Primary Contact

Chelsea Smith - Evans Liberal Arts 136
Phone 512.245.1852 / Email

Major Faculty / Advisors

Dr. Brock Brown, ELA 370 / Phone 512.245.3202 / Email

Major Description

Geography and social studies education is experiencing a resurgence of interest throughout the United States. Publication of Geography for Life: The National Standards in 1994 culminated over a decade of work by establishing an agenda for geographic education.

Secondary Social Studies Teaching Certification Checklist

Geography major: History minor and third field Political Science ~ Total hours 133
Geography major: Political Science minor and third field History ~ Total hours 133

Pre-Major Requirements

Students who meet the university admission requirements enter the Department of Geography’s undergraduate program as pre-majors. To become a major in geography, students must:

1. Complete GEO 1309 and/or GEO 1310, GEO 2410 & GEO 3301 with a minimum grade of C for each course.
2. Complete 45 or more credit hours with an overall minimum GPA of 2.25 for all courses.  

Degree/Minor Requirements  

1. Students majoring in geography and pursuing secondary composite social studies certification complete a    
     bachelor of science degree. 
2. The B.S. degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of geography with:
     a) at least a 2.5 GPA for all geography courses attempted at Texas State University and   
     b) at least a 2.25 GPA for all courses taken at Texas State University.
3. Students seeking secondary composite certification must select a minor in either history or political science
    and complete additional course requirements in the other social studies fields (see advisor). 
4. The School of Education requires 21 semester hours of curriculum and instruction. 
5. Texas State requires a minimum of 138 semester hours of coursework to graduate including: 
    a) general education core requirements;
    b) major requirements;
    c) minor requirements; and    
    d) additional elective courses selected from disciplines other than major or minor.
6. At least 36 semester hours must be advanced (3000 – 4000) level courses. 
7. At least 9 semester hours must be writing intensive (WI). 

Optional Certificates

Geographic Information System (GIS) - The GIS certificate requires completion of 16 hours:  GEO 2426 & (Choose one: GEO 2427 or GEO 3411 or GEO 3416) & GEO 4426 & GEO 4427 with a minimum grade of C for each course and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for all four courses. Additional course work beyond minimum degree/major requirements may be required for the certificate. 

Water Resources Policy -The water resources policy certificate requires completion of 13 hours: GEO 3434,  GEO 4313, GEO 4314 and GEO 4341 (spring only) with a minimum grade of C for each course and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for all four courses. Additional course work beyond minimum degree/major requirements may be required for the certificate.