Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Geography and Planning for its undergraduate program is multi-faceted. The mission is to:

  • produce geographers conceptually prepared and technically skilled for spatial analysis and problem-solving;
  • provide majors with the basic background of the discipline;
  • provide the opportunity to specialize in an area of their interest such as in geographic analysis and planning; and
  • link undergraduate programs to the surrounding community for professional and graduate-level training, and as a resource for planning, consulting, and research needs of the community.

The mission of the Department of Geography and Planning for its Master of Science graduate program is to:

  • advance conceptual knowledge of the discipline of Geography;
  • develop skills and expertise for spatial analysis and problem-solving in areas such as land use planning and management, conservation of resources, demographic change, and location of commerce and industry;
  • link graduate programs to the surrounding community for professional training and as a resource for planning, consulting, and research needs of the community;
  • prepare students for entrance into Ph.D. programs in geography; and
  • prepare students for entrance into social studies education.

Learning Goals

Bachelor of Science

  1. Planning Knowledge: Students will have broad knowledge in the professional planning discipline, including an understanding of the purpose and meaning of planning, planning law, planning theory, and the history of the planning profession.
  2. Technical Skills: Students will demonstrate proficiency in technical skills related to planning analysis and problem solving, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, written, oral and graphic communication, plan creation and implementation, and leadership.
  3. Ethical Reasoning: Students will understand the public and private nature of planning and the implications of planning decisions in both domains. The program will train students to understand the “public interest” and to balance the needs of the public with the rights and interests of private individuals and businesses. Students will demonstrate an ability to make decisions based on sound knowledge and guided by the principles expressed in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Code of Ethics.

Bachelor of Arts

  1. Basic knowledge of the discipline of Geography: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of place, space, scale, and location.
  2. Technical skills: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of geographic analysis and problem-solving.
  3. Information literacy: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct geographic research.
  4. Communication skills: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to communicate effectively in oral and written formats appropriate for professional audiences.

Master of Science Geography

  1. Advanced knowledge of discipline of Geography: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of place, space, scale, and location.
  2. Technical skills: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of geographic analysis and problem-solving.
  3. Information literacy: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct geographic research.
  4. Communication skills: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to communicate effectively in oral and written formats appropriate for professional audiences.

Master of Urban & Regional Planning

  1. Aligned with standards of the Planning Accreditation Board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.
  2. Courses in Geospatial data analysis, visualization, and communication.
  3. Advanced knowledge in sustainable land development processes and practices.
  4. Information literacy: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of planning, research, and analysis to address community needs.

Certificate in Urban & Regional Planning

  1. Advanced knowledge of planning: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of place, design alternatives and impacts, and connectivity.
  2. Technical skills: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of regional planning problem-solving.
  3. Information literacy: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of planning, research, and analysis to address community needs.

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

  1.  Advanced knowledge of the application of geographic information systems: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of scale, map projections, and coordinate systems.
  2. Technical skills: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of geographic analysis and problem-solving.
  3. Information literacy: students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct research using geographic information systems.