Out in courses like

Geographic Information Systems
Statistics & Research Methods
Earth Environments
Global Economy
Population Geography
Geospatial Science

Curriculum

Geography faculty train our students to comprehend and associate concepts, collect and understand various sources of data, and use tools and techniques to analyze and display spatial information.

The degree program is designed around the department’s focus on spatial analysis of human interactions with the social, cultural and natural environments. The ability to identify and articulate spatial relationships with the use of geospatial techniques is strongly emphasized and integrated into the curriculum.

Spatial analysis techniques of computer mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing are also emphasized and integrated. All geography majors are advised to take a course in statistics as well.

Salary and Placement Information

$37,648* — Geography graduates average starting salary according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers

100% of BGSU geography graduates report they’re employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation

(BGSU data compiled from students who completed the related questions on the graduation survey.)

The BGSU chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geographical honor society, was founded in 1948 and is one of the oldest chapters in the United States.

Internships and Careers

The reliance on geography and geographic analysis is growing and will continue to expand in the future. Students who major in geography are encouraged to participate in an internship to apply what they learn in the classroom to practical job situations.

Geographers are employed throughout business, industry, government and educational institutions. Using technologies like remote sensing using drones, GIS, and satellite imagery analysis, geographers answer questions about the nature of oil spills, crop production or water quality, or other societal concerns.

Go Far in your career

City Planning
Economic Development
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Environmental Conservation
Government
Insurance
Military Intelligence
Public Health
Telecommunications

The BGSU Geography Club

The BGSU Geography Club is a community of geography enthusiasts who work to introduce and promote the knowledge of geographical issues on the BGSU campus. The club welcomes the participation of students, faculty, and alumni from any major or minor.

Examples of past club activities include a trip to help clean up tornado damage in the Oak Openings region of northwest Ohio, participation in a Severe Weather Symposium, holiday and pizza parties, and various community service activities.

More Information

The Geography program is part of the School of Earth, Environment and Society in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in geography will be able to:

Analyze and compare spatial phenomena and the underlying processes that shape them.
Examine and understand human-environment interactions and their impacts at various spatial and temporal scales.
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills related to geographic knowledge.
Use geospatial technologies to integrate, manage, process, analyze and visualize spatial and statistical data.

Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012-2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

More information on accreditation

Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The geography program does not lead to professional licensure.

More information on professional licensure

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Geography program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Specializations

Geographic Information Systems
Human Dimensions of Climate Change

* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 05/13/2021 11:54AM