Program Details

BA in Geography

Bachelor of Arts in Geography

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The College of Natural Resources and Environment provides an integrated education in renewable natural resource management, conservation, and utilization, as well as a valuable perspective for understanding and solving critical contemporary environmental problems at local, regional, and global scales. All undergraduate programs are designed to provide a professional education and experiential learning that starts with core courses emphasizing physical, biological, and social sciences, along with concepts of renewable natural resource management and sustainability. Students prepare for professional careers with public agencies responsible for predicting the weather and managing forests, water resources, fish and wildlife populations, and recreational resources; with private firms concerned with producing, manufacturing, and marketing packaging and wood products; with planning agencies and private firms that conduct environmental, geospatial. and land-use analyses; or for graduate studies.

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
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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	Be sure to connect with your assigned Virginia Tech academic advisor during the virtual registration and advising process prior to your first term of enrollment. Details will be emailed to your Virginia Tech account.
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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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 between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Central Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Danville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Mountain Gateway Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Eastern Shore Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Germanna Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Brightpoint Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Laurel Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Mountain Empire Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
New River Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Northern Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Paul D. Camp Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Patrick & Henry Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Piedmont Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Rappahannock Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Southside Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Southwest Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Tidewater Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Virginia Peninsula Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Virginia Highlands Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Virginia Western Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech and Virginia Community College System
Wytheville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement between Virginia Tech 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?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	Completion of a transfer-oriented associate degree will satisfy general education requirements of an undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major. You enter as a junior with general education requirements met.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	You enter as a junior with general education requirements met.
Credit for Prior Learning	Prior learning score requirements: https://www.registrar.vt.edu/Transferable-Credit.html
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: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

1116

Percent of Accepted Transfer Students

52.3% of transfer applicants were offered admission with a 3.52 average GPA

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	As a student, you will spend only a portion of your time in the classroom but all your time at Virginia Tech will be spent in an environment that promotes learning and growing. You will find a dynamic residential campus and award-winning dining in an environment committed to well-being. From our health and wellness programs to our hundreds of student organizations and clubs, there is something for every interest at Virginia Tech.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Catalog year determined by date of entry to Virginia Tech
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog year determined by date of entry to Virginia Tech
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	Students must apply as a transfer student having completed or with the intention of completing the Associate degree from a VCCS campus prior to enrollment

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
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
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
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	Education: K-12 Special Education Adapted and General Curriculum Major, A.S.	Associate	Associate of 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 Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science: Science (Chemistry Major)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science: Science (Chemistry Major)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree	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
George Mason University	Geography, BA	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person, Online
George Mason 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
University of Mary Washington	BA in Geography: Geo. Analysis	Bachelor	Bachelor of Arts	4-Year	In-Person
Emory & Henry University	Social Science- History Track	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
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts: Art History Major, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Science - Social Sciences (Social Work Major)	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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	$6,770	Per Semester	$54,160	$0	$54,160	Per semester tuition full-time undergraduate 12 or more hours
Fees
Student Room Fee	$3,319	Per Semester	$26,552	0	$26,552	Per semester multiple occupancy, non-airconditioned room
Meal Plan	$3,368	Per Semester	$26,944	0	$26,944	Per semester premium flex plan
Residential Telecommunications Fee	$197	Per Semester	$1,576	0	$1,576	Per semester

*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
- Living Learning Program Fee: $50 per semester
- Student Resident Parking Fee: $570 per academic year
- Student Commuter Parking Fee: $405 per academic year
- Admission Application Fee: $60 but waiver may be available
- Enrollment Deposit Fee: $400 but reduction or waiver may be available
- Student Activity Fee: $260 per semester full time undergraduate 12 or more hours
- Health Service Fee: $335 per semester full time undergraduate 12 or more hours
- Athletic Fee: $366 per semester full time undergraduate 12 or more hours
- Recreational Sports Fee: $206.50 per semester full time undergraduate 12 or more hours
- Student Services Fee: $267.50 per semester full time undergraduate 12 or more hours
Special Purpose Fees
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Supplemental Fee for Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and all Biochemistry Majors: $375 per semester 7 or more hours
- Architecture and Design Supplemental Fee for Students in Architecture, Industrial Design, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture: $750 per semester 7 or more hours
- Engineering Supplemental Fee for Undergraduate Students in the College of Engineering: $1000 per semester 7 or more hours
- Pamplin College of Business Supplemental Fee: $1275 per semester 7 or more hours
- Immigration Services Fee: $275 per semester degree seeking students with F1 or J1 visa status
- Corps of Cadets Fee: $240 per semester
- Laboratory Fee: varies by lab course
- Study Abroad Faculty-Lead Program Fee: $20
Miscellaneous
- Late Payment Fee: 10% of the past due balance not to exceed $125 per term
- Returned payment fee: $50

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.