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Online Geography Degree Programs

Online geography degree grads study the world's topographyGeography is more than memorizing places on a map. During online geography degrees, students research human settlements, geographical features, and spatial patterns too grand to be seen by the human eye.

Combining math, humanities, science, and technology, these degrees prepare grads for interesting careers. With an online geography degree program, students can enter a variety of fields, including:

  • Geographer: Study the Earth and its features, inhabitants, and political borders. Studies include both physical aspects and human activities.
  • Cartographer: Collect geographic information and create map-based visual data, such as rainfall and moving patterns.
  • Photogrammetrists: Use aerial and satellite imaging to complete maps and spatial information.
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Online Geography Degrees: Different Levels of Education

Certificate

With a certificate program, people with a high school diploma can enter a geography career. These online geography degree programs lead to careers working with geographic systems. Graduates can work with geophysical data, mapping, and geospatial information.

Certificates can be completed online and usually focus on a technical aspect of geography. For example, Ferris State University offers an online certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It explores data concepts, algorithms, database management, and digital information. There is also the Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies from the University of Louisville. The program includes courses on remote sensing, programming for geographic systems, web mapping, and spatial statistics.

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Associate

An associate’s degree in geography requires 60 credit hours or more. It can be completed over two to three years if studying full-time. These degrees are usually technical, covering topics like GIS and geospatial technology.

A mapping technician can land a job with a high school diploma, but an associate’s degree increases job options. College graduates can also enjoy enhanced salary potential.

Associate programs can be completed 100% online and only require a high school diploma or GED to enroll. Accredited online geography degrees range in price from about $6,500 to $21,000. Great Basin College offers the lowest tuition in our database with its degree in Land Surveying / Geomatics.

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Bachelor

Students aspiring to work as geographers, mapmakers, or photogrammetrists need a bachelor’s degree for most jobs. Some positions require graduate education, such as a master’s or doctorate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that geographers working for the federal government can get by with a bachelor’s degree. In the US, 63% of all geographers work for the federal government. However, those working in the public sector will need a master’s or doctorate.

These online geography degrees offer various focus areas. For example, the Geosciences degree from Mississippi State University has a concentration in Broadcast and Operational Meteorology. This degree is intended for aspiring weather forecasters.

A bachelor’s level online geography degree requires four to five years of study and at least 120 credit hours. The Mississippi State degree, for example, requires 124 credit hours. These degrees can be completed entirely online.

Among accredited online geography programs, the University of Florida offers the most budget-friendly choice. Its Bachelor of Arts in Geography will cost in-state students around $15,500 in tuition. Other online programs can cost up to $86,000, so it is vital to shop around. Use the resources on GetEducated.com to make the best choice for both your finances and career goals.

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Bachelor Completion

A bachelor completion degree is intended for graduates of associate’s programs who want to to finish a bachelor’s. Students can cut the time commitment in half by applying their previously earned credits to a bachelor’s. Instead of needing four or five years to complete an online geography degree, these programs allow completion in two or three. They can lead to any of the bachelor-level occupations, including geographer or cartographer.

These online geography degree programs are available in various concentrations and can be completed entirely remote. Focus areas include geospatial analysis and geomatics. Students can also choose broad-based general geography programs online. Courses may cover satellite imagery, remote sensing, and GIS principles.

Costs for these online geography degrees will depend in part on how many credits you are able to transfer. The more credits you can apply, the fewer classes you will need to finish your degree, and the less money you will spend. Check with the school’s admissions department to find out their transfer policy and per-credit tuition rate.

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Graduate Certificate

A graduate certificate can help geography pros enhance their careers and meet continuing education requirements. They require a bachelor’s degree for admission and can be completed online. Students will focus on narrow topics within the geographic field. Graduate certificates can deliver an education in GIS, digital mapping, geospatial intelligence analytics, and spatial analysis, among other topics.

These online geography degree programs can usually be completed in less than a year. The GIS certificate from the University of Illinois-Springfield, for instance, requires 12 credit hours divided among three courses. The GIS / Geospatial Analysis & Programming option from Ohio University is also 12 credit hours. The Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping from the University of Kentucky is 11 credits.

Master’s

A master’s degree can open more opportunities for geographers and cartographers. These online geography degrees are usually required for geographers who work outside of the federal government. Academic services, state governments, and technical institutions will likely require a master’s degree.

A master’s level online geography degree is also the typical entry-level degree for an urban and regional planner. This career requires a degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), however. Online degrees are not accredited by this group.

Master’s programs require a bachelor’s degree before enrollment. They can be completed 100% online and require about 30 credit hours. The master’s in International Relations / Regions of the World from Norwich University requires 33 credits. It can be completed in 18 to 24 months. The Master of GIS from Kent State University requires 30 credits.

