Program Details

Geography, BS

Bachelor of Science

George Mason University

The Geography, BS is designed to offer students the opportunity to study the integrated social and environmental processes that continuously shape and reshape the world we live in. This major provides students with broad training across the core subdisciplines of geography (human, physical, and GIScience), emphasizing application and technique-driven coursework, in addition to a rigorous science and mathematics curriculum. Students will find numerous opportunities for employment in both the private and public sectors, as well as in academia. Given their interdisciplinary approach and uniquely spatial perspective, geographers are well suited to address important local, regional, and global challenges in today's world. The Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science fosters a supportive, active learning environment in which students are encouraged to work closely with both faculty and peers. The curriculum in this major provides students with the analytical, technical, and practical training that prepares them to be successful in an ever-evolving job market. For students who wish to pursue their interest in geography via a more flexible degree program, the department also offers a Geography, BA.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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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 https://catalog.gmu.edu/colleges-schools/science/geography-geoinformation-science/geography-bs/#requirementstext
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 George Mason University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights

Program Credit Requirements

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

The table below lists admissions agreements between George Mason 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
Richard Bland College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Blue Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Central Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Danville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Mountain Gateway Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Eastern Shore Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Germanna Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Brightpoint Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Laurel Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Mountain Empire Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
New River Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Northern Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Paul D. Camp Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Patrick & Henry Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Piedmont Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Rappahannock Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Southside Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Southwest Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Tidewater Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Virginia Peninsula Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Virginia Highlands Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Virginia Western Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Wytheville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement

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?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	Transfer associate degree completion is recommended. RBC and VCCS students completing A.A., A.A.& S., A.F.A, or A.S. degrees receive a lower-level Mason Core waiver.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	Students who earn an associate degree through high school dual enrollment should still apply as freshmen and are not eligible for GAA. College coursework will be evaluated for transferable course credit.
Credit for Prior Learning	https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/transfer-credit-policy
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: George Mason University

College Level Information

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	George Mason University welcomes 4,500 new transfers each year. Our students enroll from all over the Commonwealth, all 50 states, and more than 130 countries. Transfer students are encouraged, but not required to join our residential campus community of 6,300 students. Mason transfers thrive in any number of the 470+ academic, cultural, or social student organizations.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Determined by first semester of enrollment
First Year Student Catalog Year	Determined by first semester of enrollment
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://go.gmu.edu/GAA

Where Can This Degree Transfer

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
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate in Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Art	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	General Studies, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science Degree Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
James Madison University	Bachelor of Science, Major in Geography	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person
James Madison University	Bachelor of Arts, Major in Geography	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Richard Bland College	Associate of Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	Online, In-Person
Old Dominion University	Geography-BA	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person, Online
Old Dominion University	Geography-BS	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science	4-Year	In-Person, Online
University of Mary Washington	BA in Geography	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Applied History Social Sciences (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Geography (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	History (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
11-9199.11	Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers	Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.	Management Occupations
11-9199.02	Compliance Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.	Management Occupations
19-3092.00	Geographers	Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1064.00	Geography Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9199.08	Loss Prevention Managers	Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.00	Managers, All Other	All managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
11-9199.01	Regulatory Affairs Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.	Management Occupations
17-3031.00	Surveying and Mapping Technicians	Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.	Architecture and Engineering Occupations
11-9199.10	Wind Energy Development Managers	Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.	Management Occupations
11-9199.09	Wind Energy Operations Managers	Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.	Management Occupations

Cost To Complete

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

Residence State

Delivery Mode

Service Member?

Service Status *

Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

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 George Mason 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	$5,196	Per Semester	$41,568	$0	$41,568	Flat rate semester tuition for full time status of 12 - 15 credit hours. For less than 12 credit hours, tuition is $433.00 per credit hour. Credit hours over 15 are also charged the same per-credit tuition.
Fees
Mandatory Student Fee	$1,914	Per Semester	$15,312	0	$15,312	Flat rate semester mandatory student fee for full time status of 12 - 15 credit hours. For less than 12 credit hours, mandatory student fee is $159.50 per credit hour. Credit hours over 15 are also charged the same per-credit fee.

*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:

Additional Fees
- New student fee is $275 for transfer students or $350 for freshman.
  Additional course fees vary. For more information about course and program fees, visit: https://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/tuition-fees.
  Housing, dining, and parking fees may also apply. For more detailed cost information, visit:
  George Mason Cost of Attendance

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.