May 20, 2026  
Ohio University 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Ohio University 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Geography–Globalization and Development Major (B.S.)


Major code BS4248

College of Arts and Sciences 
Geography Department 
Clippinger Laboratories 231
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1138
www.ohio.edu/cas/geography

Edna Wangui, Chair
wangui@ohio.edu
Brad Jokisch, contact person
jokisch@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Geography bridges the natural and social sciences. Geographers focus on spatial patterns to study physical and cultural environments and how people interact with those environments. Geography is important to humanity because most of the world’s problems require deep understanding of the interdependence between human activities and the natural world. Geographic theories and methods provide students with fundamental analytical skills relevant to any occupation focused on solving social and environmental problems. Reflecting the diversity and breadth of geography, the department of Geography offers a Bachelor Science in Geography with six possible concentrations and a Bachelor of Science in Geography - Meteorology with two possible tracks to help students specialize in a subfield of their choice.

The Geography major with a concentration in Globalization and Development will provide students with a sophisticated understanding of contemporary global issues and a geographical framework for analyzing key issues involved in national and international development, especially as it relates to the global south. Similar to the broader discipline of geography, this major concentration emphasizes an integrated approach to studying the relationship of global change to individual and community well-being by combining the benefits of area studies with theoretical and topical investigations in the curriculum. 

The Geography Department at Ohio University is committed to excellence in both teaching and advising. Several of our faculty members have received teaching awards. We are known across campus for the highest quality of student advising. As a geography major, you will meet one-on-one with your faculty advisor every semester during advising week, and you are always welcome to talk with your advisor at any time throughout the semester whenever questions may arise. In addition to advising our students about their academic programs, we provide timely information about internships, nationally competitive awards, and other opportunities as they arise. Many of our students complete internships and several of our students have received nationally competitive awards.

For more information about our program, please view this video, visit our website, or reach out to the faculty contact person, whose information is listed above.

Admissions Information

Freshmen/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Geography and a concentration in Globalization and Development prepares students for employment in a variety of fields, including non-profit and government work, particularly in the areas of community and international development. This degree will also prepare students well to work in the private sector in an international context. Graduates from this program will also be well situated to continue on to graduate school or law school, with research and professional interest in academic fields, including, but not limited to, geography, public affairs and policy, development studies, and community and regional planning.

Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements


Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide  page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement


View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Geography Major (B.S.)


The requirement for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Geography is a minimum of 30 credit hours of Geography (GEOG) courses. In addition to the major requirement, students are required to complete one of six major concentrations. Additional credit hour requirements for the Globalization and Development concentration are specified below the Geography major requirements.   

Geography Foundations


Complete the following geography foundation courses with at least the minimum grade indicated for each course. Ideally GEOG 2680 and 2710 should be taken before your junior year.

Geography Regional Elective


Complete one (1) regional course from the following:

Geography Thematic Electives


Complete two (2) courses at the 3000/4000-level AND excluding the following: 

Globalization and Development Concentration Requirements


To complete the Geography major with a concentration in Globalization and Development, a minimum of eighteen (18) additional credit hours are required from the following: