Kennesaw State University, part of the University System of Georgia, offers its Bachelor of Arts in Geography face to face, as a hybrid, or completely online with no face-to-face courses required. The online version launched in spring 2015 and covers both human and physical geography.
KSU’s Department of Geography and Anthropology won the American Association of Geographers’ 2021 Award for Bachelor’s Program Excellence in Geography. For online students, the main draws are a low per-credit eTuition rate and a GIS certificate that can also be completed online.
Program at a Glance
| Degree | B.A. in Geography |
| Credits | 120 on the degree page; 123 on the online program page (confirm with an advisor) |
| Format | Completely online, hybrid or face to face |
| Start terms | Fall, spring or summer |
| eTuition (2026–27) | $192 per credit plus a flat $594 Online Learner Fee per term |
| Related credentials | Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences (online available); Geography minor (15 credits) |
| Online coordinator | Dr. Shannon Hall |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
Curriculum
The B.A. combines human and physical geography with interdisciplinary electives from the humanities, social sciences, arts, physical sciences and business. Courses highlighted by the department include:
| Human and regional geography | Physical, environmental and technical |
|---|---|
| World Regional Geography | Earth From Above |
| Cultural Geography | Global Climate Change |
| Economic Geography | Environmental Studies |
| Urban Geography | Local and Global Sustainability |
| Population Geography | Geographic Information Systems |
| Geography of Europe (GEOG 3312) | Research Methods |
GEOG 1101 and GEOG 1125 also count toward general education. Students can earn credit through the GEOG 3398 internship. KSU’s catalog was not accessible when we reviewed this program, so check the 2026–27 catalog program page for exact required courses and hours.
GIS Certificate
Geography majors can add KSU’s Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences, which can be completed in the classroom or online. The department says it can be finished in three semesters and is recognized by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Students need a B average in the required courses and at least a C in each. The department notes that financial aid does not cover the certificate alone.
How the Online Format Works
- Fully online option: the department states the online B.A. requires no face-to-face courses.
- Fee structure: fully online students pay the Online Learner Fee instead of campus mandatory fees. Registering for any on-campus or hybrid course triggers full campus fees.
- Pace: the program is designed for four years of full-time study, with summer courses optional.
Admission Requirements
Transfer Students
- 30 semester hours of transferable credit with at least a 2.0 GPA, as recalculated by KSU
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- $40 application fee, through GAfutures
- Students with fewer than 30 hours must also meet first-year requirements
First-Year Students
- 2.5 high school GPA through Summer 2027; 3.0 starting Fall 2027
- SAT, ACT or CLT scores (for example, SAT 500 EBRW and 490 Math)
- 17 required high school units
- $40 application fee, through the Common App
Sources: transfer requirements and first-year requirements. Once admitted to KSU, students can declare the geography major with no extra requirements.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
| Item | 2026–27 cost |
|---|---|
| eTuition (online courses) | $192 per credit |
| Online Learner Fee | $594 per term (flat, 1–15 credits) |
| 12-credit online term | $2,898 |
| 15-credit online term | $3,474 |
| On-campus out-of-state tuition (for comparison) | $722 per credit |
At $192 per credit, 120 credits come to about $23,000 in tuition, plus the per-term Online Learner Fee. The eTuition schedule lists a single rate with no separate out-of-state charge, while on-campus out-of-state tuition is $722 per credit. Out-of-state students should confirm with the Bursar that they qualify for eTuition by taking only online courses.
- HOPE Scholarship: available to eligible Georgia residents with a 3.0 HOPE GPA.
- Department scholarships: including the Rebecca Mattord Memorial Scholarship for juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA pursuing the B.A. with the GIS certificate.
Faculty and Department
The Department of Geography and Anthropology has 25 full-time faculty, 17 of them in geography and geospatial sciences. Faculty research covers LiDAR and remote sensing, climate, rivers and geomorphology, immigration and migration geography, health geography with GIS, and sustainability and food systems. The department’s GIS lab has 30 dual-monitor workstations and a large-format plotter.
Students can join the Student Geography Club or the Gamma Theta Upsilon geography honor society, and faculty lead study abroad trips such as a summer 2026 program in Paris.
Careers
KSU lists career paths including cartographer, GIS officer, environmental consultant, surveyor, sustainability consultant, transportation planner, demographer, conservation officer, landscape architect, teacher and tourism officer. The department notes that geography graduates work in business, education, government, nonprofits and research. KSU does not publish salary or placement figures for the program.
Pros and Considerations
Strengths
- Low $192 per-credit eTuition
- Award-winning department (AAG 2021 Bachelor’s Program Excellence)
- GIS certificate available online
- Option to mix online and on-campus courses for Georgia students
Things to Consider
- Published credit totals differ (120 vs. 123)
- Out-of-state students should confirm their eTuition eligibility
- Taking any on-campus or hybrid course adds full campus fees
- Financial aid does not cover the standalone GIS certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn KSU’s geography degree completely online?
Yes. The department states the online B.A. in Geography requires no face-to-face courses.
How much does KSU’s online geography degree cost?
For 2026–27, eTuition is $192 per credit plus a flat $594 Online Learner Fee each term. A 15-credit term costs $3,474.
Does KSU offer GIS online?
Yes. The Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences can be completed online, and it pairs with the geography B.A.
What do I need to transfer to KSU?
At least 30 transferable semester hours with a 2.0 GPA. Students with fewer hours must also meet first-year admission requirements.
Compare Kennesaw State with other schools in our online geography degree rankings, or see campus programs in Georgia.
Official Sources
We verified this profile against the following school pages in October 2026. Program details change, so confirm current requirements and costs with the school before you apply.
- B.A. in Geography degree page
- Online B.A. in Geography (Department)
- Geography and Anthropology FAQ
- Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences
- 2026–27 eTuition/Online Tuition and Fees (PDF)
- 2026–27 Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (PDF)
- Faculty and Staff
- GIS Lab
- AAG Award announcement
- Transfer admission requirements
- First-year admission requirements
- Department scholarships
- HOPE Scholarship