Department of Geography, College of Arts and Science

Solving Tomorrow's Problems Today

The Department of Geography integrates social and natural sciences with the power of geospatial analysis to understand our complex world and to plan a sustainable future. Diverse faculty help students develop cutting-edge knowledge and techniques, apply them in the field, and find impactful careers.

Our Mission and Vision

We prepare students to apply integrative thinking and technical skills to linked social and environmental challenges through a dynamic curriculum, student engagement, and high-impact research.

Our vision is to connect people, places, and environments for a more sustainable world.

Bright Career Prospects, a Growing Alumni Network

The word “geography” might not be in the job title, but the market is hungry for geographical skills in environmental science, urban planning and development, research and project management, and data analysis. Our students’ hard skills in geospatial data and computer-science are in particularly high demand. Graduates find high-quality and purposeful jobs with local, state, or the federal governments; private consulting firms and corporations; or non-profit organizations.

Find the Right Curricular Pathway

Our curricula combine the breadth of a liberal-arts education with practical and highly marketable skills.

BA in Urban and Regional Planning
BA in Geography and Sustainable Development
Geographic Information Science Certificate
Minors in Geography and Urban and Regional Analysis
MA in Geography and Sustainable Development (including a “combined” option to complete BA and MA in four to five years).

These can often be easily combined with other majors/minors across Miami.

Explore your Options

Faculty and Student Research

Our faculty are active and leading scholars who mentor student research in critical areas of science and policy:

Humans and the Environment: climate, biodiversity, natural resources;
Cities and Planning: urbanization-planning, power and place;
Global and Sustainable Development: sustainability, globalization, diversity;
Geospatial Science: Geographical Information Science (GIS), Earth observation data;
Natural Resources Conservation: biodiversity, restoration, perservation;
Culture, Citizenship and Place: interculture competence, global diversity.

student and professor talking at a white board

Experiential Learning

Students learn best by doing, so we help them apply their knowledge and skills through engaging real-world places and people beyond the classroom.

Field Courses: experience diverse places firsthand;
Client-Based Projects: work with communities to gain experience;
Internships: gain professional experience with partner organizations.

Miami University students work to map Oxford Cemetery

Miami GIS students perform a ‘major role’ for Oxford community

Juliana Curtis collects granite samples at a site in Nevada.

Senior Geology student assesses the chemistry and evolution of magma

In Memorium

Dr. Stanley Toops and Dr. Joe Urell

Read about Dr. Toops and Dr. Urell's Career and Accomplishments

Give to the Geography Department

Help us prepare the next generation of leaders in the geographical fields—and our society as a whole. We have numerous scholarships, grants, and programs accepting contributions from donors like you.

Give Now