The Department of Earth and Environmental Studies offers a BA in Geography, minors in Geographic Information Science and Urban Studies, and graduate certificates in Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing, Water Resource Management, and Environmental Forensics. We also house 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, and environmental management. The Urban Studies concentration takes advantage of the NJ/NY metropolitan setting and the wealth of social, political, cultural, economic, and environmental interactions occurring within our area as well as integrating faculty scholarship expertise in Africa, Latin America, China, India, and Vietnam. Student in Geography gain practical skills using Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, experience with both field and laboratory techniques, 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
- BA in Geographic, Environmental, and Urban Studies – Beginning Fall 2020
- BA in Geography (GEOG)
- BA in Geography with concentration in Environmental Studies (GEEN) – No Longer Accepting Students
- BA in Geography with concentration in Urban Studies (GEUR) – No Longer Accepting Students
- BA in Geography with P-12 Teacher Certification in Social Studies (GGED)
- Minor in Urban Studies (URST)
- Minor in Geographic Information Science (GEIS)
- Geographic Information Science Certificate (GEIS)
- Environmental Forensics Certificate (ENVF)
- Geographic Information Science Certificate (GEIS)
- Water Resource Management Certificate Program (WRMA)
- PhD Program in Environmental Science and Management
| If your last name begins with | Advisor | Room (CELS) | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| A – K and a | Dr. Greg Pope | 420 | 973‑655‑7385 |
| L – Z | Dr. Pankaj Lal | 426 | 973‑655‑3137 |
| MS in Sustainability Science | Dr. Robert Taylor | 414 | 973‑655‑4129 |
| PhD in Environmental Science and Management | Dr. Mark Chopping | 312 | 973‑655‑7384 |
Job Outlook and Salary Information for Geographers
- American Association of Geographers: Jobs and Careers Website
- American Association of Geographers: Salary Data for Geographers
- 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