Department of Geography, Radford University

The Geography Department offers several concentrations and areas of study. The documents linked below will provide more information on each area.

For additional information about each of our concentrations, please continue reading below. Please note that these concentrations as well as their criteria may change without prior notice.

General- A good geographer is the epitome of a good generalist. The General Concentration is designed for the student who wants a broad but structured overview of geography. It also allows for the development of competency in a particular region, in a topical sub-discipline, or in geographic techniques. The concentration is appropriate for students simply curious about the world or those wishing the flexibility to pursue either a variety of careers or a graduate degree in geography, or, perhaps, wanting to join the Peace Corps.

After completing the core courses, each student designs a coherent and focused program in studies in consultation with is/her advisor.

Environmental- The environmental studies concentration allows students to direct the holistic approach and analytical skills of geography toward an understanding of contemporary environmental problems. The program's goal is to prepare students to communicate intelligently with both natural scientists and social scientists and to be sensitive to the ecological, economic, cultural, and political issues which must be addressed when conserving, managing, or restoring a healthy, productive environment for humans and all other forms of life.

The concentration has a built-in flexibility that encourages students to design their own program of study and to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for them to contribute as environmental professionals in their chosen area of interest. Many students obtain minors in economics, political science, anthropology, biology, geology, media studies, or some other discipline while in pursuit of their area of interest expertise.

The individualized nature of the concentration lies in 18 hours of upper division classes in a declared Area of Interest. These courses may be selected from disciplines other than geography, although they must include at least one geographic techniques course. A semester of either environmental economics or natural resource economics is also mandatory.

Internships or volunteer work are strongly recommended; elective credits may be earned in a pre-approved internship.

Planning- Planners strive to direct development in environmentally and economically sustainable ways. The Planning Concentration emphasizes the development of skills and knowledge related to land use, regional and town planning. It is most successfully pursued in combination with either the technical or environmental studies concentrations. Project-oriented courses are a hallmark of the curriculum.

Technical- The Technical Concentration develops student skills in map making, maintenance of spatial databases, geographic information systems (GIS), and analysis and interpretation of spatial relationships. Mapping and analyses of spatial relationships rely heavily on computer applications. Our program reflects this trend, and we maintain state-of-the-art hardware and software. You can visit our laboratory facilities and software.

The focus of the Technical Concentration is the development of technical skills and computer applications. However, the required courses ensure that students acquire a broad knowledge base encompassing the geographic perspective. A built-in flexibility in the Technical Concentration also allows the students to design their course of study and develop minors in other disciplines or double concentrations within the Department of Geography. Graduates frequently complete both the Technical Concentration and the Planning Concentration. Students develop minors most commonly in Geology, Technical Writing, and Computer Science

Part time employment opportunities may exist for qualified students. For example, since 1997, under contract with the Virginia Division of Minerals, students in Radford's Geography Department have been digitizing the state's geologic maps.

Internships are strongly recommended.

Job opportunities for students graduating with a Technical Concentration are plentiful and varied. Graduates are employed in local and district planning agencies, federal and state agencies, and assorted businesses ranging from engineering to finance.