Geography BA
- Major
- BA
- In-Person
- Greeley
- Community Development
- Field Studies
- Geographic Information Science
- Regional Studies
4 Years
Program Overview
The Geography BA at UNC is where natural and social sciences meet. As a geography major, you’ll explore how environmental, cultural, political and economic processes shape the Earth’s surface at local, regional and global scales. You’ll learn to think across the natural and social sciences, using maps, GIS and remote sensing to analyze how people and places and the landscapes they share change over time.
What you’ll do as a Geography major:
- Learn to interpret complex relationships between humans and their environments
- Build skills in mapping, spatial analysis and geographic information systems (GIS)
- Study real-world issues like urban development, climate change and migration
- Apply your knowledge through research, fieldwork, community projects or internships
Whether you’re drawn to urban planning, environmental consulting or global development, geography gives you the tools to dig into real-world challenges.
To earn your Geography BA at UNC, you’ll complete 46-49 credits of major coursework (depending on concentration), plus Liberal Arts Curriculum and university-wide electives for a total of 120 credits. All Geography majors share a foundation in spatial thinking, mapping, and global systems, then specialize through your chosen concentration:
- Community Development Concentration: 46 credits focused on urban planning, economic geography and sustainable development
Degree Requirements – Community Development Concentration
- Field Studies Concentration: 46 credits emphasizing hands-on fieldwork, research methods and environmental analysis
Degree Requirements – Field Studies Concentration
- Geographic Information Science Concentration: 49 credits centered on GIS technology, spatial analysis, cartography, and geospatial programming
Degree Requirements – Geographic Information Science Concentration
- Regional Studies Concentration: 46 credits exploring global regions, cultural geography, and international systems
- Geography
Explore how people interact with places, environments and communities across the globe. This 18-credit minor gives you a broad look at the world through a geographic lens to connect culture, politics, economics and the environment. You’ll sharpen your ability to think spatially, understand global systems and apply that knowledge to issues like sustainability, urban development and climate change.
Geographic Information Science (GIS)
Learn to map, model and analyze data that’s tied to location. The 18-credit GIS minor gives you hands-on experience with digital tools that help make sense of patterns in the world from urban growth to wildfire risk. Whether you’re interested in tech, environmental work or community planning, GIS skills are in demand across industries.
This plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor’s degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.
- Geography BA – Community Development Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Community Development Concentration
- Geography BA – Field Studies Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Field Studies Concentration
- Geography BA – Geographic Information Science Concentration
Four-Year Plan – Geographic Information Science Concentration
- Geography BA – Regional Studies Concentration
Concentrations
Customize your Geography degree by choosing one concentration that matches your interests and career goals.
- Geography BA – Community Development Concentration
Want to shape the future of cities and communities? This concentration prepares you to help communities decide how land should be used, from designing parks to planning transit systems to revitalizing downtown districts.
Study urban and regional planning, economic geography, sustainable development, and GIS applications for city planning. You’ll learn how even small planning decisions have major impacts on communities, requiring both technical expertise and collaborative skills. Complete 46 credits including specialized courses in cartography, urban GIS and population geography.
You’ll learn to:
- Analyze how communities use land and resources for sustainable growth
- Apply GIS technology to solve real planning challenges
- Understand economic patterns that drive urban and regional development
- Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders in planning processes
Career paths: Urban planning, public administration, environmental consulting, real estate development
- Geography BA – Field Studies Concentration
Ready to get your hands dirty solving real-world problems? This concentration transforms classroom knowledge into tangible field experience through hands-on research, community partnerships, and field-based learning.
Complete 46 credits emphasizing fieldwork methods, research techniques and practical applications. You’ll spend significant time outside the classroom, from archaeological digs to river studies to international field experiences.
You’ll learn to:
- Conduct field research using drones, GPS, and remote sensing technology
- Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data from field observations
- Partner with communities to address environmental and social issues
- Apply geographic methods to solve real problems for real clients
Career paths: Environmental research, natural resource management, field archaeology, conservation
- Geography BA – GIS Concentration
Master the technology that powers everything from Google Maps to emergency response systems. GIS is one of geography’s fastest-growing fields, with applications in virtually every industry.
Complete 49 credits focused on GIS software, spatial analysis, cartography, remote sensing and geospatial programming. You’ll analyze everything from traffic patterns to environmental hazards, learning to transform complex spatial data into clear, actionable maps and insights that drive decision-making.
You’ll learn to:
- Create professional maps and spatial visualizations using industry-standard software
- Analyze population, traffic, real estate and environmental data
- Program custom GIS applications and web-based mapping tools
- Apply remote sensing and drone technology to collect spatial data
Career paths: GIS analyst, spatial data scientist, cartographer, remote sensing specialist
- Geography BA – Regional Studies Concentration
Fascinated by what makes each place unique? This concentration explores how social, environmental, and locational processes create diversity across Earth’s regions and cultures.
Complete 46 credits examining different world regions – from emerging Asia to Latin America to Colorado itself. You’ll critically analyze regional patterns, understand why people move, how communities change and what drives development in different places. Gain transferable skills for understanding and solving location-based problems anywhere in the world.
You’ll learn to:
- Analyze cultural, economic, and environmental patterns across regions
- Understand migration, globalization, and development processes
- Research and communicate about complex regional issues
- Apply geographic perspectives to international and domestic challenges
Perfect for students interested in international relations, global business, cultural geography or area studies. Graduates work in international development, government agencies, NGOs and global corporations.
Career paths: International development, foreign service, global business, cultural resource management
Ready to Solve Real-World Problems?
INSIDE UNC GEOGRAPHY
Today's employers need problem-solvers who understand both data and people. See how Geography bridges science and society to launch careers that matter.
WATCH & DISCOVER
SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS
"The connection that we have here at UNC, it's unbelievable. You wouldn't get it at any other university. I probably see about three to four teachers per week, just to make sure I'm on track with everything I'm doing."
Emmy Scott
Environmental Studies and Business Management
Why Geography at UNC?
High-Demand Career Field
Every company needs spatial analysis. Every city needs planners. Every agency needs GIS. Geography grads land roles across all sectors because they understand how location impacts everything.
Bridge Science & Society
Geography uniquely combines data analysis with human impact studies. Master GIS technology while understanding community needs. Graduate ready for careers that require both technical skills and social awareness.
Four Ways to Specialize
Choose one of four concentrations to focus your expertise and graduate with the specialized skills and experience for your chosen career path.
Make Real Change on Campus
Student LEAF
Student LEAF (Student Leadership for Environmental Action Fund) is a student-run organization that funds sustainable campus projects. Since 2012, we’ve transformed UNC’s campus through water bottle filling stations, solar installations, and recycling initiatives. LEAF empowers students to create real environmental change.
To get involved, attend our weekly meetings Thursdays 4pm-5pm in Campus Commons 2201
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Geography, GIS & Sustainability
Welcome to the Department of Geography, GIS, and Sustainability (DoGGS)! Explore connections between people and the environment through hands-on projects, fieldwork, and teamwork. Gain real-world skills in a supportive community that values the planet, fairness, and helping each other succeed.
- DOGGS@unco.edu
- (970) 351-2715
- Candeleria Hall, Room 2200