For an accredited master’s in geography online, you can expect to spend between $14,300 and $32,500 in tuition. The lowest-priced option in our database is the Master of Arts in Geography from Marshall University.

Accreditation for Online Geography Degrees

Accreditation, the process of approving an online geography degree program or school, is an important part of education. Accreditation is the same no matter whether the degree is earned online or on campus. Entire schools receive institutional accreditation, which is granted by national or regional groups. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) are two well-known regional groups. Students attending regionally-accredited schools have greater access to loans and grants. Credits earned from regionally-accredited institutions are also more likely to transfer to other schools.

Degrees can also have programmatic accreditation. This is a system that allows groups to review a sole program. However, there is no programmatic accreditation precisely for geography degrees. All the schools in our database have institutional accreditation. However, online geography degrees do not hold programmatic accreditation. Since no programmatic approval exists for these degrees, students should verify that their school of choice has regional institutional accreditation.

Can an Online Geography Degree Meet Licensing or Certification Requirements?

Geography professionals rarely need licenses. The exceptions are cartographers and photogrammetrists, which require licensing in some states.

The GIS Certification Institute allows testing after the completion of a bachelor or higher-level program from an accredited school. All the degrees in the GetEducated database come from accredited institutions. As such, they will qualify students for certification and licenses. In addition to education, experience is often required before becoming certified. Those with less college education are more likely to need more work experience.

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Licensure & Certification After an Online Geography Degree

Licensing requirements for geography, cartography, photogrammetry, and GIS-related careers can be complex. Minor details in what you do, where you do it, and who you do it for can change the licensing requirement.

Geographers have no licensing requirements. Still, industry approval from groups like the GIS Certification Institute or the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing can demonstrate professional skills and help land jobs.

Some states require cartographers and photogrammetrists to be licensed. According to the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), 17 states have licensing requirements for GIS services. Many state licenses are connected to land surveying, which is related to but not the same as geography.

Credentials and licensing start with a formal education and work experience. Then, employees can apply for credentials. Applicants who meet the requirements must pass a test before the license or credential is granted.

The GIS Certification Institute can help us understand the typical process for completing a credential. This is how to become a Certified GIS Professional:

  1. Complete an application: Applicants must possess a combination of education and experience. Based on a point system, it requires more experience for those with less education. Those with advanced degrees require less experience.
  2. Pay the fees: The fee for a portfolio review is $100. The exam fee is $250.
  3. Complete the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam: The exam tests your knowledge in subjects like conceptual foundations, data fundamentals, and database design. Passing score is a scaled 73, and 60% of applicants pass the test.
  4. Wait for results: The GIS Certification Institute will only provide a pass/fail report. They will not provide scores. Once you pass, you can add the GIS Professional credential to your resume.

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Career Outlook with a Geography Degree Online

The geography profession is expected to hold steady with no growth between 2021 and 2031. The stagnant growth is expected due to budget constraints in the federal government, which employs 63% of geographers. In comparison, the overall job market is expected to grow by about 5% over the next 10 years. There are around 1,600 geographers in the United States. This is a very small job field compared to other industries.

Mapmakers and photogrammetrists will fare better, growing by 3% according to the BLS. This is still below the national average for all occupations, however. Advancements in technology to enhance worker production will reduce demand for this career. The BLS expects there to be 13,700 cartographers and photogrammetrists by 2031.

It appears that Maryland is a popular destination for geographers. This state not only has the most geographers, it also has the highest concentration of these professionals. With 0.1 geographers per 1,000 jobs, the state more than doubles second-place Colorado, which has 0.04 per 1,000. Maryland’s geographers are also well paid. The state is #2 for median salary with $93,010. Massachusetts tops this list with a median income of $95,270 for its geographers.

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Salary Potential with an Online Geography Degree

While the growth outlook for geography-based careers is modest at best, salaries remain strong. Geography-based professions have median incomes far higher than the national median.

While the average worker earns $45,760, geographers have a median salary of $85,220. Some positions may require a doctorate or master’s, but this is an impressive number since most geographers only need a bachelor’s level online geography degree.

Mapmakers and photogrammetrists have a median income of $63,900. The top 10% earn over $103,000. Those working for the federal government have a median income of $93,560.

Even diploma-level jobs in this field can provide strong incomes. Surveying and mapping technicians are only required to have a high school diploma. Some may have a post-secondary education in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Despite the light education requirements, they have a median income of $46,910, about $1,000 more than the national median.

The best area for geographers, income-wise, is Washington D.C., where the median salary is $104,560. This is likely due to the large number of geographers employed by the federal government.

Start Mapping Your Future with an Online Geography Degree Program

From online certificates to master’s degrees, these online geography degree programs can help you create the future you deserve. Visit GetEducated.com today and submit your information. We will provide the information and resources you need to select the perfect online geography degree for your budget, schedule, and career goals.

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