Academic Programs

The Department of Geography at the University of Cincinnati provides a broad range of undergraduate and graduate academic programs that investigate how human activity connects with and shapes the physical environment. With a strong focus on personalized learning, the department empowers students to craft academic paths that reflect their unique interests and professional aspirations. Students explore key areas such as environmental, human, urban, economic, and physical geography, guided by a faculty actively involved in innovative research and scholarly work.

UC’s Geography undergraduate programs build a strong foundation in spatial thinking, data analysis, and environmental understanding. Through hands-on work with tools like GIS and remote sensing, students examine how people, places, and policies interact. Majors and minors offer flexible paths that support individual interests and career goals in both human and environmental systems.

The Bachelor of Science in Geography at UC focuses on spatial analysis, environmental systems, and geospatial technologies. Students gain hands-on experience with tools like GIS and remote sensing to explore the interactions between human activity and the physical environment. This program equips graduates with the technical and analytical skills needed to address complex geographic challenges.

• Geography - BS
• Geography - BS: Environmental-Physical

The BA in Geography with a Human-Urban-Economic focus at UC explores human behavior, urban development, and economic systems. Students analyze the spatial aspects of societal challenges, with the flexibility to tailor their studies through double majors or minors, preparing them to address complex urban and economic issues.

The Geography Minor provides students with the opportunity to explore the spatial aspects of human society, urban development, and economic systems. This program enhances analytical and problem-solving skills, complementing a variety of majors across disciplines.

The Geographic Information Science (GIS) Certificate offers both beginners and experienced professionals a comprehensive foundation in GIS theory, along with practical experience using industry-standard tools such as ArcGIS.

The Department of Geography offers flexible graduate programs designed to meet diverse academic and professional goals. Students can pursue a research-focused MA or PhD, or earn a fully online MS in Geographic Information Systems. Each path emphasizes advanced analytical skills, interdisciplinary research, and close faculty mentorship—preparing graduates for careers in academia, industry, or public service.

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The PhD program in Geography at UC emphasizes advanced research in GIScience, urban/economic, cultural, and physical/environmental geography. Students engage in specialized coursework, including GIS, remote sensing, quantitative methods, and a foreign language or computer science proficiency.

The MA in Geography offers both accelerated (non-thesis) and traditional (thesis) tracks, allowing students to specialize in areas such as economic, urban, historical-cultural, or physical geography.

The MS GIS program at UC Online offers a flexible, 100% online curriculum that equips students with advanced skills in spatial analysis, data mining, remote sensing, and GIS programming, preparing them for leadership roles in the growing geospatial industry.

The Geographic Information Science (GIS) Graduate Certificate provides professionals of all experience levels a strong foundation in GIS theory and practical skills using industry-standard software, preparing them for advanced roles in the geospatial field.