About

Geography is the science of place and space – the earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another and how people interact with the environment. This is a discipline that bridges the social sciences and natural sciences and that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites as a growing career field.

The Geography (BA) degree provides you with a broad understanding of geography in a strong liberal arts context. You will be required to complete a language requirement and a minor. This degree appeals to students who are already proficient in a language or have study abroad aspirations.

You will be especially marketable in the field of geography when you also complete Appalachian’s undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems  with just four additional courses.  Many students choose to double major by pairing this degree with Community and Regional Planning.

After Graduation

Employment: Students graduate career-ready, and most go straight into the demanding job market. Employers include Disney, Lowe’s Hardware, and local and state governments throughout North Carolina.

Graduate Schools: Students who wish to pursue a graduate education may stay at Appalachian for an extra year and receive a Master of Arts in Geography.

Career Exploration website

People

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Derek J. Martin

  Dr. Derek J. Martin has been working with a team of students on a monitoring project on the Watauga River. In this video, he and the students talk about the research and how they have adapted their fieldwork during COVID-19.

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Mark Spond

  “The parkway is certainly much more than just a road. It’s an historical story, an ecological story. …This job will allow me to help place some of our best students in internship positions at the Blue Ridge Parkway and throughout the National Park Service system.”

  – Dr. Mark Spond, Appalachian’s liaison to the Blue Ridge Parkway

  Meet more faculty

Related Programs

• Community and Regional Planning (BS)
• Geography (BS) - Geographic Information Systems
• Geography (BS) - General Geography

Minors

A minor is required. Popular minors include:

• GIS Certificate
• Planning
• History
• A foreign language
• Geology
• Biology

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• The Student Planners Association (SPA) and Appalachian Geographical Society are student-run, university-recognized organizations consisting of major and non-major members who are interested in fellowship, outings, fun and learning more about planning and geography.
• Gamma Theta Upsilon Honor Society is an international honorary academic society for geographers founded in 1928. To join, you must be enrolled in any of the geography majors and meet one of two GPA requirements.
• North Carolina ArcGIS Users Group is a non-profit organization that creates a forum for the exchange and distribution of knowledge, techniques, and data for people across North Carolina using associated with ESRI and GIS software.
• North Carolina Geographic Alliance - Since 1987, the North Carolina Geographic Alliance has sought to enhance geographic education in North Carolina Schools.  Over the years the NCGA has produced teaching materials, provided professional development, and advocated for geography as an integral part of the curriculum. 

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.  There are currently faculty-led trips to study planning and community development in Ecuador and Peru.  Dr. Baker Perry also takes 15 students to study climate change in the Andean region each summer.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.