Program Overview

Geographic, Environmental and Urban Studies Program

The BA in Geographic, Environmental, and Urban Studies provides a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of how people interact with natural and built environments. This program explores geography, environmental systems, and urban development through courses in human geography, environmental policy, sustainability, and spatial analysis.

Program Overview

Students develop analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex issues such as urban planning, environmental justice, resource management, and sustainable development. Hands-on learning opportunities include Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training, research projects, and field-based experiences that prepare students for careers in public service, nonprofit organizations, or private industry.

Program Format and College

• The program format is in-person.
• The college or school offering this program is the College of Science and Mathematics.

Area of Study and Concentrations

• The area of study is Health, Medicine and the Sciences.
• Concentrations offered include:
  • Regional and Urban Systems
  • Economics, Environment and Society
  • Geographic Science and Environmental Systems
  • Geoinformatics

Cost Information

• In-state tuition is $7,839 per semester.
• For more detailed cost information, refer to the Undergraduate Cost of Attendance.

Flexible Path and Tracks

The program offers a flexible path with four tracks to customize studies in regional planning, environmental policy, earth systems, or geoinformatics. Each track includes focused coursework and electives that build expertise for careers in urban planning, environmental management, or spatial analysis.

Tracks

• Regional and Urban Systems: Focus on the social, political, and economic forces shaping cities and regions. This track includes courses in urban anthropology, transportation, geopolitics, and urban planning, with field-based learning and GIS applications.
• Economics, Environment and Society: Explore the relationships between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social policy. Courses cover sustainability science, environmental law, world resources, and energy economics.
• Geographic Science and Environmental Systems: Examine earth systems through physical geography, climate science, hydrology, and geochemistry. This concentration is ideal for students pursuing environmental analysis or research careers.
• Geoinformatics: Develop technical expertise in GIS, remote sensing, data science, and spatial modeling. Courses include Python programming, database systems, and big data management, combined with environmental applications.

Combined BA/MBA Pathway

The program also offers a combined BA/MBA pathway, allowing students to accelerate their graduate education and prepare for leadership roles in policy and environmental management.

Accelerated Five-Year Program

The accelerated five-year program lets students earn both a bachelors degree in Geographic, Environmental, and Urban Studies and a General MBA. During the senior year, students take 6 credits of MBA swing courses that count toward both degrees, saving time and tuition. In the fifth year, students complete the remaining MBA courses full-time and graduate with both degrees.