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UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Department of Geography and Earth Science typically has between 150 and 200 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in one of the degree programs listed below.  Departmental faculty pride ourselves in the quality and diversity of all of our courses, as well as the quality of instruction in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in the field.  We are committed to practical hands-on learning opportunities, including internships for all students, and we take advising and career planning very seriously.  Once a student declares a specific major, they are advised by one of the 11 full-time faculty members.  Students should be assured that they have someone that will assist them with making choices that will allow them to be successful both here at Shippensburg, but also beyond as they prepare for a productive career. Students are reminded that it is up to them to signup for regular advising appointments and to approach their advisor when they experience any difficulties. If a student is not able to reach their specific advisor, they may always contact the departmental office for assistance.

Early / Dual Admissions to the MS Program in Geoenvironmental Science & Sustainability

Well-qualified Geography-Earth Science undergraduate students have the opportunity to enroll early in the Master's Degree program in Geoenvironmental Science and Sustainability.  Qualified students may double count some credits toward both BS and MS degrees in their junior and senior years and can complete the MS degree on an accelerated pace.  Interested undergraduate students maintaining a Shippensburg University grade point average of at least 3.0 overall and in their major may apply to the program in their junior or senior year.  Please contact Dr. Tom Feeney for more information. 

Undergraduate Majors

Bachelor of Science: Sustainability

Bachelor of Science: Geoenvironmental Science / Studies

Bachelor of Science: Geography-Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 

Graduate Program

Certificates, Minors and Internships

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate

The undergraduate GIS certificate (12 credits) is designed for students in any major (including GEO majors) who want a solid hands-on introduction to GIS, exposure to a range of applications, and an official certificate recorded on their academic transcript.

Minors

The Geography and Earth Science Department offers three minors: Geography, Sustainability, and GIS.  Students majoring in any other academic major (i.e. not a GEO/ESS major) are able to select from those choices:

The Geography minor can be satisfied through completion of one of four 21-credit options: Geoenvironmental, Urban-Rural Planning, World Regional Systems, and Geoscience.  These tracks highlight both the social and physical sides of Geography-Earth Science and provide students with a range of options that address their specific interests.  This minor would be an excellent choice for students majoring in elementary education, history/social studies, biology, etc.

The Sustainability minor (21 credits) integrates concepts of environmental, economic, and social sustainability.  The minor includes flexible course options within the Geography-Earth Science Department and from allied departments in the physical and social sciences.  This is a great minor to complement degrees in Biology, Economics, Political Science, or Business.

The GIS Minor (18 credits) supports non-majors that recognize the need to develop geospatial thinking, database, and mapping skills.  Students enrolled in Business, Supply Chain Management, and Criminal Justice often take advantage of this opportunity, and it is also appropriate for students in Biology, Computer Science, or other programs where spatial skills are critical for analyses.  Thus, the GIS Minor is an excellent complement to any major that focuses on people, money, resources, or the environment.

Our courses and faculty also support the International Studies and Marine Science minors.

Internships