Major in Geography and Environmental Studies
Geography and Environmental Studies
The Geography and Environmental Studies program bridges the human and natural environments by examining the relationships between people, place, society, and the natural and built environment. In the Geography concentration, students explore the complexity of location, distribution, and spatial processes that reflect society and the natural environment, especially in the context of urban systems and issues. In the Environmental Studies concentration, students focus on the discourse, quality, restoration, and conservation of human-environment systems through the applications of responsible planning, policy, education, and interpretation. Students in this program gain skills in spatial thinking, mapping and geospatial analysis, and the study of human–environment interactions to understand and solve complex environmental challenges across local, regional, and global scales. With a unique focus on social science theory and application, critical geographic and environmental analysis, spatial reasoning, and applied problem solving, students engage in issues concerning environmental justice, sustainability, conservation psychology, land use, risk, and governance. The program prepares graduates for careers or further study in fields such as urban planning, policy, education, interpretation, community engagement, nonprofit work, and applied geographic analysis, where understanding place, context, and human dimensions is essential.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Geography and Environmental Studies program is open to students who meet the University’s general admission requirements. There are no additional program-specific admission requirements beyond those required for admission to the University.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Geography and Environmental Studies
To obtain the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Geography and Environmental Studies, students will complete a common core in geography, environmental studies, and geoscience foundations, and choose one of two concentrations: Geography or Environmental Studies. Both concentrations emphasize spatial thinking, human–environment relationships, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding environmental and societal challenges across local to global scales.
Core Courses (19-20 Credit Hours):
The program core establishes shared foundations in Geography, Environmental Studies, and Geosciences to develop the conceptual and methodological framework that supports advanced concentration-specific study.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GES-104 | World Geography | 3 |
| GES-150 | Introduction To Environmental Studies | 3 |
| GES-205 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| or ESCI-211 | Physical Geology | |
| GES-374 | Research Methods | 3 |
| GES-391 | Introduction To GIS | 3 |
Geography Concentration
The Geography concentration focuses on spatial analysis, place-based inquiry, and the study of physical and human landscapes, preparing students to analyze patterns and processes that shape environments, regions, and communities. Geography students gain skills in geospatial techniques, location analysis, and interdisciplinary problem-solving preparing them for further study or careers in urban planning, GIS consulting, spatial analytics, education, and community engagement.
In addition to completion of program core, students must complete the following concentration requirement and approved electives.
Required Courses (15 Credit Hours):
Block 1: Urban Geography (Select 2 courses – 6 Credit Hours):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GES-365 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| GES-361 | Urban Planning | 3 |
| GES-347 | Gentrification And Urban Redevelopment | 3 |
| GES-346 | Geography Of Metropolitan Chicago | 3 |
| GES-349 | Environment And Urbanization | 3 |
| GES-348 | Latinx Metropolis | 3 |
| GES-355 | Metropolitan Transportation: Problems And Planning | 3 |
| GES-389 | Urban Design Studio | 3 |
Block 2: Human Geography (Select 1 course – 3 Credit Hours):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GES-345 | Medical Geography | 3 |
| GES-314 | Political Geography | 3 |
| GES-337 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| GES-315 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GES-362 | Population Geography | 3 |
| GES-367 | Geography Of Tourism | 3 |
| GES-305 | Geography And Map Skills For Teachers | 3 |
Block 3: Regional Geography (Select 1 course – 3 Credit Hours):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GES 302 Regional Geography series (C, D, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, O, Q, S, V, X) | ||
| GES-301 | Great Lakes Environmental Management | 3 |
Block 4: Field Geography (Select 1 course -3 Credit Hours):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GES-323 | Green Infrastructure Planning And Management | 3 |
| GES-327 | Forest Resource Management | 3 |
| GES-344 | Chicago River Issues | 3 |
| GES-346 | Geography Of Metropolitan Chicago | 3 |
| GES-347 | Gentrification And Urban Redevelopment | 3 |
| GES-348 | Latinx Metropolis | 3 |
| GES-380 | Field Methods | 3 |
| GES-388 | Field Camp | 3 |
Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours):
Students must also complete additional approved elective coursework selected from concentration-appropriate offerings to meet total credit hours required for the degree.
Environmental Studies Concentration
The Environmental Studies concentration emphasizes interdisciplinary and critical perspectives on environmental issues, including the social, cultural, psychological, political, and ethical dimensions of human-environment interactions. Environmental Studies students gain skills in managing human-nature systems, complex problem-solving, natural resource protection, environmental communication, and activism preparing them for careers and further study in environmental policy, planning, education, nature interpretation, community engagement, nonprofit work, and sustainability-related work.
Required Courses (15 Credit Hours):
Environmental Studies Fundamentals (3 courses -9 Credit Hours):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GES-308 | Conservation Psychology | 3 |
| GES-307 | Environmental Education | 3 |
| or GES-309 | Principles And Methods Of Environmental Interpretation | |
| GES-319 | Environmental And Natural Resources Policy | 3 |
| or GES-359 | Environmental Planning | |
Interdisciplinary Social Science and Humanities Applications (Select 2 courses -6 Credit Hours):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ART/BIO-302 | Design In Nature | 3 |
| BIO-306 | Botany Of Desire | 3 |
| BIO-315 | Communicating Science | 3 |
| ECON-337 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENGL-343 | Global Ecologies: U.S. Literature In The Age Of Environmentalism | 3 |
| HIST-346 | Environmental History | 3 |
| HSCI-312 | Global And Environmental Health | 3 |
| PHIL-365 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| SOC-338 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours):
Students must also complete additional approved elective coursework selected from concentration-appropriate offerings to meet total credit hours required for the degree.
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| FYE Course (e.g., GES-109B: Humans and The Chicago Environment) | 3 | |
| GES-104 | World Geography | 3 |
| ENGL-101 | Writing I | 3 |
| General Education Course (FA1) | 3 | |
| General Education Course (MATH) | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| GES-150 | Introduction To Environmental Studies | 3 |
| GES-205 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| ENGL-102 | Writing II | 3 |
| General Education Course (H1) | 3 | |
| General Education Course (NS1) | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Concentration Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| General Education Course (H2) | 3 | |
| General Education Course (FA2) | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| GES-391 | Introduction To GIS | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| General Education Course (H3) | 3 | |
| General Education Course (NS2) | 3 | |
| GES Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Concentration Requirement 4 | 3 | |
| GES Elective 2 | 3 | |
| General Education Course (NS3) | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Concentration Requirement 5 | 3 | |
| GES Elective 3 | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| GES-374 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Capstone course | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| 300-level course - Minor/Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |