Geographic, Environmental and Urban Studies

Montclair students gathered around a garden bed in an urban garden surrounded by buildings

The BA in Geographic, Environmental, and Urban Studies gives you a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of how people interact with natural and built environments. You’ll explore geography, environmental systems, and urban development through courses in human geography, environmental policy, sustainability, and spatial analysis.

You’ll develop analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex issues such as urban planning, environmental justice, resource management, and sustainable development. Hands-on learning opportunities include Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training, research projects, and field-based experiences that prepare you for careers in public service, nonprofit organizations, or private industry.

This program also offers a combined BA/MBA pathway, allowing you to accelerate your graduate education and prepare for leadership roles in policy and environmental management.
See the curriculum.

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A Flexible Path

Choose from four tracks to customize your studies in regional planning, environmental policy, earth systems, or geoinformatics. Each track includes focused coursework and electives that build your expertise for careers in urban planning, environmental management, or spatial analysis.

Focus on the social, political, and economic forces shaping cities and regions. This track includes courses in urban anthropology, transportation, geopolitics, and urban planning, with field-based learning and GIS applications. You’ll analyze how infrastructure, policy, and environmental issues impact urban development and sustainability.

Explore the relationships between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social policy. Courses cover sustainability science, environmental law, world resources, and energy economics. This track prepares you to evaluate policies and design strategies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Examine earth systems through physical geography, climate science, hydrology, and geochemistry. You’ll gain field and lab experience analyzing natural processes and human-environment interactions. This concentration is ideal for students pursuing environmental analysis or research careers.

Develop technical expertise in GIS, remote sensing, data science, and spatial modeling. Courses include Python programming, database systems, and big data management, combined with environmental applications. This track prepares you for careers in geospatial technology and spatial data analytics.

Jump Start Your Career With an MBA

Our accelerated five-year program lets you earn both your bachelor’s degree in Geographic, Environmental, and Urban Studies and a General MBA, preparing you for management and leadership roles in urban and environmental planning.

During your senior year, you’ll take 6 credits of MBA “swing” courses that count toward both degrees, saving time and tuition. In the fifth year, you’ll complete the remaining MBA courses full-time and graduate with both degrees.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

For more information about the BA in Geographic, Environmental and Urban Studies, advising, or research opportunities, please contact the department or admissions.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

The office of Undergraduate Admissions will guide you every step of the way on your journey from learning about the University and its offerings, to applying for a program through to acceptance and enrollment.

msuadm@montclair.edu
973-655-4444
Susan A. Cole Hall, Suite 100

Earth and Environmental Studies Department

The Department of Earth and Environmental Studies' world-class faculty provide hands-on learning experience in projects supported by NASA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and carried out in study areas including the Alaska Arctic Tundra, Antarctica, and every place in between.

973-655-4448
Center for Environmental and Life Sciences, Room 220

Next Steps

Wherever you learn—on campus or online—Montclair State University offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.

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Montclair Online offers the same nationally recognized faculty, engaging coursework and supportive community as our on-campus classes - designed to fit your life. With multiple start dates each year, you can begin when the time is right for you.

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