Bachelor of Arts Honors in Human Geography Degree Program Guide

Are you interested in working closely with faculty mentors in labs and community settings on real-life challenges? Do you want to gain research experience for graduate studies, refine your writing for a professional career, or interact with peers who have similar academic interests and passions? Then the Human Geography Honors program is right for you!

Human geography focuses on the relationships between human societies and the built and natural environments in which they operate. How do we build healthy, sustainable communities? How do our built environments reflect and reinforce our cultural beliefs? How do we prepare for and respond to a changing natural environment? Human geographers seek to answer these important questions in diverse urban and rural contexts.

Academic Requirements for Human Geography Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • Honors in Human Geography requires a minimum of 48 units and a maximum of 54 units at the senior level in HGEO, EAS 221, and approved cross-listed courses
  • Promotion from year to year requires a GPA of at least 3.0 with an average of at least 3.3 in HGEO and approved cross-listed courses
  • Graduation with Honors in Human Geography requires a graduation average of at least 3.0 with an average of at least 3.3 in senior-level HGEO and approved cross-listed courses. Graduation with First Class Honors requires an average of at least 3.7 in all senior-level HGEO and approved cross-listed courses and an average of at least 3.5 on all courses in the final year (last 30 units)
Course Requirements
  • EAS 100 - Planet Earth
  • EAS 221 - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
  • HGEO 100 - Introduction to Human Geography and Planning
  • HGEO 240 - Cities and Urbanism
  • HGEO 250 - Sustainable Development and Environmental Management
  • HGEO 252 - Human Dimensions of Environmental Hazards
  • HGEO 399 - Research Methods in Human Geography
  • HGEO 496 - Undergraduate Thesis
  • HGEO 499 - Human Geography Field School
  • 6 units from your choices of:
    • HGEO 341 - Social and Cultural Geography
    • HGEO 342 - The Spatial Economy
    • HGEO 343 - Geographies of Health and Health Care
  • Approved cross-listed courses:
    • EAS 221 - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
    • PHIL 355 - Environmental Ethics
    • SOC 251 - Population and Society
Additional Notes
  • Approved cross-listed courses:
    • EAS 221 - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
    • PHIL 355 - Environmental Ethics
    • SOC 251 - Population and Society

Academic Requirements for Human Geography Combined Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • A Combined Honors degree in Human Geography and another discipline requires a minimum of 36 units at the senior level in HGEO and approved cross-listed courses and a minimum of 36 units in the other discipline
Course Requirements
  • EAS 100 - Planet Earth
  • HGEO 100 - Introduction to Human Geography and Planning
  • HGEO 399 - Research Methods in Human Geography
  • HGEO 496 - Undergraduate Thesis
  • HGEO 499 - Human Geography Field School
  • 9 units from your choices of:
    • EAS 221 - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
    • HGEO 240 - Cities and Urbanism
    • HGEO 250 - Sustainable Development and Environmental Management
    • HGEO 252 - Human Dimensions of Environmental Hazards
  • 6 units from your choices of:
    • HGEO 341 - Social and Cultural Geography
    • HGEO 342 - The Spatial Economy
    • HGEO 343 - Geographies of Health and Health Care
  • Approved cross-listed courses:
    • EAS 221 - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
    • PHIL 355 - Environmental Ethics
    • SOC 251 - Population and Society
Additional Notes
  • With the permission of the Honors Advisors, students pursuing Combined Honors in Human Geography may write an honors research project that is supervised jointly by both disciplines and in which the content integrates both disciplines. Students will register in INT D 520 (6 units) instead of HGEO 496
  • In a Combined Honors program, students are required to meet the promotion and graduation standards of each discipline

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

What kinds of courses can Human Geography Honors students take?

  • HGEO 100 - Introduction to Human Geography and Planning
  • HGEO 240 - Cities and Urbanism
  • HGEO 250 - Sustainable Development and Environmental Management
  • HGEO 341 - Social and Cultural Geography
  • HGEO 342 - The Spatial Economy
  • HGEO 343 - Geographies of Health and Health Care
  • HGEO 450 - Resource Management and Environmental Policy
  • HGEO 452 - Human Dimensions of Environmental Change
  • HGEO 470 - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Social Science
  • HGEO 496 - Undergraduate Thesis

What kinds of careers can you pursue with a Human Geography Honors degree?

There are many different fields and career paths that students can pursue with a Human Geography Honors degree. From government and public policy to community engagement, graduates are equipped with critical thinking, analytical and interpersonal skills to name a few, that are assets in today’s job market. Although there is a list of career options below, it is important to understand that careers are not linear. Intentionally engaging in a variety of activities and following your curiosities will open new opportunities that you might not have expected. To learn more about how you can put your Arts degree to work, stop by the HUB Career Centre (8917 HUB Mall) for more information.

  • Policy Analyst
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Analyst
  • Economic Development Officer
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Conservation Officer
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Educator (Professor, Secondary or Primary)
  • Public Engagement Specialist
  • Event Planner
  • Survey Administrator
  • Community Development Officer
  • Housing Coordinator
  • Social Researcher
  • Cultural Resource Manager
  • +More!

Interested in gaining work experience related to your career goals? If so, apply to Arts Work Experience to gain full-time, PAID, work experience before you graduate!

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