BA in Geography with Emphasis in General Geography
Degree Program Description
Geographers are interested in a wide range of topics and often work in interdisciplinary teams that analyze challenges like environmental change, resource use, and economic issues in an increasingly interdependent world. Students who select the general geography track plan their own upper-division coursework in order to receive a very broadly-structured education, typically selecting courses from all three of the GIS, physical geography, and human geography emphasis areas. Geography prepares students for a variety of professions including careers in environmental impact assessment, mapping, remote sensing, geographic information analysis, government service, military intelligence, as well as education. Geographers are interested in a wide range of topics and often work in interdisciplinary teams that analyze challenges like environmental change, resource use, and economic issues in an increasingly interdependent world. Geography majors receive marketable skills during their undergraduate experience. Recent graduates work for companies such as ESRI and Garmin. MU geography graduates have also found employment with government agencies, including the National Park Service, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Missouri Department of Transportation.
Major Program Requirements
This area is designed for students with a broad interest in geographical studies. Due to the general nature of this emphasis area, students must develop in consultation with their advisor a personal plan of study outlining specific goals and course requirements. Five geography courses are required, four of those at the 3000-level or higher.
In addition, students must complete all College of Arts and Science and University graduation requirements, including University general education.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGLSH 1000* | 3 | MATH 1100* | 3 |
| GEOL 1100* | 4 | GEOG 2610 | 3 |
| GEOG 1100 | 3 | Second language II^* | 4-6 |
| Second language I^ * | 4-6 | Elective/minor course | 3 |
| 14-16 | 13-15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GEOG 1800 | 3 | GEOG 1550 | 3 |
| Second language III* | 3-4 | GEOG 3840 or 3040 | 3 |
| Social Science Course (MO State Law)* | 3 | Behavioral Science Course* | 3 |
| Elective/Minor Course | 3 | Behavioral Science Course* | 3 |
| 3000+ level Geog emphasis course | 3 | Writing Intensive Course* | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Biological/Physical Science Course^* | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Course* | 3 |
| Social Science Course (2000+) | 3 | 3000+ level Geog emphasis course | 3 |
| 3000+ level Geog emphasis course | 3 | Social Science Course (2000+)* | 3 |
| 3000+ level Geog emphasis course | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Course (2000+)* | 3 |
| Social Science Course* | 3 | Biological/Physical Science Course with Lab | 3-5 |
| Elective/Minor Course (3000+) | |||
| 15 | 15-17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| STAT 1200 or 1300 | 3 | GEOG 4990 | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Course* | 3 | 3000+ level Geog emphasis course^ | 3 |
| 3000+ level Geog emphasis course | 3 | Elective/Minor Course | 3 |
| Elective/Minor Course (3000+) | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Course (2000+)* | 3 |
| Elective/Minor Course | 3 | Elective/Minor Course (3000+) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 117-124 | |||
Requires 120 credits for graduation.
- *
Denotes General Education and A&S Foundation Requirements
- ^
Denotes Degree Program Requirements
- ~
Denotes Emphasis Area Requirements
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.