Address: West Chester University of Pennsylvania Department of Geography and Planning College of Business and Public Management Fifth Floor Business and Public Management Center 50 Sharpless Street West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2343
Name: Dr. Gary Coutu Position: Department Chair Email:GCoutu@wcupa.edu
Name: Heather MacQueen Position: Department Secretary Email:HMacQueen@wcupa.edu
The Geography Department at West Chester University offers a comprehensive geography
program that empowers students to tackle global challenges head-on. The current curriculum
engages students with hands-on fieldwork, cutting-edge GIS technology, and interdisciplinary
collaboration.
Courses delve into critical topics such as climate change and the impacts of natural
hazards on communities, while fostering an understanding of the relationship between
humans and their environment. Additionally, our curriculum covers essential areas
such as urban growth and social justice, equipping students with knowledge through
hands-on community engagement. We emphasize natural resource management and land preservation,
which are crucial practices in ensuring sustainable futures. Furthermore, our courses
examine the intricate web of human culture, languages, and their interactions, providing
insights into the diverse tapestry of societies. Additionally, we study the geography
of global economies and supply chains, unraveling the complexities of the interconnected
world we live in. Through our courses, students gain comprehensive knowledge in these
fields, preparing them for a future shaped by a deep understanding of these vital
concepts.
If any of these topics are of interest to you—you may just be a geographer! Please
reach out to department chair Dr. Gary Coutu to learn more about our programs.
Undergraduate students can choose between five areas of specialty, or tracks, for
a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geography, as well as minors in four program areas.
General Geography
This track is a well-rounded mix of Geography courses. This includes courses in physical,
environmental, and population geography as well as GIS and spatial analysis. Students
have the flexibility to take courses across the Geography and Planning programs, providing
an overview of the three areas of planning, GIS, and environmental conservation/sustainability.
Environmental Geography is the study of the Earth’s physical systems and the interaction
of humans and the environment. Students study the geography of natural regions and
resources as well as human impact and demand. This track includes studies related
to climate adaptation and resilience, responses to hazards, natural disasters, and
climate change in terms of the natural and human worlds. Other areas include biogeography,
urban forestry, social justice in urban environments, and sustainability. This track
has strong links with the Department’s geospatial technologies and environmental planning
programs.
This track focuses on techniques in spatial analysis, cartography, environmental modeling,
geodatabases, and internet-based GIS. This is the study of spatial data, it’s management,
and analysis. The Department has curriculum related to a range of geospatial technologies.
This includes drones, image analysis and extraction, geospatial coding, modeling,
field data collection, 3D modeling and the integration of virtual and augmented reality
into GIS analysis. Students are able to integrate GIS into their course/degree project
work, internships, and presentations and research.
This track focuses on geospatial business data analytics and visualization. WCU has
one of the only Geography programs housed in a College of Business. Economic and urban
studies courses provide spatial insights into supply chain, market, and economic studies.
Students will learn and apply the fundamentals of geographic and spatial thinking
to demographic and market analysis, linked to our business curriculum. The Department
also has a Real Estate Certificate, exploring economic development.
This track incorporates the courses necessary for certification to teach in Pennsylvania
and states with licensure reciprocity. In addition to geography-focused classes, the
track includes student-teaching, assessment for learning, and other courses offered
by the College of Education and Social Work.
Applied Community and Environmental Sustainability (ACES)
This minor centers on the application of the sustainability principles of economic
vitality, environmental integrity, and social equity to communities and landscapes.
The flexible and applied focus of the program combines well with other majors. Students
learn practical applications of sustainability principles to local, regional, and
global communities and environments.
This minor program builds on a sequence of statistical and computer courses and provides
students with the spatial analysis skills applied to business-oriented data and questions.
It is designed for students in business programs but may be taken by others. Course
work focuses on developing expertise with GIS.
This minor explores the fundamental concepts and skills of geographic information
systems (GIS) as a tool for data management, spatial analysis, and geo-visualization.
Students will explore the foundations of spatial data, database management, modeling,
cloud-based applications, and the production and analysis of cartographic outputs
for research and community engagement.
This minor appeals to students of many majors as they can select courses to complete
this minor that are flexible to their interests and compliment their major.
Graduate students can pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) in Geography along with several
certificate programs and continuing education.
M.S. in Geography
The M.S. in Geography prepares students for a variety of career choices in GIS planning,
environmental work, and population and site analysis. It can also prepare students
for entry into many government agencies such as the EPA, Census Bureau, CIA, and Forestry
Service, as well as private sector jobs in geospatial technologies, engineering, and
planning firms. Another option for students with an M.S. in Geography is entry into
selective Ph.D. programs. The program is tailored to each student's interests, prior
background, and career aspirations. Students who enter the program on a full-time
basis should be able to attain the M.S. degree in two years.
Accelerated programs allow undergraduate students with at least a junior standing
to begin taking graduate coursework towards the completion of a master’s degree in
Geography. This can expedite the time to completion of the master’s degree and decrease
the overall combined credits necessary to complete the undergraduate and graduate
degrees. While pursuing their undergraduate degree, students pay undergraduate tuition
for up to 12 graduate credits. There are nearly 10 accelerated programs available
in geography.
Graduate students can pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) in Geography along with several
certificate programs and continuing education.
Real Estate Certificate
The Certificate in Real Estate is a 12-credit (4 course) Certificate with two required
courses and two electives. The program offers a broad exposure to the practice of
real estate and focused understanding in a chosen area of specialization within the
real estate industry. Upon successful completion of the two required courses you will
qualify to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam. Pennsylvania requires
residential real estate salespersons to pass the Real Estate Salesperson exam to be
licensed.
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
The certificate program in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) consists of four courses.
Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies
have become prominent workplace tools used widely in public and private sectors, and
this certificate program will provide graduate-level instruction on their use.
What jobs can you get with a geography degree? Most graduates from West Chester University
with a geography degree receive job offers before commencement in a range of sectors,
including government agencies, private and non-profit. Here is just a sample of career
paths our graduates have gone on pursue:
Geospatial Analyst
GIS Analyst
Planning Technician
Project Analyst
Research Analyst
Solution Engineer
West Chester University will prepare you for job placement with top-tier companies
and agencies. A brief selection of recent graduate employers include:
