Geography, B.A.

The B.A in Geography is for students interested in the spatial and human dimensions of places, cities, and regions. Students will explore concepts and issues related to population dynamics and migration, globalization, planning, economic development, transportation systems, connectivity and accessibility, segregation, urban growth and decline. These themes are explored at the local, regional, and global scales. Students will have a chance to benefit from our areas of regional specialization: West Virginia, Appalachia, U.S. and Canada, and Latin America. The B.A. in Geography degree requires a minimum total of 39 hours of Geography coursework. Beyond the Geography Core Requirements, students choose a minimum of 12 credit hours from Human or Regional Geography. Remaining electives may be chosen from any GEO courses. 

Geography Core Requirements (B.A.): 19 credit hours

  • GEO 100 Human Geography (CTI (3 credits)
  • GEO 101 Physical Geography (CT) (4 credits)
  • Any Regional Geography course (3 credits}
  • GEO 300 Methods in Geography (3 credits; prerequisite STA150 and 150L (preferred), STA225 or MGT 218, PSY 223, SOC 345/ANT 301 or equivalent)
  • GEO 423 Cartography and GIS (3 credits}
  • GEO 499 Senior Capstone (3 credits)

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course Requirements

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
GEO 100 Bison image Intro to Human Geography (CT)3
STA 150 Bison image Foundations of Statistics3
STA 150L Bison image Foundations of Statistics Lab1
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication3
Core II Physical/Natural Science4
Core II Humanities3
GEO 100 Bison image Intro to Human Geography (CT) (Core II Social Science)3
STA 150 Bison image Foundations of Statistics3
STA 150L Bison image Foundations of Statistics Lab1
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive (300/400)3
GEO 100 Bison image Intro to Human Geography (CT) (Multicultural or International)3
GEO 499 Bison image Senior Capstone II (Writing Intensive)3
College-Specific
Foreign Language 1013
Foreign Language 1023
Foreign Language 203 or MC, I, or GLC Course3
Foreign Language 204 or MC, I, or GLC Course3
COLA Humanities3
COLA Humanities3
COLA Humanities3
COLA Social Science3
COLA Social Science3
COLA Social Science3
GEO 101 Bison image Physical Geography (CT) (COLA Natural/Physical Science)4
Major-Specific
GEO 100 Bison image Intro to Human Geography (CT)3
GEO 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Physical Geography (CT)4
Any Regional Geography course3
GEO 300Methods in Geography3
GEO 423Cartography & GIS3
GEO 499 Bison image Senior Capstone II2
Human or Regional GEO Elective3
Human or Regional GEO Elective3
Human or Regional GEO Elective3
GEO Elective3
GEO Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective3

Major Information

  • The total number of free electives will depend on the amount of double and triple counting of requirements.
  • See course attributes each semester for courses that meet multiple requirements.
  • Questions about requirements should be directed to the College of Liberal Arts (304-696-2350). Core II and COLA requirements may not be double counted.
  • Forty-eight credit hours (sixteen 3-hour courses) must be at the 300/400 level.
  • Students must earn a C or better in ENG 201 Advanced Composition and all foreign language courses.
  • Minimum of 120 hours to graduate.
  • The B.A. in Geography degree requires a minimum total of 39 hours of geography coursework. Beyond the Geography Core Requirements, students choose a minimum of 9 credit hours from Human or Regional Geography. Remaining electives may be chosen from any GEO courses.

Geography Electives

Human Geography Courses

Regional Geography Courses

  • GEO 206 Geography West Virginia 
  • GEO 305 Geog of USA & Canada
  • GEO 402 Geography of Appalachia
  • GEO 404 Geography of Europe
  • GEO 408 Geog of South & Middle America 
  • other Regional Geography courses offered infrequently
GlScience Courses Physical Geography Courses All Geography Core Requirements and many electives are also offered online on a regular basis, sufficient to meet all Geography degree requirements online. (Some courses required for Areas of Emphasis in GIScience, Meteorology, and Weather Broadcasting are not available online. Students wishing to complete those Areas of Emphasis may be able to transfer courses from other institutions to meet the requirements; see an advisor for more information.)

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Semester Plan

Geography is the systematic study of the spatial aspects of human activity, the natural world, and human-environment interaction. The discipline of Geography occupies a unique position as a bridge between the social sciences (Human Geography), natural sciences (Physical Geography), and STEM fields (GIScience). As a result, the Geography Department offers both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Both degrees offer students broad exposure to the various subfields of Geography and provide specialized career training and preparation. Geography is a rapidly expanding discipline with diverse career opportunities across the environmental sciences, social sciences, and technological fields in both the public and private sectors.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication 3
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
GEO 100 Bison image Intro to Human Geography (CT) (MC/I) 3
STA 225 Bison image  Cap graduation image Introductory Statistics (CT) 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
ENG 201 Bison image  Cap graduation image Advanced Composition 3
GEO 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Physical Geography (CT) (Core II Nat/Phys Science) 4
Writing Intensive 3
Core II Humanities 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Year
First Semester
Foreign Language 101 3
COLA Humanities 3
Regional Geography 3
COLA Humanities 3
COLA Social Science 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
GEO 300 Methods in Geography 3
Foreign Language 102 3
COLA Physical/Natural Science 4
COLA Humanities 3
COLA Social Science 3
 Credit Hours16
Third Year
First Semester
GEO 423 Cartography & GIS 3
Foreign Language 203 or MC, I or GLC Course 3
Human or Regional GEO Elective 3
COLA Social Science 3
COLA 300/400 Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
Human or Regional GEO Elective 3
Foreign Language 204 or MC, I or GLC Course 3
300/400 Writing Intensive 3
COLA 300/400 Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
GEO 498 Bison image Senior Capstone 2
Human or Regional GEO Elective 3
GEO Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
GEO 499 Bison image Senior Capstone II 2
GEO Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 2
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours120