Study the connections between people, places, and the world around them. UNC Greensboro’s Bachelor of Arts in Geography offers a flexible, interdisciplinary approach to understanding human and environmental systems at local, regional, and global scales. You’ll explore topics such as cities, sustainability, culture, economic development, climate, and globalization while developing skills in research, spatial thinking, and problem solving.
Designed for students who want to combine geographic knowledge with interests in the social sciences, public policy, business, education, environmental studies, or other fields, the Geography B.A. encourages intellectual exploration and academic flexibility. You can pursue a concentration in Earth Science, Geographic Information Science (GIS), or Urban Planning, or follow a general geography pathway that allows you to customize your degree around your goals.
Graduates are prepared to analyze complex challenges, understand diverse communities, and make informed decisions about the future of our cities, environments, and society.
B.A. OR B.S. — WHICH Geography DEGREE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Both the Geography B.S. and Geography B.A. offer flexible pathways that you can tailor to your interests and career goals.
- The B.S. emphasizes depth over breadth. It is the best fit for students who want a more science‑focused experience, emphasizing technical skills, hands‑on learning, and deeper study through concentrations in Earth Science, Geographic Information Science, or Urban Planning.
- The B.A. emphasizes breadth over depth. It provides a broader, interdisciplinary approach with the same concentration options. It also provides a general geography track for students who want maximum flexibility, plan to pair geography with another major, or are exploring a wide range of career directions.
Bachelor of Art in Geography PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS
- Customize your geography degree. The B.A. offers exceptional flexibility, allowing you to pursue a concentration in Earth Science, Geographic Information Science (GIS), or Urban Planning, or follow a general geography track tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Explore geography through multiple disciplines. Connect geographic thinking with environmental studies, political science, economics, sociology, business, public policy, and international studies to better understand complex global challenges.
- Develop career-ready skills using professional tools. Build expertise in spatial thinking, research, communication, and data interpretation while gaining experience with GPS equipment, GIS software, and specialized facilities such as the Carolina Tree-Ring Science Laboratory and Regolith Analysis Laboratory.
- Study at a nationally recognized sustainability leader. UNC Greensboro is ranked among the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges (Princeton Review’s Green Colleges List, 2026).
“Greensboro was supposed to be a four-year stopover — I was going to get my undergraduate degree here and try to go somewhere exotic or cool for my graduate program. But there was something about my experience at UNCG and working downtown. I feel plugged into Greensboro enough that I want to stay for the foreseeable future. I didn’t grow up here, but I’m invested.”
–Koen Roberson ’25, on using his geography and economics majors to work for the City of Greensboro
THE B.A. in Geography STUDENT EXPERIENCE
- Create a degree that reflects your interests. The flexibility of the B.A. allows you to explore electives across disciplines, pursue additional majors or minors, and shape your studies around your academic and professional goals.
- Expand your perspective through field experiences and study abroad. Geography students have opportunities to explore landscapes and communities firsthand through domestic and international travel experiences, including departmental field courses. For example, the two-week summer field school has taken students to the Canadian Rockies, the Central Rocky Mountains, the desert Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest.
- Connect with professionals and alumni. The student-led Geography Club brings planners, GIS professionals, environmental specialists, and community leaders to campus, helping students explore careers and build professional networks.
- Join a community of high-achieving geographers. Students can compete on UNCG’s award-winning Geography Bowl Team and earn membership in Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international honor society for geography.
B.A. In Geography COURSES
The B.A. in Geography offers both a general geography course of study and distinct concentrations: Earth Science, Geographic Information Science, or Urban Planning, that students can explore. Course offerings include:
Geography, B.A. — After Graduation
A B.A. in Geography from UNC Greensboro helps you understand how people, places, and environments shape our world. You’ll gain adaptable skills that can be applied across many industries and career paths. Graduates work in business, government, urban and regional planning, environmental organizations, education, and nonprofit leadership.
Geography also provides a strong foundation for graduate study and professional training. Alumni pursue advanced degrees in planning, sustainability, business, public policy, law, and related fields. Many continue at UNC Greensboro through the online Master’s in Sustainability and Environment or the Post‑Baccalaureate Certificate in Sustainability. These programs build the knowledge and leadership skills needed to create positive change in communities and organizations.
Potential Career Paths
- Cartographer
- Emergency Management Planner
- Environmental Planner
- Remote Sensing Analyst
- GIS Analyst
- Transportation Manager
- Urban/City Planner
- Teacher
get more information about the B.A. in Geography
Program Details
Degree Type: Bachelor's
College/School: College of Arts and Sciences
Program Type: Majors & Concentrations
Class Type: In Person
Catalog Name: Geography, B.A.
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Contact Us
Dr. G. Jay Lennartson
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability Studies
gjlennar@uncg.edu