Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

BA in Geology

Bachelor of Arts
Radford University

The Geology Department offers training for students interested in the Earth - its processes, materials, history, environment, and human interactions.  The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who wish to gain a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the earth sciences but wish to pursue a “hybrid” career that includes diverse fields such as science writing, business, marketing, and media. The Bachelor of Arts reflects the modern changes in the geology workforce that emphasize multiple skills in customer relations, communication, finance, GIS, international culture and language.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

This program has a foreign language requirement. In addition to taking a core set of geology courses, students must choose a non-geology minor that reflects their career path. Advising will be coordinated between the student, the Geology Department, and an advisor in the minor. To graduate with a major in geology, students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 in all courses in geology and in the required courses in chemistry, geospatial science, mathematics, statistics, and unmanned aerial systems.

Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Radford University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between Radford University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Blue Ridge Community College and Radford University
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Rappahannock Community College and Radford University
Richard Bland College GAA Statement on Transfer from Richard Bland College
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) Danville Community College and Radford University
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community Collge System and Radford University
Blue Ridge Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Central Virginia Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Danville Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Mountain Gateway Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Eastern Shore Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Germanna Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Brightpoint Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Laurel Ridge Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Mountain Empire Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
New River Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Northern Virginia Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Paul D. Camp Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Patrick & Henry Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Piedmont Virginia Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Rappahannock Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Southside Virginia Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Southwest Virginia Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Tidewater Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Virginia Peninsula Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Virginia Highlands Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Virginia Western Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System
Wytheville Community College GPAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement Radford University and Virginia Community College System

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of the transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of the University Core general education component of the RU undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequesisites needed for the major.

You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map.
Credit for Prior Learning We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Enter your test into the portal to see if your scores will earn credit. If you have industry or military experience, please use College Connect to reach out to us to discuss these prior learning experiences.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Radford University
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
1800
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
65%
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Radford University is a medium-sized residential college campus of just over 7,500 students. Located the city of Radford in southwest Virginia, we offer 76 academic majors in six academic colleges. Incoming freshmen are required to live on campus their first two years; incoming transfer students do not have an on-campus requirement but are able to live on campus should they so choose. Opportunities to get involved on campus are numerous and include more than 200 student organizations, Division I athletic teams, and plenty of outdoor adventure trip planned by the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science AssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeScience, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in Earth ScienceBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in GeologyBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Physical ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Earth and Environmental SciencesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Online Program)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityGeology, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityGeology, BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryGeology (Environmental) - Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1051.00Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9121.01Clinical Research CoordinatorsPlan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.Management Occupations
19-4043.00Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansAssist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-2042.00Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersStudy the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-2043.00HydrologistsResearch the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9121.00Natural Sciences ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.Management Occupations
11-9121.02Water Resource SpecialistsDesign or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Radford University
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $6,274 Per Semester $50,192 $0 $50,192 Per semester tuition for a full time status of 12-16 credit hours
Fees
Technology $60 Per Semester $480 0 $480
Comprehensive $1,950 Per Semester $15,600 0 $15,600
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Part-time students
    • Students taking fewer than 12 credits will pay $354 (in-state) or $881 (out of state) + $168/fees(Instate) and $187.00 (out of state) per credit hour. For more information, visit https://www.radford.edu/bursar/tuition-fees/index.html.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.