May 17, 2026

2026-2027 General Catalog

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2026-2027 General Catalog

Geography, B.A.

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General Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements (124 Cr.)

Major Requirements (Minimum 32 Cr.)

Geography BA Core: 11 Cr.

GEO 104 - Environmental Earth Science Credits: 4
GEO 215 - Intro to Geographic Info Systems, Systems Credits: 4

Take one of the following courses:

GEO 101 - World Human Geography Credits: 3
GEO 102SS - Globalization and Development Credits: 3

Concentration Area

Geography Concentration: 21 Cr.

Take one (1) 200-level Geography course: 3 Cr.

Take one (1) advanced human geography course from the following:

GEO 301CD - Regional Geographies of the World Credits: 3
GEO 320 - Urban Geography Credits: 3
GEO 321 - Urban and Regional Planning Credits: 3
GEO 420 - Rural Geography Credits: 3
GEO 475 - Culture, Nature, Landscape Credits: 3

Take one (1) advanced physical geography or geospatial course of from the following:

GEO 304 - Process Geomorphology & Terrain Analysis Credits: 4
GEO 315 - Environmental Applications of GIS Credits: 3
GEO 316 - Internet Mapping & Web GIS Credits: 3
GEO 330 - Remote Sensing of the Environment Credits: 3
GEO 365 - Biogeography Credits: 3
GEO 415 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3
GEO 460 - Data Analysis Credits: 3

Take additional twelve (12) credits in Geography, with at least six (6) credits from courses 300-level or higher.

Sustainability Concentration: 21 Cr.

Sustainability Core

GEO 204 - National Parks and Public Lands Credits: 3
GEO 265 - Sustainability: Envrnmnt, Ecnmy, Socty Credits: 3
GEO 321 - Urban and Regional Planning Credits: 3
GEO 364 - Wetlands Credits: 3
GEO 475 - Culture, Nature, Landscape Credits: 3

Take one (1) of the following courses:

GEO 304 - Process Geomorphology & Terrain Analysis Credits: 4
GEO 315 - Environmental Applications of GIS Credits: 3
GEO 316 - Internet Mapping & Web GIS Credits: 3
GEO 330 - Remote Sensing of the Environment Credits: 3
GEO 365 - Biogeography Credits: 3
GEO 415 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3
GEO 460 - Data Analysis Credits: 3

Professional Experience 3 Cr.

Three credits from the following options:

ENVS 499 - Colloquium on Environmental Science and, Management Credits: 1
GEO 385 - Field Study Credits: 1
GEO 486 - Internship in Geography Credits: 1
GEO 496 - Research in Geography Credits: 1

Earth Systems Concentration: 21 Cr.

Earth Systems Core

GEO 266 - River Systems and Landforms Credits: 3
GEO 304 - Process Geomorphology & Terrain Analysis Credits: 4
GEO 315 - Environmental Applications of GIS Credits: 3
GEO 360 - Soils and the Environment Credits: 3
GEO 365 - Biogeography Credits: 3

Take one (1) of the following courses:

GEO 204 - National Parks and Public Lands Credits: 3
GEO 301CD - Regional Geographies of the World Credits: 3
GEO 320 - Urban Geography Credits: 3
GEO 321 - Urban and Regional Planning Credits: 3
GEO 420 - Rural Geography Credits: 3
GEO 475 - Culture, Nature, Landscape Credits: 3

Professional Experience: 2 Cr.

Two credits from the following options:

ENVS 499 - Colloquium on Environmental Science and, Management Credits: 1
GEO 385 - Field Study Credits: 1
GEO 486 - Internship in Geography Credits: 1
GEO 496 - Research in Geography Credits: 1

Urban Planning Concentration: 21 Cr.

Urban Planning Core

GEO 201 - Economic Geography Credits: 3 OR
GEO 265 - Sustainability: Envrnmnt, Ecnmy, Socty Credits: 3
GEO 320 - Urban Geography Credits: 3
GEO 321 - Urban and Regional Planning Credits: 3
GEO 420 - Rural Geography Credits: 3

Take one (1) of the following courses:

GEO 304 - Process Geomorphology & Terrain Analysis Credits: 4
GEO 315 - Environmental Applications of GIS Credits: 3
GEO 316 - Internet Mapping & Web GIS Credits: 3
GEO 330 - Remote Sensing of the Environment Credits: 3
GEO 365 - Biogeography Credits: 3
GEO 415 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3
GEO 460 - Data Analysis Credits: 3

Take one additional 200, 300, or 400 level Geography course: 3 Cr.

Professional Experience: 3 Cr.

Three credits from the following options:

ENVS 499 - Colloquium on Environmental Science and, Management Credits: 1
GEO 385 - Field Study Credits: 1
GEO 486 - Internship in Geography Credits: 1
GEO 496 - Research in Geography Credits: 1

Degree Map - Geography Concentration

Credits: 124

2026-2027

Freshman Year

Fall: Semester 1

GEO 101 - World Human Geography Credits: 3 OR
GEO 102SS - Globalization and Development Credits: 3
VUE 101 - Valparaiso University Experience: Exploring Values Credits: 4
Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4
GEO 104 - Environmental Earth Science Credits: 4

Total Credits: 15

Spring: Semester 2

GEO 215 - Intro to Geographic Info Systems, Systems Credits: 4
VUE 102 - Valparaiso University Experience: Finding Your Voice Credits: 4
XS 101 - Wellness and Stress Credits: 1
World Language Credits: 4
Humanities Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16

Sophomore Year

Fall: Semester 3

GEO 200-level course Credits: 3
Writing Intensive Course Credits: 3
REL 100 - Religion and Society Credits: 3
World Language Credits: 3
Elective/Minor Requirement Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Spring: Semester 4

Natural Science Credits: 4
Humanities Credits: 3
Elective/Minor Requirement Credits: 3
Advanced Human Geography Course Credits: 3
Social Science Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16

Junior Year

Fall: Semester 5

Any GEO Course Credits: 3
Any GEO Course Credits: 3
Advanced Physical Geography Course Credits: 3-4
Elective/Minor Requirement Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15-16

Spring: Semester 6

GEO 300 or 400 level course: 3
Second Religious Studies Course Credits: 3
Elective/Minor Requirement Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Senior Year

Fall: Semester 7

GEO Writing Capstone Course: 3
Elective/Minor Requirement Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 1

Total Credits: 16

Spring: Semester 8

GEO 400-level course: 3
Elective/Minor Requirement Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 1

Total Credits: 16

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