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Geography Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate work in geography has been offered at The Ohio State University since the early 1920s. Currently, the department offers programs leading to an MA or a PhD. At both levels, an emphasis is placed on two of the requirements for present day geographers - theoretical understanding and methodological skills. Within the profession, the department is known for its theoretical and empirical approaches in four specialty areas:

• Environment and Society
• Atmospheric and Climatic Studies
• GIS and Spatial Analysis
• Urban, Regional and Global Studies

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Geography (MA, PhD)

The Department of Geography offers graduate programs with specialties in environment and society; atmospheric and climatic studies; GIS and spatial analysis; and urban, regional and global studies. The program is a leader in placement of tenure-track faculty in significant positions both in the U.S. and internationally.

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Geography Department

Geography is the study of the Earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live.

Geography students are interested in the spatial patterns observed on Earth. Bridging the natural and social sciences, geographers study how people interact with the environment, with emphasis on critical topics such as environmental sustainability, equity and social justice, climate change, globalization, and gender and development.

• Undergraduate Majors
• Graduate Degrees
• Faculty Research Areas

Exploring Earth's Peoples, Places and Environments

Geography faculty are productive scholars and excellent teachers committed to their students. Teaching and research interests include environment and society, globalization and development, landforms, ecological and atmospheric systems, and geospatial techniques such as GIS and remote sensing.

Regional specializations include Africa, East Asia, Latin America, and Northern Europe, with six faculty conducting research overseas.

About Geography Research

Geography Faculty Research Areas

Geography Research Facilities

Research Areas We Focus On

• Environmental and Social Justice Using nature-society frameworks and spatial analysis to understand how inequality and inequity are built into everyday life.
• Sustainability and Planning Examining the strategies for balancing environmental quality, economic development, and social equity.
• Globalization and Development Exploring global issues and other parts of the world to better understand our own in an increasingly globalizing world.
• Earth's Physical Systems Examining atmospheric, ecological, and landform systems, how they change through time, and how they interact with each other.
• Earth Observation and GIS Revolutionizing how we explore the geography of places, cultures, environments and processes.
• Cities, Places and Regions Understanding the nature of places and delimiting regions, analyzing spatial differentiation across the Earth’s surface.

Geography Student Experiences — Here and Abroad

Explore urban environments in Scotland or forecast the weather in the Scalia Lab. Just a few ways to get hands-on experience in geography.

Study City and Environment in Edinburgh, Scotland

In one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities, students can spend four weeks studying urban history and sustainability in Edinburgh, Scotland. Students can earn OHIO credits on this faculty-led program.

Take Advantage of a Geography Internship

Most geography students complete at least one internship to get experience in the field and build up their resume with real-world work. You can also earn credits through GEOG 4910 Internship.

Conduct Undergraduate Research with a Professor

Whichever undergraduate major you choose, there are plenty of opportunities to earn course credit for individualized or directed research under supervision of a faculty member.  

Forecast the Weather for Southeastern Ohio at the Scalia Lab

The Scalia Lab weather service gives students hands-on forecasting experience. Students provide several forecasts per day tailored to the people living in southeastern Ohio.

Geography Students Gain Summer Internship Experience

Library of congress great reads selects dr. tim anderson's book, dr. ryan fogt named new antarctic environments editor, careers with a geography degree.

Our diverse offering of majors prepares students for a variety of career paths, including environmental planning, international and community development, foreign service, cultural and historic preservation, management of geographic information systems, and more. 

Our graduates are employed with the National Weather Service, local, state, or federal governments; city and regional planning agencies; private business and non-profit organizations; the U.S. Air Force weather service, and many more. Many go on to graduate school or law school.

Geography Careers and Internships

Alumni Engagement & Giving Opportunities

Alumni involvement drives innovation and impact in the Geography Department for both students and faculty. Explore the areas of highest need for our department, such as offering internship or job opportunities to students, speaking to students about career paths (in person, or via Zoom), and supporting the department with a financial gift.

Geography Giving Opportunities

Geography News

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An Internship with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

If you have a passion for planning, civil engineering or public service, there may be an internship waiting for you at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).

Ohio University recognized as state’s top ‘Green School’ by Princeton Review for 2025

OHIO is ranked among the Top 50 Green Schools nationally, showcasing its commitment to sustainability practices, outstanding academic programs and healthy quality of life.

Science Café presents Brian Schoen, Tim Anderson on Nov. 6

Ohio University’s Science Café/Café Conversations will present OHIO faculty members Brian Schoen and Tim Anderson discussing “Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond,” on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Geography Events

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