Geography

Degree: B.A.

Offering a comprehensive program of study, students within the Geography major have the opportunity to receive a truly tailored education through one of three concentrations.

Why Study This Program?

Millersville University's Department of Geography offers a comprehensive program of study in one of three concentrations: environmental studies, geospatial applications and global studies. The environmental studies concentration encourages students to pursue study in traditional resource-based issues of air, water, energy and land resources. The geospatial applications concentration trains students to develop skills in geographic information systems, remote sensing, quantitative methods and cartographic design. The global studies concentration prepares students to address international and regional geographic issues, emphasizing people, communities and culture. 

Graduates of this program have been provided the foundation for further academic study in disciplines addressing geographic, environmental and international issues, or for immediate use in professional fields such as planning, public policy, law and environmental management.

What Will You Learn?

As a Geography student, you will take classes regarding human, physical, international and map interpretation and analysis. The remainder of your courses will be determined by your concentration. Class size is typically fewer than 20 students. 

Geography students can participate in research as part of their coursework; as a volunteer outside of class or an independent thesis. Recent opportunities have included mapping storm water infrastructure and detecting illicit discharges in central Lancaster County, mapping and measuring the reflectivity of street signs for local municipalities, developing a GIS of the University, crime analysis in the City of Lancaster and monitoring water quality in local streams and rivers.

The Geography faculty has developed professional relationships within the public and private sectors that have resulted in many students finding internship and job placements in a field directly related to their interests. Students have interned at the Church World Service, Refugee Services Associate PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Park Intern Chester County GIS Department, GIS Analyst City of Lancaster, Planning Intern Earth Engineering, Inc., Field Technician Lancaster County Parks Department, Environmental Educator Lancaster Farmland Trust and Land Preservationist.