Geography 4+1
Earn two degrees in five years – saving you money, and fast-tracking your career in a growing industry
UNI's new Geography 4+1 program provides our undergraduate majors, alongside technical or business specialists, K-12 educators, urban planners and city, county and state government geotechnical specialists, the opportunity to gain a broad strategic understanding of issues facing geospatial managers in today's turbulent economic environment with a graduate experience.
Over the past decade, the demand for professionals with a master's level education in geospatial analytical techniques has grown exponentially within local, state, national and international business communities. Today, in the U.S.A. alone, geospatial technology and its application sector is a $30 billion/year business and is growing at a staggering 100% annually. The U.S. Department of Labor calls geospatial technology one of three top emerging technologies, along with nanotechnology and biotechnology.
Recent B.A. in Geography / B.S. in Geographic Information Science graduates are obtaining jobs with starting salaries in-excess of $60,000/year; however, median geography salaries (across Iowa and the U.S.) are in-excess of $85,000/year with graduate degrees.
Apply today to kickstart your future in a rewarding and growing field!
One
& Only
University of Northern Iowa offers the Geography 4+1 degree in the State of Iowa
High-Quality
Standards
This 4+1 program is designed to meet the standards identified within Road Map for 21st Century Geography Education, a collaboration between the Association of American Geographers, the National Geographic Society, the National Council for Geographic Education, the American Geographical Society, and funded by NSF.
Fast-Track
Your Education
Through our condensed program, students can enter the high-demand geospatial technology with a graduate geography degree field faster, saving them time and money.
Want to learn more?
Fill out your information here to receive communication about getting started with a Geography major at UNI.
Contact us directly at:
Department of Geography
205 ITTC
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0406
Phone: 319-273-2772
Email: mark.welford@uni.edu
How does the program work?
// Students will complete a total of five years at UNI:
Where they will meet UNI’s liberal arts core requirements, Department of Geography foundational courses, and the M.A. program requirements.
// Starting in their fourth year:
Students will start taking graduate classes, and complete their 4+1 through this accelerated program by the end of their fifth year at UNI.
// Students will be awarded:
Their B.A. in Geography or B.S. in Geographic Information Science at the end of their senior year, and then will earn their M.A. in Geography in year 5.
Plan of Study
YEAR 1 – FALL
Undergraduate Courses
UNIFI or University Electives
TOTAL HOURS: 15
YEAR 1 – SPRING
Undergraduate Courses
GEOG 1120 Peoples, Cultures, and Environments (3 hours)
GEOG 1210 Planet Earth (3 hours)
UNIFI or University Electives (9 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
YEAR 2 – FALL
Undergraduate Courses
UNIFI or University Electives (12 hours)
GEOG 1110 Global Geography (3 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
YEAR 2 – SPRING
Undergraduate Courses
UNIFI or University Electives (12 hours)
GEOG BA/BS Required or Electives (3 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
YEAR 3 – FALL
Undergraduate Courses
UNIFI or University Electives (12 hours)
GEOG BA/BS Required or Electives (3 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
YEAR 3 – SPRING
Undergraduate Courses
GEOG BA/BS Required or Electives (15 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
- Student should apply to Geography MA program to be admitted in YEAR 5 – FALL
YEAR 4 – FALL
Undergraduate / Graduate Courses
GEOG BA/BS Required or Electives (9 hours)
Skills Elective 5000 courses or Content Elective (6 shared hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
- Student must be considered "graduate non-degree seeking" (NOT "graduate pre- or degree seeking)"
- Tuition will be charged at the undergraduate rate
YEAR 4 – SPRING
Undergraduate / Graduate Courses
GEOG BA/BS Required or Electives (9 hours)
Skills Elective 5000 courses or Content Elective (6 shared hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 15
- Student must be considered "graduate non-degree seeking" (NOT "graduate pre- or degree seeking)"
- Student must be enrolled in at least 6 hours (half time) in undergraduate credits in this semester and would receive undergraduate financial aid.
- Tuition will be charged at the undergraduate rate
Student graduates with Bachelor of Arts in Geography or Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science.
YEAR 5 - FALL
Graduate Courses
GEOG 6010 Geographic Research Methods (3 hours – 8 weeks)
GEOG 6550 History of Geographic Thought (3 hours – 8 weeks)
Skills Elective GEOG 5310 or GEOG 5360 (3 hours)
- OR - Content Elective (3 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 9
YEAR 5 - FALL
Graduate Courses
GEOG 5570 Sustainability and Geographic Leadership (3 hours)
GEOG 6598 Directed Research Project (6 hours)
- OR - Skills Elective GEOG 5380 or GEOG 5778 (3 hours)
Content Elective (3 hours)
TOTAL HOURS: 9