Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, offers a B.A. in Geography and Sustainability Studies that students can complete fully online. The program blends human, physical and regional geography with a strong GIS track, and it connects directly to NSU’s online M.S. in Applied GIS through an accelerated pathway.
NSU’s biggest draw for distance students is price. Its 2026–27 online-only undergraduate rate is $278 per credit for Oklahoma residents and $279 for nonresidents, which makes it one of the lowest out-of-state rates among the online geography programs we profile.
Program at a Glance
| Degree | B.A. in Geography and Sustainability Studies |
| Locations | Tahlequah campus and online |
| Major hours | 37, with a C or better in every major course |
| Minor | Required |
| Format | Can be completed fully online; most NSU online courses are asynchronous |
| Online-only tuition (2026–27) | $278 per credit resident; $279 nonresident (tuition plus mandatory fees) |
| GIS options | 15-credit GIS certificate; accelerated path to the online M.S. in Applied GIS |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission (reaffirmed 2022) |
Curriculum
The 37-hour major combines two required courses with choices across four areas and 18 hours of electives. Course lists come from NSU’s online major page.
| Requirement | Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | GEOG 2243 Fundamentals of Geography; GEOG 4951 Geography Capstone | 4 |
| Human topical (choose one) | Human Geography: Cultures, Places and Spaces; Sustainability and Urban Communities; Historical Geography of the U.S.; Space, Power and Politics; Sustainability and Resiliency | 3 |
| Physical (choose one) | GEOG 4743 Climate Change; GEOG 3343 Extreme Weather; GEOG 4273 Natural Hazards | 3 |
| Regional (choose one) | GEOG 2253 World Regional Geography; GEOG 4603 Regional Geography Topics | 3 |
| Techniques (choose two) | GEOG 3813 GIS; GEOG 4833 Advanced GIS; GEOG 4053 Cartography; GEOG 4803 Intro to Geospatial Technology; GEOG 4853 GIS Automation and Scripting; GEOG 4873 GIS Field Applications | 6 |
| Electives | Remaining geography courses, including Global Studies and a geography internship | 18 |
NSU lists Extreme Weather and Natural Hazards as online courses delivered over Zoom, so they may include live sessions.
GIS Certificate and Accelerated Master’s
NSU’s GIS certificate takes 15 credits (five courses) with a C or better in each, and it is offered on campus and online. The required courses are GEOG 3813 Geographic Information Systems, GEOG 4833 Advanced GIS and GEOG 4853 GIS Automation and Scripting, plus two electives from Cartography, Intro to Geospatial Technology and GIS Field Applications. Some courses run only in alternating years, so plan ahead.
Through NSU’s accelerated degree program, geography majors can count up to 12 graduate credits toward both the B.A. and the M.S. in Applied GIS, using paired courses such as GEOG 4833/5833 Advanced GIS. Students need a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 major GPA. The 30-credit M.S. is offered online, with thesis or practicum-and-capstone options and concentrations in Sustainability or Professional Enhancement.
How the Online Format Works
- Fully online option: the department says the degree is normally a mix of campus and online classes, but students can complete it entirely online.
- Asynchronous by default: NSU Online says most online courses are asynchronous, though instructors may add live sessions.
- Start terms: NSU Online lists spring, summer and fall starts. The university also runs second 8-week sessions, such as one starting October 12, 2026.
Admission Requirements
First-Year Students
- 15 required high school units
- Plus one of: a 2.70 GPA and top 50% of class, a 2.7 GPA in the core courses, or an ACT of 20 or higher
- $25 application fee
Transfer Students
- At least a 1.7 GPA with fewer than 30 hours (plus freshman requirements at the lower end), or a 2.0 GPA with 30 or more hours
- An Oklahoma public A.A. or A.S. satisfies lower-division general education
- Up to 64 transfer hours apply to the degree; 30 hours must be taken at NSU
Sources: admission requirements and transfer FAQ. NSU’s pages differ slightly on GPA bands for transfers with 7 to 29 hours, so confirm with admissions.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
| Rate (2026–27, per credit) | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, online-only | $278.00 | $279.00 |
| Undergraduate, standard | $278.00 | $612.25 |
| Graduate, online-only | $342.50 | $343.50 |
Rates include $32.75 per credit in mandatory fees. At the online-only rate, 120 credits would cost about $33,400 for residents or nonresidents. Students who take any campus courses may be charged the standard rate, which is much higher for nonresidents. Source: NSU tuition and fees.
NSU offers transfer scholarships such as the Phi Theta Kappa award ($2,500 over two years) and Smart Choice awards ($1,500 to $4,000), mainly for Oklahoma students. NSU does not say whether fully online students qualify.
Faculty and Department
Geography is part of NSU’s Department of Geography and Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Christine Hallman, professor and chair, also serves as assistant dean. Dr. John McIntosh chairs the M.S. in GIS, and Dr. Saroj Thapa teaches geography, sustainability studies and political science. Students can join the Geography Club and a Gamma Theta Upsilon honor society chapter.
Past geography majors have completed internships with the Bureau of Land Management in Tulsa, the Cherokee Nation GeoData Center, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Careers
NSU’s career page lists roles such as GIS analyst and specialist, cartographer, urban and regional planner, environmental scientist, emergency management director, geospatial intelligence analyst, conservation scientist and teacher. Graduates work in planning, utilities, real estate, tribal, state and federal agencies, natural resources and nonprofits.
Pros and Considerations
Strengths
- Nearly the same online rate for residents and nonresidents ($278 vs. $279)
- GIS certificate and accelerated path into an online GIS master’s
- Sustainability focus built into the major
- Strong internship connections, including tribal and federal agencies
Things to Consider
- A minor is required
- Some GIS courses run only in alternating years
- Some courses meet over Zoom
- Nonresidents taking any campus courses may pay the much higher standard rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn Northeastern State’s geography degree fully online?
Yes. The department says the B.A. in Geography and Sustainability Studies can be completed entirely online, though it is often taken as a mix of campus and online courses.
How much does NSU’s online geography degree cost?
For 2026–27, NSU’s online-only undergraduate rate is $278 per credit for Oklahoma residents and $279 for nonresidents, including mandatory fees.
Does NSU offer a GIS certificate online?
Yes. The 15-credit GIS certificate is offered on campus and online, and its required courses are listed as online.
Can I go straight into a GIS master’s at NSU?
Yes. Through the accelerated program, geography majors can count up to 12 graduate credits toward both the B.A. and the online M.S. in Applied GIS.
Compare Northeastern State with other schools in our online geography degree rankings, or see campus programs in Oklahoma.
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.