Geography has long been at the center of interdisciplinary learning about people and environments at Miami University. The Great Seal (1826) features a globe and Miami’s first geography program was founded in 1906. Today, the Department of Geography and its faculty/staff are leaders in connecting social and natural sciences through a big-picture, geospatial perspective. Our dynamic curriculum, student engagement, and high-impact research apply integrative thinking and specialized skills to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.

Majors in Urban and Regional Planning and/or Geography and Sustainable Development build on geographical foundations with innovative concepts and techniques, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These interdisciplinary curricula – like our minors and GISci Certificate – can be easily taken alongside other programs. Our Master of Arts in Geography and Sustainable Development emphasizes independent inquiry guided by one-on-one faculty mentorship, and can be combined with any BA/BS in four or five years. 

Geography faculty are active and leading scholars helping to advance theory and applications in key areas like environmental change, cities and planning, global/sustainable development, and geospatial science. And while we enjoy Shideler Hall’s newly-renovated classrooms and labs, we emphasize field-based research and service-learning projects to help students gain real-world experience while making a difference for real communities. 

Don’t take our word for it. The success of our alumni proves the value of geographical thinking and techniques to finding purposeful careers and enriching lives. Join us as we explore the world and work to make it a better, more sustainable place.

 Marcia England,

Geography Department Chair