Program Details
BA in Geography in Geography
Bachelor of Arts in GeographyVirginia 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 Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Geography is so much more than just the study of maps; geography majors study the world we live in from a spatial perspective, exploring why things are where they are. As a geography major, you’ll also get to use cutting-edge geospatial and satellite imaging technology to help solve problems relating to natural disasters, the spread of disease, urban sprawl, climate change, transportation issues, the global economy, and many others. This major also bridges the gap between the physical and social sciences through the study of humanâ€environment interactions. In other words, the study of geography is the study of how people affect the planet and how the planet affects its people. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Create a schedule for all required courses and pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered.
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Virginia Tech graduation requirements are set based on a student’s entry term to Virginia Tech. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | https://cnre.vt.edu/academics/degrees-majors/geography.html |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Housed within the College of Natural Resources and Environment, which has been consistently ranked among the Top Natural Resources & Conservation programs nationally for over 50 years, including repeat #1 rankings. Geography longevity: The Department of Geography has over 50 years of academic impact and is regionally highly ranked for its GIS offerings. Strong connections with federal agencies leads to high job placement. |
Program Credit Requirements

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.
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.
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 transferrable 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:Â https://www.registrar.vt.edu/Transferable-Credit.html |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

| 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

| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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, 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, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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: 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts: Art History Major, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences (Social Work Major) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | 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, Hybrid |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Science in Psychology | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Education Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Anthropology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Anthropology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Community Health, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Health Administration, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| George Mason University | Social Work, BSW | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Anthropology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Economics, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Human Development and Family Science, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid, Online |
| George Mason University | History, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Integrative Studies, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Psychology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Sociology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Criminology, Law and Society, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Economics, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Integrative Studies, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Psychology, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| George Mason University | Government and International Politics, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Public Administration, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Geology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | International Security and Law, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Hybrid, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Sociology-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Sociology-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Radford University | BA in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: History Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: Political Science Major, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Psychology Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-4061.00 | Social Science Research Assistants | Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1069.00 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-3099.00 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | All social scientists and related workers not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-3099.01 | Transportation Planners | Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
Cost To Complete

