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Welcome to the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GES). Our award-winning faculty offer engaging, high-impact learning opportunities in the classroom, through field-based courses, mentored research, and online instruction. We offer undergraduate (BA) and graduate (MA) degrees, minors in Geology and Sustainability, and undergraduate and graduate certificates in GIScience. GES students benefit from small classes; faculty dedicated to teaching and learning; a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness; and the beautiful, dynamic geography of Colorado and the Pikes Peak Region. Coursework in Geography and Environmental Studies fosters a greater understanding of the places, people, and environmental systems that affect us locally, regionally, and globally. GES degrees incorporate diverse intellectual approaches, conceptual tools, and geospatial technologies to prepare graduates for careers that make a positive difference with real-world impacts. We look forward to your joining us and discovering why geography matters!
GES Mission Statement
Broadly, GES seeks to
- broaden students' understanding of the world in which they live
- produce graduates with an appreciation for the discipline of geography
- highlight the importance of inclusivity
- prepare students for careers and productive citizenship through lifelong learning
Specifically, GES seeks to
- educate students about human and physical processes that shape the natural and cultural landscape
- foster understanding of human-environment interactions and sustainability
- provide technological skills needed to study spatial relationships
Earn Your BA in Geography
To earn a BA in Geography, students complete 41 credit hours of GES courses, 21 of which must be upper division. The curriculum is comprehensive and designed to serve students in potential careers in research, government, industry, and education. This includes courses in physical, human, and cultural geography, as well methods courses that provide exposure to the various tools and techniques of geographic research.
Earn Your MA in Applied Geography
To earn a MA in Applied Geography, students complete 24 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis. The program provides opportunities to explore human-environment relations as well as questions of social equality to address local, regional and international issues. Students engage in sustainability studies, applied community-based research, physical geographic / climatic / geomorphic systems, human / cultural geography, and / or geospatial technologies to provide practical and systematic solutions.