While most people think of geography as naming places on Jeopardy!, a degree in Geography prepares you for much more. The fields of urban planning, environmental, sustainability, social science teaching, and Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) applications all come under the purview of a professional geographer. Students receive a holistic, liberal education that integrates the study of human activity and the natural environment. Founded in 1969, Central Connecticut State University has the largest Geography Department of any institution of higher education in New England. Our courses and research examine interaction within and between the biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. In addition to lecture oriented courses, we also provide field-oriented, applied, and hands-on experiences throughout Connecticut and in far away lands. We strive to provide our students with a friendly, well-supported learning environment that trains them to be top scientists as well as citizens of the world.
Undergraduate Programs
The CCSU Department of Geography attracts approximately 2,300 undergraduate students to its courses every year, and has approximately 220 undergraduate majors in Geography. The Geography Department offers BA and BS degrees in Geography with the following specializations:
Bachelor of Arts
- Environmental Geography & Sustainability
- General/Regional Geography
- Geographic Information Science
- Planning
- Tourism
Bachelor of Science
- General/Regional Geography, B.S.
(Certifiable for Elementary Education)
Minors
The Geography Department also offers several minors, as follows:
- Environmental Geography & Sustainability
- Geography
- Geography with Specialization in Planning
- Geographic Information Sciences
- Tourism
- Social Studies (offered in conjunction with other departments)
Graduate Programs
The Department of Geography began its graduate program in 1964. There are currently about 50 graduate students enrolled in the graduate program. The MS program in Geography was founded in 1962, and the MS in Geography with a specialization in Global Sustainability program began in 2010. The first MS in Geography was awarded during the 1967 academic year, and the first MS in Geography with a specialization in Global Sustainability was awarded in 2012.
The Geography Department offers an MS in Geography with the following degree options:
- General Program
- Specialization in Global Sustainability
The master's program in Geography is based on students' interests and faculty expertise. Each graduate student's planned program of study is custom-designed to provide the best possible preparation for the career or future PhD study chosen by the student. Students enrolled in the M.S. in Geography program may emphasize any of the following areas:
- Environmental studies
- Cultural and world regional geography
- Urban and regional planning
- Computer mapping or geographic information systems
- Travel and tourism