Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Geography

Far beyond identifying places on maps, geography asks questions about how climate change creates new trade routes and conflicts, how people migrate and create urban change, and how the internet brings people closer together. Using the latest methods in geographic analysis and communication, George Washington University geography and students environment learn the theoretical and applied aspects of contemporary and historical geography. With a flexible, interdisciplinary academic program, students can hone their coursework to their own interests and pursue fieldwork around the globe. Our faculty members are committed to excellence in teaching in both the field—by having our students take advantage of internships, which includes a special program with the National Geographic Society—and the classroom. Students are prepared for a wide variety of professions such as environmental manager, forestry technician, GIS specialist, cartographer, urban planner, health services planner, and more.

Visit the program website for additional information.

For information about the admission process, including deadlines, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications can be submitted via the Common Application.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st St NW Suite 100
Washington, DC 20052

For questions visit undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/contact-us.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

For the major, 37 credits, including 16 credits in required courses, 18 credits in courses taken from among three subject groups, and one 3-credit elective course.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
GEOG 1001	Introduction to Human Geography
GEOG 1002	Introduction to Physical Geography
GEOG 2104	Introduction to Cartography and GIS
GEOG 3106	Intermediate Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 4195	Proseminar in Geographic Thought *
Group A: Physical Geography
At least two courses from the following, one of which must be taken at the 3000 level.
GEOG 2129	Biogeography
GEOG 2134	Energy Resources
GEOG 2136	Water Resources
GEOG 2137	Environmental Hazards
GEOG 3108	Weather and Climate
GEOG 3128	Geomorphology and Natural Hazards
GEOG 3194	Special Topics in Physical Geography
Group B: Human Geography
At least two courses from the following, one of which must be taken at the 3000 level.
GEOG 2124	Urban Transportation
GEOG 2125	Transportation Systems and Networks
GEOG 2127	Population Geography
GEOG 2133	People, Land, and Food
GEOG 2140	Cities and Societies
GEOG 2141	Cities in the Developing World
GEOG 2144	Explorations in Historical Geography
GEOG 2147	Military Geography
GEOG 2148	Economic Geography
GEOG 3145	Cultural Geography
GEOG 3146	Political Geography
GEOG 3195	Special Topics in Human Geography
GEOG 3810	Planning Cities
Group C: Techniques **
GEOG 2196	Field Methods in Geography
GEOG 3105	Techniques of Spatial Analysis
GEOG 3107	Introduction to Remote Sensing
GEOG 3196	Special Topics in Techniques
GEOG 4307	Digital Image Processing and Analysis
GEOG 4308	Programming for Geospatial Applications I
GEOG 4309	GIS for Emergency Management
GEOG 4310	Geovisualization and Cartography
GEOG 4311	Open Source Solutions for Geospatial Project Management
Group D: Nature and Society
At least two courses from the following, one of which must be taken at the 3000 level.
GEOG 1003	Society and Environment
GEOG 2120	World Regional Geography
GEOG 3132	Environmental Quality and Management
GEOG 3133	Social-Ecological Systems
GEOG 3143	Urban Sustainability
GEOG 3154	Geography of the Middle East and North Africa
GEOG 3161	Geography of Latin America
GEOG 3164	The Geography of Africa
GEOG 3165	Geography of South Asia
GEOG 3193	Environmental Law and Policy
GEOG 3197	Special Topics in Regional Geography
GEOG 3218	Arctic Systems
Elective
Any one course selected from Group A, B, C, or D.

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*

Offered in the fall semester only.

**

All students take two techniques courses, GEOG 2104 and GEOG 3106, as part of the required major curriculum. Their elective course selection may be an additional techniques course or a course from one of the other three groups.

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC) as well as the course CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

• One course in critical thinking in the humanities.

• Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.

• One course that has an approved oral communication component.

• One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics).
• One course in scientific reasoning (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
• UW 1020 University Writing (4 credits).
• After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number. 

Coursework for the CCAS G-PAC requirement is distributed as follows:

• Arts—one approved arts course that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
• Global or cross-cultural perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
• Local or civic engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
• Natural or physical science—one additional approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• Humanities—one additional approved humanities course that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience

Certain courses are approved to fulfill GPAC requirements in more than one category.

Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC requirements may also be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.

Lists of approved courses in the above categories are included on each undergraduate major's page in this Bulletin.

In addition to the general requirements stated under University Regulations, in order to be considered for graduation with Special Honors, students must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.75 in geography courses and a 3.5 average overall.