The Geography and Environmental Planning program positions graduates for fast-growing careers in conservation and natural resources, environmental justice and advocacy, environmental health, environmental regulation and enforcement, recreation, community planning, international development, mapping and geospatial technologies, and many other fields. Students pursue personal and professional interests by following paths in geography or environmental policy and planning. For a full description, visit the UMF catalog (2023-2024).
How do I explore Geography and Environmental Planning at UMF?
There are many ways to explore a major. You could:
- Review the webpage for this major .
- Talk to faculty members in the major. Ask about their career path.
- Choose a class of interest and contact the faculty member to ask about going to one of the classes.
- Talk with students in the major for insights into the courses you will take and professors who will instruct you.
- Enroll in one of the following courses: EPP 131 Conservation and Environment or GEO 103 Peoples and Environment (or any GEO or EPP course).
- Get involved by joining a club or volunteer with an organization.
- Volunteer or intern with an organization that is aligned with this major.
- Talk with a Career Counselor.
What careers can I get with this major?
What jobs have UMF graduates acquired?
City Planner, Project Scientist at Stantec, Director of Code Enforcement, Remote Sensing Technician, GIS Analyst, Community Transformation Grant Coordinator, Field Manager for Environment Maine, Senior Geospatial Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, Laser Scanning Technician, Director of Planning and Code Enforcement, GIS Coordinator, Cartographer, Spatial Data Analyst, Mapping Technician, Remote Sensing Technician, Americorps, Director of Development Services at City of Augusta, Maine State Senate Officer, Geography Professor, Remote Sensing Technician, Property and Casualty Agent, Food Safety Manager, Conservation Geographer, Higher Education, Marketing Assistant at Blue Marble Geographics, and others.
Can I minor in Geography or Environmental Studies? Are there related majors at UMF?
Yes, UMF has minors in Environmental Planning, GIS, Environmental Studies, Geography, Climate Change Solutions, and many other choices. Majors related to Geography and Environmental Planning include Earth and Environmental Science. UMF also offers a GIS Certificate program. Read more about majors and minors.
How do I declare this major?
Contact Dr. Brad Dearden, brad.dearden@maine.edu, 207-778-7439 or Dr. Matt McCourt, matthew.mccourt@maine.edu, 207-778-7044 to discuss your interests. To apply to the major, complete a change of major form (available in Merrill Center or any academic office).
For students interested in the Geography path, they are advised to take GEO 103 Peoples and Environments or GEO 104 Global Transformations sometime in their first year; either of these is a prerequisite for subsequent courses in this pathway of the major.
Students interested in the Environmental Policy and Planning path are advised to take EPP 131 Conservation and Environment sometime in their first year; this is a precursor to subsequent courses in this pathway of the major.