COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography at Texas State University is a comprehensive and flexible degree designed to provide students with a strong understanding of both physical and human geography while also allowing them to tailor their studies through electives and a required minor. The program begins with foundational courses in the freshman year, where students complete core curriculum subjects such as communication, mathematics, life and physical sciences, government, and history, alongside introductory geography courses like GEO 1309 or GEO 1310 (World or Cultural Geography), GEO 2301 (Our Dynamic Earth), and GEO 2110 (Physical Geography Lab).These early courses build essential analytical, communication, and scientific thinking skills. In the sophomore year, students continue core education while advancing into key geography subjects such as GEO 2426 (Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems) and GEO 3301 (Research Methods in Geography), which introduce technical tools like GIS and research methodologies critical for spatial analysis. At this stage, students may also begin or continue a modern language requirement or electives depending on their background.During the junior year, the program becomes more specialized, with students taking advanced geography courses such as GEO 3425 and selecting from a range of upper-level GIS, remote sensing, or regional geography options. They also complete requirements in social sciences, creative arts, and English literature, ensuring a well-rounded academic experience. Importantly, students must also pursue a minor, which can be chosen from areas like biology, computer science, mathematics, or physics, depending on their career goals. This interdisciplinary approach enhances employability by combining geographic knowledge with another skill set. In the senior year, students focus on advanced coursework and electives, including technical writing (ENG 3303) and higher-level geography electives such as GEO 4316 or GEO 4325. These courses emphasize real-world applications, data interpretation, and professional communication skills.To graduate, students must complete at least 120 credit hours, including a minimum of 36 geography credits, maintain a 2.50 GPA in their major, and achieve at least a 2.25 overall GPA at the university. Additionally, all geography courses counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Overall, this degree prepares students for careers in GIS, environmental management, urban planning, research, and related fields by combining technical expertise, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary learning.