Major code BS4242

College of Arts and Sciences  
Geography Department  
N378 Lindley Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1140
www.ohio.edu/cas/geography

Edna Wangui, Chair
wangui@ohio.edu
Yeong Kim, contact person
kimy1@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Geography bridges the natural and social sciences. Geographers focus on spatial patterns to study physical and cultural environments and how people interact with those environments. Geography is important to humanity because most of the world’s problems require deep understanding of the interdependence between human activities and the natural world. Geographic theories and methods provide students with fundamental analytical skills relevant to any occupation focused on solving social and enviromental problems. Reflecting the diversity and breadth of geography, the department of Geography offers nine majors to help students specialize in a subfield of their choice.

The Geography - Urban Planning and Sustainability major provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to envision and craft urban environments that embrace the three key components of sustainability - environment, economy, and equity. Students completing this comprehensive, forward-looking program will develop sophisticated understandings of cities and their role in the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century. The curriculum emphasizes urban, sustainability, and planning theories and processes, in addition to providing a strong foundation in geography and its major analytical techniques. 

The Geography Department at Ohio University is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several of our faculty members have received teaching awards. We are known across campus for the highest quality of student advising. As a geography major, you will meet one-on-one with your faculty advisor every semester during advising week, and you are always welcome to talk with your advisor at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising our students about their academic programs, we provide timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many of our students complete internships and several of our students have received nationally competitive awards.

For more information about our program, please view this video, visit our website, or reach out to the faculty contact person, whose information is listed above. 

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Students who pursue a degree in Geography – Urban Planning and Sustainability are well-suited for a variety of career opportunities, from city planner to corporate sustainability officer. While it is common for urban planners to hold positions within the local, state, and federal governments, additional employment opportunities are available with urban and environmental planning firms; real estate development companies; community-based non-profit organizations; local, state, and national parks; architecture firms; zoning administration; historical preservation agencies; institutions of higher education; etc.  Many urban planning positions require a graduate degree. Consequently, the urban planning and sustainability major also positions its graduates well for graduate level study in Planning, Environment Studies, Public Policy, and Geography  programs.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements