Department of Geography

The overall mission of the Department of Geography is to conduct theoretical and applied geographic research in a dynamic and responsive manner that educates and inspires students to become critical and committed citizens who contribute to solutions for our planet.

Department head: Brian King
Associate Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Bronwen Powell
Associate Head of Undergraduate Programs: Chris Fowler
Associate Head of Resident Graduate Programs: Trevor Birkenholtz
Director of Online Geospatial Education: Anthony Robinson
Degrees offered: B.S., B.A., M.S., M.GIS, Ph.D., minors, and certificates
Website: https://geog.psu.edu

Programs Offered

Undergraduate Programs

B.A. / B.S. in Geography

Certificate programs

Minors

Graduate Programs

M.S. / Ph.D. in Geography
M.S. in Geographic Information Systems - MGIS (Online)
M.P.S. in Homeland Security, Geospatial Intelligence Option (Online)
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (Online)
Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence Analytics (Online)
Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development (Online)
Certificate in Remote Sensing and Earth Observation (Online)

Geography News

Graduate student Harman Singh mentors undergraduates through the Department of Geography's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Connection (UROC) program

Graduate student mentorship helps undergraduates build research skills
05/20/2025

When Harman Singh began graduate school at Penn State, she didn’t just bring research interests, she brought experience. As an undergraduate, Singh had participated in the Department of Geography’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Connection (UROC) program, where graduate students mentor undergraduates through hands-on research. Now a doctoral student in geography, Singh has come full circle, serving as UROC’s graduate coordinator and continuing to mentor students herself.

Cristina Elena Mihalache presents her research poster at the American Association of Geographers annual meeting on Wednesday, March 26, in Detroit, Michigan.

Romanian Fulbright scholar reflects on experience with Department of Geography
05/14/2025

Cristina Elena Mihalache, a Fulbright Scholar from Romania, has spent the past eight months with the Penn State Department of Geography advancing her research in geospatial sciences and remote sensing.

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- April 28
04/28/2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 20 Penn Staters, including one from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.

Geography Coffee Hour to feature Jessica Omukuti on inclusive Net Zero
04/21/2025

The Penn State Department of Geography will conclude its spring 2025 Coffee Hour lecture series with a talk by Jessica Omukuti, senior research fellow at the University of Oxford’s Institute for Science, Innovation and Society and Oxford Net Zero.

Geography and ecology professor receives Kopp International Achievement Award
04/14/2025

Erica Smithwick, distinguished professor of geography and ecology in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, is the recipient of the 2025 W. LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award.

Lion shrine on the Penn State University Park campus.

17 academic unit leads complete 2025 Excellence in Academic Leadership program
04/11/2025

A group of 17 academic leaders from across Penn State recently completed the 2025 Excellence in Academic Leadership (EAL) program — an experience designed to strengthen leadership effectiveness and support ongoing professional growth.

Patricia Ehrkamp, professor at the University of Kentucky

Patricia Ehrkamp to deliver annual Miller Lecture on geopolitics and disability
04/09/2025

Patricia Ehrkamp, professor of geography and College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor at the University of Kentucky, will deliver the E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Endowed Lecture at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11.

Earth and Mineral Sciences faculty and students honored at college's awards ceremony
04/08/2025

Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized exceptional students and faculty for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its annual Wilson Awards Celebration, held on March 30.

Daniela Aiello, assistant professor of geography

'Stories from the Field' returns with spring 2025 session on housing inequality
04/02/2025

Penn State’s “Stories from the Field” conversation series is returning this spring with a brand-new session focused on research examining housing inequality in North America.

The April Climate Conversations Café will welcome Brianna Craft, a climate justice researcher and author, for a presentation called "Storytelling for Climate Justice."

Climate justice researcher, author to speak at April Climate Conversation Café
03/31/2025

The April Climate Conversations Café will host Brianna Craft, a climate justice researcher and author, for a discussion on diplomacy, climate-change negotiations and storytelling.

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