Geography, BA
Geography is more than maps and locations—it’s an active field that connects culture, science, technology, and sustainability to address some of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Our Geography BA program prepares students to be leaders at the forefront of these challenges, giving them the knowledge and skills to tackle issues like climate change and urbanization. Explore what makes our program unique and how it can give you a competitive advantage in your future.
Program Overview
The Geography BA program explores the environment, locational data, place, and space, all while teaching students to understand humans’ impact on these elements.
As a geography student, you will develop skills in geographic information systems (GIS), learn to think critically about humans’ impact on the environment, and ask big questions about world ecology. Whether you’re interested in physical geography, geographic information science and technology (GIST), or human geography, our program’s abundant and flexible courses give you an interdisciplinary foundation of knowledge to build from.
Additionally, with our five available concentrations, Honors pathway, accelerated combined BA/MS, and our plethora of minor options, you can tailor your degree anyway you see fit, giving you professional knowledge that prepares you for the real world.
Concentrations
Our concentrations reflect some of the most popular areas of study within physical and human geography, GIST, or sustainability. If you want to learn more about the environment; gain geospatial, mapping, and data visualization skills; or even acquire practical skills through field research, our concentrations prepare you to address global issues with passion and purpose.
Our current available concentrations include:
- Climate and Climate Change
- Geospatial Science and Technology
- Landscapes and Environment
- Space, Society, and Culture
- Urban Studies
Honors
If you’re interested in pursuing more advanced, rigorous coursework, our Honors pathway would be a great fit. You will take Honors-specific courses and complete an Honors thesis under the guidance of a faculty mentor, all while receiving one-on-one mentorship. Students interested in Honors must maintain an overall GPA of 3.25.
Our program offers Honors for every concentration and for students interested in the accelerated combined BA/MS program.
Accelerated Combined BA / MS
In addition to Honors, our program also offers an accelerated combined BA/MS program that allows students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in geography in five years. Undergraduate students take up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework that counts towards both their BA and MS degrees. This flexible pathway allows you to tailor your education any way you see fit.
Our program offers the accelerated combined BA/MS option for all our available concentrations and for Honors students.
Minors
A minor in a geography-related field can help enhance any degree, no matter what your primary field of study is. Whether you want to gain foundational knowledge of climate change, learn the basics of geography, or gain GIS skills, we have pathways that will help you hit the ground running.
The Department of Geography and Sustainability has the following available minors:
- Geography Minor
- Climate Change Minor
- Sustainability Minor
- Urban Studies Minor
- Geographic Information Science Minor
- Applications of Uncrewed Aerial Systems Minor
Why Study Geography?
A Bachelor of Arts in geography equips you with geographical knowledge and allows you to work alongside expert faculty who have contributed to research ranging from the impact of data centers to world maps and cartography.
Our program boasts opportunities to gain hands-on skills both globally and locally. You will work with community partners like the Tennessee Geographic Alliance, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, the West TN River Basin Authority (WRTBA), and more.
Many of our students also participate in study abroad opportunities to gain specialized knowledge in areas like sustainability, water resources, GIS, and cultural geography. As recently as 2025, 11 of our undergraduate students visited Uvita, Costa Rica, and used their GIS skills to contribute to urban planning and environmental studies in the area.
Whatever your interests, our program equips you with expert guidance, experiential learning opportunities, and hands-on skills to help you excel in the future.
What Can You Do with a BA in Geography After Graduation?
Studying Geography at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville means developing an expansive knowledge of global geography, while also getting a more specialized education in your concentration. Through coursework in GIS, physical geography, and human geography, students learn about human-environment interactions, sustainability, and more to prepare them with the skills needed for a career in research and professional roles.
Alumni of the geography program have gone on to work in physical geography as geomorphologists, oceanographists, hydrologists, or conservation scientists. Others go into environmental management, emergency management, outdoor recreation, or public health/epidemiology. On the other hand, many graduates go into planning, such as housing development, transportation planning, or regional planning. In technology, many geography majors become GIS analysts, remote sensing analysts, or cartographers. In business, you could even be a demographer or location analyst. You could also go into cultural and human geography, as a cultural resource specialist, cultural site manager, sustainability manager, or population analyst. Whether you decide to go into more environment-related, technological, or urban fields, this program gives students a solid foundation to pursue geographical careers or further education.
Featured Courses
GEOG 333 Climate Change and Human Response
This course explores controversies and uncertainties about present-day climate change, future climate scenarios and mitigation strategies, and individual and policy responses to climate predictions.
GEOG 312 First Steps in GIS Programming
This course is for first-time GIS programmers. Students will learn to design and implement simple to complex sequences of calculations on geospatial information. They will also learn to use Python scripts to automate GIS data preparation, analysis, and mapping.
GEOG 442 Urban Spaces and Urban Society
In this course, students will learn the social and behavioral determinants of territoriality, residential mobility, and segregation; Social production of neighborhoods; and spatial dimensions of urban social problems.
GEOG 421 Maps, Society, Power
Students will explore maps as historical and contemporary technologies of social power and resistance; wider political lives and place-making power of maps; ethical and social justice implications of cartography; and geospatial analysis.
Complementary Minors and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Geology and Environmental Science, BS
- Applications of Uncrewed Aerial Systems Certificate
- Geographic Information Science Minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
Admissions and Aid
Are you ready to become a Vol? Learn how to apply and explore tuition, cost, and aid below.
Request Information
Want to join us in creating what’s next? Learn more about the Geography, BA program and become a Vol-in-Progress!