Apr 22, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Geography (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

Students of geography develop skills that prepare them for a variety of careers related to spatial analysis, environmental sustainability, natural resource management, urban and regional planning, international development, and more. They may pursue a traditional major in geography, a geography minor, or choose the geography-pre-planning option. The bachelor of science or the bachelor of arts degree may be earned. Students may choose an emphasis in areas such as governance and globalization, planning, or Geographic Information Science (GIS). Graduates pursue careers in conservation, energy, government, environmental protection, law, public policy, transportation, culture, and international affairs; and provide geographic expertise to a wide variety of public and private companies.  Other concentrations may be developed to reflect the particular interests of a student, including but not limited to GIS.

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

KBOR Statewide Transfer (SWT) Courses: https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/transfer-articulation.

English (Written Communication Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

Communication (Oral Communication Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Math & Statistics (Quantitative Literacy Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Natural & Physical Sciences (Natural & Physical Sciences Outcomes): 4-5 Credit Hours

Choose 1 subject area which must include a lab.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Arts & Humanities (Arts & Humanities Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Free Electives (Institutionally Designated Area): 6 Credit Hours

Includes ALL 100 and 200 level courses at K-State or in Transfer. 
Note: One course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. However, students must complete a total of 34-36 credit hours of general education courses.

For a Full Listing of K-State 100/200 level courses you may search those courses individually via the University Course Catalog.

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-36

Program Requirements

Orientation: 1 Credit Hour

Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except GEOG, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for GEOG) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: [9] Credit Hours

May be filled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3] fulfilled by GEOG 100
  • US Multicultural Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3] may be fulfilled by taking GEOG 370 as an elective


Requirements for the Geography Major

Required Courses: 20 Credit Hours

All of these courses are required.

Category Electives: 11-13 Credit Hours

Students must select: 2 courses from the Human Geography category;  1 course from either the Envrironmental Geography OR Human-Environment Interaction categories; AND 1 course from the Careers in Geography category.

Human Geography: 6 Credit Hours

Select 2 courses for 6 credit hours from the followiing courses

Human-Environment Interaction 3 Credit Hours

Environmental Geography 3-4 Credit Hours

Careers in Geography: 2-3 Credit Hours

Geography Electives: 9 Credit Hours

Courses may not double count for any of the above requirements.

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Restricted Electives: 6 Credit Hours

3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

One course in Humanities Credits: 3 Credit Hours

Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3 Credit Hours

BA Natural and Quantitative Restricted Electives: 3 Credit Hours

One course in the following, at any level

Natural Science, or Quantitative: 3 Credit Hours

Courses taken in the Environmental Geography section may also be counted toward this requirement

BA Second Language Requirement: 3-16 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following:

Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours

At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., French 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence.

Option 2: 16 Credit Hours

At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level.

Option 3: 3 Credit Hours

Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program.

Free Electives: 8-24 Credit Hours

In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120.

Total Hours for Graduation: 120