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See below for a collection of the advising resources available to Geography, GIS and Sustainability Studies students.


The HSS Student Success Resource Center offers assistance connecting you with an advisor or faculty member within your program. They also provide counseling, scheduling assistance, and more. 

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Geography

  • Community Development

    Community Development Emphasis

    One of the traditional applied areas in geography is planning the built environment. Professionals in this field help communities decide how their land should be used because even the smallest plans can have big impacts. Decisions on the land use planning and design such as a new school sites, commercial building development, a new light rail system, power grid, or park are critical to meet the needs of the community. This work requires both specialized planning knowledge and technical skills such as Geographic Information Science (GIS) and geospatial data analytics. Professionals in this field must also be able to work in a highly collaborative environment with stakeholders throughout the community. 

  • Field Studies

    Field Studies Emphasis

    The Field Studies emphasis offers students the chance to connect their theoretical classroom learning to real-world problems in transformative ways. Students in this emphasis will develop important skills (critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis) while forgingcommunity connections. Studentswill engage in hands-on experiences, such as cleaning up garbage in the Mississippi River, canoeing the Colorado River, or visiting the American Borderlands, that promote a deeper understanding of today's issues. 

  • Geographic Information Science

    Geographic Information Science (GIS) Emphasis

    Geographic Information Sciences and Technology (GIS&T) is a rapidly expanding field within geography. It involves the use of computer-based systems to create, manage, display, and analyze various types of data, with a focus on integrating location data and understanding the reasons behind the spatial distribution of objects or phenomena. GIS provides a fundamental framework for mapping and analysis that finds applications in numerous industries and scientific fields. Professionals such as geographers, planners, land developers, real estate agents, market analysts, utility companies, and municipal officials all rely on GIS to gain insights into patterns, relationships, and geographic context. By leveraging GIS, these professionals can enhance communication and decision-making processes. 

  • Regional Studies

    Regional Studies Emphasis

    Regional geography is the study of the social, environmental, and locational processes that create diversity from place to place on the Earth's surface. By adopting a geographic perspective, students learn to understand the importance of local, regional, and global patterns and effectively analyze the impact of location-related factors on human activities. In the Regional Studies emphasis, students will develop the ability to analyze and critically evaluate the relationships between geographic phenomena across multiple regions. They will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to assess regional issues and engage in problem-solving within a regional context. 

  • Geography Minor

    Geography Minor

    A Geography Minor is an excellent complement to those who want to supplement their discipline of choice with an understanding of environmental change, global development and resource use in an increasingly complex and interdependent world.

  • GIS Minor

    Geographic Information Science (GIS) Minor

    A minor in GIS provides a unique combination of spatial analysis skills, technology proficiency, interdisciplinary knowledge, and real-world application that can complement many other disciplines, such as history, biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, anthropology, and criminal justice. It offers a pathway to diverse and in-demand careers while enabling individuals to contribute to solving complex spatial problems and making a positive impact on society.

Environmental & Sustainability Studies

The following forms are to help ENST students plan their coursework and academic paths.

Geography, GIS and Sustainability Certificates


GIS and Cartography

Collect, analyze and present geographic data while honing your skills with GIS software and related tools in this program perfect for professionals considering a career shift or those who want to develop GIS skills in their current positions. 

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Drone Operations and Spatial Analysis

Learn the skills necessary to pilot a drone in this certification course ideal for those interested in working as drone image specialists, data technicians, remote sensing technicians and more. 

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