The Department of Earth and Environmental Studies offers a BA in Geography, and minors in Geographic Information Science and Urban Studies. We also house MS programs in Sustainability Science and Earth and Environmental Science, and the university-wide transdisciplinary PhD Program in Environmental Science and Management. Our programs emphasize human interactions with the physical environment, environmental law and policy, environmental economics, environmental management, and urban environments. The degree includes requirements and electives with allied disciplines in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, allowing easy combination with a number of minors. Students in Geography gain practical skills using Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, experience with both field and laboratory methods, and participate in research and internship opportunities.
Geographers are employed by:
- State and federal agencies that oversee natural resource management, conservation and environmental policy
- Municipal agencies that oversee city planning, transportation planning, open space conservation, public health, and environmental health
- Non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting the environment and educating the public about climate change, clean water, energy conservation, food security, and biodiversity and habitat preservation
- Industries that utilize geospatial datasets for environmental planning, design and construction, research, and marketing
- Law firms that specialize in environmental law
- Public and private school districts
- Colleges and universities
Students interested in these career paths are best served by earning a degree in Geography. Montclair State University’s Geography programs integrate environmental and social science and lay the foundation for understanding a variety of modern global and regional issues.
Curriculum and additional information
- Geography, Environmental and Urban Studies (B.A.)
- Geography, Environmental and Urban Studies (B.A.) Combined M.B.A.
- Geography (B.A.)1
- Geography (B.A.), concentration in Environmental Studies1
- Geography (B.A.), concentration in Urban Studies1
- Geography (B.A.), Teacher Certification in Social Studies (Preschool-Grade 12)
- Geographic Information Science Minor
- Urban Studies Minor
Certificates
Graduate
- Environmental Forensics Certificate (ENVF)2
- Geographic Information Science Certificate (GEIS)2
- Water Resource Management Certificate Program (WRMA)2
- Programs discontinued for new students as of Fall 2020, new students will use the B.A. in Geography, Environmental and Urban Studies curriculum
- Programs discontinued for new students as of Fall 2020, these programs are suspended, and no longer accepting new students
Advising
Your program advisor can be found on NEST.
Job Outlook and Salary Information for Geographers
- American Association of Geographers: Jobs and Careers Website
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Geographers
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Environmental Scientists
Professional Resources for Geographers
- American Association of Geographers
- American Geographical Society
- American Meteorological Society
- American Planning Association
- American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
- Association of Landscape Architects
- Ecological Society of America
- National Geographic
- National Society of Professional Surveyors
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- North American Cartographic Information Society
- Society of Woman Geographers
- US Environmental Protection Agency