Geography

The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Geography. We also offer optional concentrations in Geographic Information Science and Technology (BA, BS), Travel & Tourism (BA, BS), and Physical Geography (BS only), as well as a minor in Geography. The geography program at UNO prepares students for careers in urban and environmental planning, geographic information systems, cartography, remote sensing, and other areas of geographic research.

Other Information

All coursework taken for the Geography major or minor must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better.

Double-counting rules between Geography and Environmental Science-Geography and Planning:
Students pursuing both majors may not count the same 3000-4000 level Geography courses towards both programs, with the exception of GEOG 3530 and 4050.

The Environmental Science-Geography and Planning major with Geography minor may not use the same 3000/4000 level course for both programs.

Double-counting rules between Geography and Geology:
Only one course at the upper level may be counted as credit for both the Geography major and Geology minor, or Geology major and Geography minor. All other upper-level courses can only count in either the major or minor.

Geography may also be studied through the College of Public Affairs and Community Service in the Division of Continuing Studies. Students interested in this degree program must meet with an advisor in the Division of Continuing Studies. The concentration consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours in geography, details of which are provided here.

Option for Degree Completion

Fast Track Program

The Department of Geography/Geology has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.

Program Specifics:

  • This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing a BA/BS in Geography desiring to pursue an MS in Geography.
  • Students must have completed no less than 60 undergraduate hours.
  • Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
  • Students must have a graduate faculty member in the department of Geography/Geology provide a short letter of support for their application to Fast Track as a faculty sponsor/mentor.
  • Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
  • Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduate coursework is required to remain in good standing.
  • Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
  • Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
    • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. 
    • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

Student Groups

University of Nebraska Omaha Geography Club

Contact

Rex G. Cammack, Chair: Department of Geography/Geology

260 DSC
402.554.2662

Website

Degrees Offered

Minors Offered

Available on campus and online.

Geographers are on the front line, tackling some of the most urgent issues facing our world, such as climate change, rapid urbanization, and the spread of infectious diseases.  Want to make a difference in our world? – become a geographer!

Geography is the study of the earth as the home to humans, from the environment and landscape to the ways in which humans depend on, adapt to, and modify our world. It mixes the physical sciences (landforms, climate, biology), with the social sciences (population, land use, culture, economic development), using cutting-edge spatial technologies (geographic information systems, global positioning systems, remote sensing). We are interested not only in where things are, but why they are there, and “why should we care?”  To study geography means honing both observational and analytical skills. With these skills, our graduates work in a wide range of fields, including:

  • urban planning
  • environmental management (for state and federal agencies)
  • cartography and spatial analysis (for state and federal agencies as well as private companies)
  • geospatial data science (for community development, marketing, and infrastructure planning)
  • emergency planning and preparedness
  • climatology and meteorology
  • education
  • natural resource management(groundwater, rivers, soil and air)
  • environmental conservation and preservation (local state and national park rangers, historical preservation, and environmental education)