Program Overview
Geography - Bachelor of Arts Degree Map
The Bachelor of Arts in Geography degree map outlines the requirements for completing the degree in four years. To graduate in four years, students need to average 45 credits per year to reach a total of 180 credits, including 62 upper-division credits.
Requirements
- General Education Requirements
- Degree Requirements
- Major Requirements
- University Writing Requirements
- Race and Ethnic Studies Requirements
- Credit Requirements and Limits
Degree Maps and Advising
Degree maps show one possible course plan for earning a degree in four years. Students should talk with their advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for them, especially if they have earned transferable academic credit.
Bulletin or Catalog Year
The Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements students need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit students to follow a different catalog. Typically, the catalog year is the year the student began at PSU, but transfer students may be able to use an earlier catalog.
DARS System
Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report to track their progress through their program. Students should contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general.
Course Plans by Year
First Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Inquiry or Honors | 5 | First Year Inquiry or Honors | 5 | First Year Inquiry or Honors | 5 |
| BA Second Language 101 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 102 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 103 | 3-5 |
| BA Fine & Performing Arts | 3-4 | General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 | ||
| Total Fall Credits | 11-14 | Total Winter Credits | 16-18 | Total Spring Credits | 16-18 |
Second Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Inquiry or Honors | 4 | Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement | 3-4 | Sophomore Inquiry or Honors | 4 |
| BA Second Language 201 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 202 | 3-5 | BA Second Language 203 | 3-5 |
| General Elective | 4 | GEOG 210/L | 4 | GEOG 230 | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective (Or Sophomore Honors) | 4 | General Elective | 4 |
| Total Fall Credits | 15-17 | Total Winter Credits | 14-17 | Total Spring Credits | 15-17 |
Third Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Division Cluster or Honors | 4 | Upper Division Cluster or Honors | 4 | Upper Division Cluster or Honors | 4 |
| GEOG 380 | 4 | Human Geography UD Elective | 4 | Geography UD Elective | 4 |
| Physical Geography UD Elective | 4 | Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement | 3-4 | Human Geography UD Elective | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 | ||
| Total Fall Credits | 16 | Total Winter Credits | 15-16 | Total Spring Credits | 12 |
Fourth Year
| Fall Courses | Fall Credits | Winter Courses | Winter Credits | Spring Courses | Spring Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Geography UD Elective | 4 | GEOG 4XX Geography Elective | 4 | Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis | 6 |
| GEOG 4XX Geography Elective | 4 | GEOG 4XX Geographic Techniques | 4 | GEOG 4XX Techniques Geography Elective | 4 |
| General Elective | 4 | General Elective | 4 | Geography UD Elective | 4 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||||
| Total Fall Credits | 15 | Total Winter Credits | 12 | Total Spring Credits | 14 |
Additional Map Notes
- GEOG 210/L: GEOG 210/L OR G 201&204 or G 202&205.
- GEOG 230: GEOG 230 OR ANTH 103.
- Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States.
- Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
- Geography UD Elective: Up to 12 upper-division ANTH, EES, ESM, G, and SYSC credits.
- GEOG 4XX Geography Elective: Up to 8 can be from ANTH, EES, ESM, G, and SYSC.
- Students may need to add additional general elective credits to their plan to reach 180 total credits.