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BCLASSE Geography and Urban and Regional Studies
Unless you’ve already 100% decided that you want to major in Urban and Regional Geography Studies, you may have a few questions about this degree, and understandably so! It’s a more specialized field, and receives less attention than broader studies like business or communications. So, why choose geography as a major? For one, it’s one of the fastest growing fields of applied technologies, with many opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, it provides a great intersection for those equally passionate about working with people as well as their physical environments. At YSU, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, with the option to also minor in any of five available geography fields.
what is geography?
Simply put, geography is the study of the earth’s physical environment and how human interaction with their environments impact populations and resources. Many people are familiar with at least a few geographical concepts, such as topography and weather. However, this major digs deeper in order to explore contemporary concepts regarding the intersections of human and environmental geography.
what does this program look like at YSU?
Youngstown State offers a Bachelor of Arts in either Geography or Geography-GIS/Remote Sensing. A BA degree in this field means that the courses you take will observe geography through a more holistic lens. While you will still study the technical aspects of geography (especially in the GIS/RS track), your degree will focus more on the relationship between humans and their environment. A Bachelor of Arts degree will set students up to be successful in a variety of work environments, with particular emphasis on jobs that involve community development, planning, and teaching roles.
If you’re looking to add a geography-related minor, YSU has quite a few options. General Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Geographic Information Science and Regional Geography are all available minors for YSU students. Another option is an 18-credit GIS and Technology certificate program, which also offers the chance to intern at a variety of prestigious organizations, such as National Geographic!
what is GIS and why is it important?
Speaking of National Geographic, they explain geographic information systems (GIS) as a “computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface.” The importance of GIS becomes more relevant each year, as geographers (and other professions) utilize this tool to help with an increasing array of tasks and problems. Uses for GIS include natural resource management, planning federal emergency routes, implementation of marketing resources, studying earthquake faults, and to update or create new population density maps. The applications for GIS are limitless, and it’s a fantastic skill to add to any resume.
Is A BA in Geography a Profitable Degree?
Career opportunities for graduates can vary, but YSU students have been employed by organizations such as Chevron Oil and the United States Department of Agriculture, as well as locally based jobs at Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership and Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group. Urban planners, environmental scientists, cartographers, and hydrologists are all job opportunities that geography graduates could find for themselves. The salary for graduates is also rather substantial. Median pay for geographers is upwards of $85,000 as of 2021, and those who found jobs in the federal government saw their median wage reach over $93,000.
Like any other college degree, a BA in Geography is an investment. However, job security in this field is stable, and a Bachelor’s Degree is typically all that’s needed to land an entry-level job. If there are any financial hurdles preventing you from enrolling in a degree program at YSU, you can still apply! The University automatically awards scholarships to incoming freshmen students, and there are many other application and merit-based scholarships that students can check out for further financial assistance. If you’re still curious about this degree path, you can find additional information about Geography Majors at YSU here!
