Geography, Bachelor of Arts

Students who wish more concentrated applications in geography may choose an optional concentration of either Geographic Information Science and Technology or Travel and Tourism. The specific course requirements for these concentrations may also be used to satisfy the major requirements where the overlap of course options occurs.

Geography, Bachelor of Arts Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - 34 Hours Required
Minimum of “C-“required
Fundamental Skills15
Writing – 6 hrs.
ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY
Oral Communication – 3 hrs.
PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS
ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs.
INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY
QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT
Data Literacy – 3 hrs.
Select one from the following:
DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education course.
Breadth of Knowledge13
Social Science – 3 hrs.
Humanities – 3 hrs.
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs.
Arts – 3 hrs.
Individual and Social Responsibility 6
Cultural Knowledge – 3 hrs.
Civic Knowledge and Engagement – 3 hrs.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
**Course will satisfy UNO's General Education requirement
^Course requires pre-requisite(s)
Geography Major - 42-45 Hours Required
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Geography requires 42-45 hours of major coursework, of which 25 hours must be upper-level (3000-4000) Geography courses.
Required Coursework24
WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY (**)
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (**)
OUR DYNAMIC PLANET: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (**)
HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT GEOGRAPHY (** ^)
CARTOGRAPHY AND DATA VISUALIZATION
GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD STUDIES (Can also apply to the upper-level Global or North American category, depending on the field study destination) 1
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS (** ^)
Note: All pre-reqs for GEOG 3530 are a part of this list, with the exception of programming. Students without programming experience will need to take CIST 1300 or receive instructor permission prior to enrollment into GEOG 3530.
1 Geographical Field Studies Requirement
Optional method of completing GEOG 4620: Students who have completed study abroad, or military service for more than six months outside the USA can complete the course without going on the multiple day field trip. Contact the department for the details regarding this alternative method.
Geography diversity requirements
Choose at least one course in Physical Geography 3-4
NEBRASKA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGMENT (^)
METEOROLOGY
and INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY LABORATORY (** ^)
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
GEOARCHAEOLOGY
BIOGEOGRAPHY (^)
WATER QUALITY (^)
PROCESS GEOMORPHOLOGY
CLIMATOLOGY
SOIL GENESIS, MORPHOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION
WATER RESOURCES
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
CRITICAL ZONE SCIENCE
Choose at least two courses in Human Geography 6
HEALTH & MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
NEBRASKA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGMENT (^)
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
URBAN GEOGRAPHY
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY, GENDER AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
ADVANCED CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHIES OF SEXUALITIES (^)
GEOGRAPHY OF THE WORLD ECONOMY
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & REGULATIONS
Choose at least one course in Global Perspectives 3
TRAVEL STUDY IN GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA (^)
GEOGRAPHY IN FILM (^)
GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA (^)
EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA (^)
GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE (^)
GEOGRAPHY OF RUSSIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS (^)
Choose at least one course in North American Perspectives3
UNITED STATES & CANADA (^)
GREAT PLAINS & NEBRASKA
HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES (^)
Choose at least one course in Geospatial Science3-4
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION
SPATIAL ANALYSIS IN GEOGRAPHY
COMPUTER MAPPING AND VISUALIZATION (^)
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I (^)
ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING (^)
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II (^)
College Breadth (choose one option) 15-30+
Option 1: Complete any UNO minor or undergraduate certificate - 15+ hours
Option 2: Additional General Education Requirements - 12+ hours
Additional quantitative literacy - 3 hours
Additional Social Science Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours
Additional Humanities Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours
HIST 1000 and HIST 1010 - 6 hours
Additional Nat. and Physical Science w/ or without Lab - 3-5 hours
Option 3: CAS comprehensive major (50+ hours) OR any second UNO major (30+ hours)
Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement 16
FREN, GERM, Or SPAN, 1110, 1120, 2110, 2120
ELECTIVES
Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours

Geography, Bachelor of Arts Optional Concentrations

Geography majors have the option to declare a concentration, if they wish. Concentrations are at least 15 credits, and are allowed to count within the major requirements, where applicable. 

Geography, Bachelor of Arts Four Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
GEOG 1020 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 3
GEOG 1030 OUR DYNAMIC PLANET: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 4
ENGL 1150 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I 3
MATH 1300 COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT 4
Attend Durango Days; other campus events. Set up a Handshake account and take the Pathway U career assessment. Attend the Student Involvement & Volunteer Fair to explore student organizations. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. Work with your advisor to develop your Pathway in Stellic.
 
 Credits14
Spring
GEOG 1000 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY 3
GEOG 1050 HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT GEOGRAPHY 4
ENGL 1160 COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY 3
CMST 1110
PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS
or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
3
STAT 1530 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS (or other approved statistics course) 3
Attend campus events such as major exploration week to get an idea of interests and career paths. Schedule a resume review with UNO Career Services. Visit faculty office hours and ask about undergraduate research opportunities. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March.
 
 Credits16
Sophomore
Fall
CIST 1300 INTRODUCTION TO WEB DEVELOPMENT 3
General Education Course or Elective 3
General Education Course or Elective 3
World Language 1110 5
Attend the Career & Internship Fair to start networking with employers. Look for volunteer, research, or part-time work to gain experience. Join a student organization or club related to your field or interests. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
 
 Credits14
Spring
GEOG 3530 CARTOGRAPHY AND DATA VISUALIZATION 4
World Language 1120 5
General Education Course or Elective 3
General Education Course or Elective 3
Attend a career fair for informational and networking purposes. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with new experiences. Investigate and apply for summer internships, research, or study abroad programs. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March.
 
 Credits15
Junior
Fall
Physical Geography Course 3-4
General Education Course or Elective 3
Global Perspectives Geography Course 3
World Language 2110 3
Elective 3
Apply for a paid internship or research assistantship. Attend a mock interview workshop or use online interview tools with Career Services. Start researching and visiting graduate programs or professional schools. Visit Career Center, continue updating resume. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct.
 
 Credits15-16
Spring
World Language 2120 3
Human Geography Course 3
General Education Course or Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Request letters of recommendation from faculty for jobs or grad school. Attend the All-Majors Career Fair with a plan to network. Meet with your advisor or submit for a graduation check-in to review remaining degree requirements. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March.
 
 Credits15
Senior
Fall
North American Perspectives Geography Course 3
Geospatial Science Course 3-4
Human Geography Course 3
General Education Course or Elective 3
Elective 3-4
Check in with Career Center for networking tips. Finalize graduate school applications or job search strategy. Attend a career fair and start applying for full-time jobs. Prepare for interviews and salary negotiations with Career Services. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.
 
 Credits15-17
Spring
GEOG 4620 GEOGRAPHICAL FIELD STUDIES 3
General Education Course or Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Complete your final advising check before graduation. Polish your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. Stay connected by joining alumni networks and professional organizations. Apply for graduation via MavLink.
 
 Credits15
 Total Credits119-122

College Breadth: Students should plan on using at least 15 hours of "Electives" to fulfill Option 1, 2, or 3, of the College of Arts and Sciences' breadth requirement.

Upper Level Credits: Students need 27 upper level credits throughout the degree with at least 18 upper level credits within the major. Electives may need to be selected at the 3000-4000 level to reach these minimums.

Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.

Placement Exams: For Math, English, World Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
 

Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study

GPA Requirements: 2.0

Note: This plan provides a general guide, but your specific courses, experiences, and career goals may differ. Work with your academic advisor to ensure you’re meeting degree requirements and consult with career advisors to explore internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation plans. Regular check-ins will help you stay on track and make the most of your time at UNO!