Below is a list of schools that offer a physical geography degree online, or a degree that has a heavy physical geography component.
Dive into topics like landforms, climate systems, ecosystems, and geospatial analysis, and prepare for careers in environmental science, urban planning, or geographic information systems (GIS).
Arizona State University
Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Geography program explores the dynamic relationship between people and their environment through a holistic lens. Students delve into topics like cultural geography, urban planning, and geographic information science while studying how human settlement interacts with Earth’s physical features.
This interdisciplinary program prepares graduates for careers in teaching, community development, and planning, with opportunities to pursue accelerated master’s degrees for advanced expertise.
Some of the courses related to physical geography include:
- GPH 111 – Introduction to Physical Geography: Covers spatial and functional relationships among climates, landforms, soils, water, and plants.
- GPH 112 – Introduction to Physical Geography Lab: Includes field trips to study physical geography topics.
- GPH 211 – Landform Processes: Focuses on earth-surface processes such as erosion, transportation, and deposition and their impact on landforms.
- GPH 212 – Introduction to Meteorology: Explores fundamentals of weather and climate, including atmospheric processes.
- GPH 213 – Climate and Weather: Offers meteorological and climatological analysis, including map interpretation and symbology.
- GPH 214 – Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory: Provides basic meteorological data and measurement techniques.
- GPH 215 – Climate and Weather Laboratory: Focuses on map analysis and interpretation for climatological studies.
- GPH 267 – Extreme Weather: Surveys extreme weather and climate processes and their impacts.
- GPH 314 – Global Change: Examines responses of Earth’s natural systems to past and future environmental changes.
- GPH 412 – Physical Meteorology: Studies physical processes in the earth-atmosphere system, including energy and mass balances.
- GPH 414 – Climate Change: Reviews paleoclimatology, greenhouse theories, and numerical climate modeling.
- GPH 475 – Dynamic Meteorology II: Focuses on climate dynamics, including general circulation and surface-atmosphere interactions.
These courses emphasize physical processes, systems, and phenomena, making them directly applicable to physical geography.
Read more information about the online geography program at ASU.
Marshall University
The M.S. program focuses on GIScience and physical geography, and prepares students for professional roles or doctoral studies. Students can choose between completing the capstone course, GEO679, which emphasizes career advancement and includes a comprehensive exam, or writing a thesis. Most students opt for the GEO679 capstone pathway.
The program’s core courses provide a comprehensive foundation in geography, research, and GIScience.
GEO 540: Spatial Statistics and GIS I introduces statistical methods in spatial analysis, while GEO 615: Geographic Thought and GEO 616: Geographical Research Methods explore theoretical frameworks and methodologies in the discipline.
Students choose between completing GEO 679: Portfolio and Career Profile, focusing on professional development, or GEO 681: Thesis, a 6-credit research project.
Additionally, students select one GIScience course from options such as GEO 523: Cartography & GIS, GEO 531: Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry, or GEO 634: GIS Databases & Programming, among others, to build specialized skills in areas like environmental analysis, remote sensing, or GIS project applications.
Read more information about the online geography program at Marshall.
Old Dominion University
The Bachelor of Science in Geography program emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of human and environmental geography, equipping students with research, analytical, and technical skills.
With a mix of core courses, upper-division electives, and optional specializations in urban planning, GIS, or environmental resources, the program offers a flexible curriculum designed for completion in four years, supported by personalized academic advising.
Courses that specifically apply to physical geography include:
- GEOG 101S – Environmental Geography
Explores Earth’s physical landscape, environmental characteristics, and their impacts on human populations, including topics like climate change, natural hazards, and water resource management. - GEOG 305 – World Resources
Analyzes the geographical distribution and accessibility of resources such as water, biodiversity, and energy. - GEOG 306T – Hazards: Natural and Technological
Investigates human responses to geophysical and technological threats such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and nuclear accidents. - GEOG 330 – Field Methods
Provides hands-on training in data generation techniques, including observation and field problem-solving. - GEOG 350 – Geography of the United States and Canada
Examines the physical and human geography of North America, with a focus on population distribution and natural resources. - GEOG 419/519 – Spatial Analysis of Coastal Environments
Focuses on spatial modeling of coastal processes and environmental management using GIS. - GEOG 420/520 – Marine Geography
Analyzes environmental geography and resources of the oceans, including topics like climate change and ocean pollution. - GEOG 422W/522 – Coastal Geography
Examines physical and human geography of coastal zones, including resource management and coastal processes. - GEOG 464/564 – Advanced Environmental Geography Seminar
Provides in-depth exploration of environmental geography concepts, including topics like climate change and agricultural security. - GEOG 460/560 – Medical Geography (shared with human geography)
Discusses health-related issues with environmental geography aspects, such as the spatial behavior of infectious diseases. - GEOG 424/524 – Weather, Climate, and Society (shared with human geography)
Explores the role of weather and climate, including their societal and environmental impacts.
These courses delve into the physical characteristics of Earth’s systems, interactions with human activities, and the study of natural landscapes, hazards, and environmental processes, aligning with the focus of physical geography.
Read more information about the online geography program at ODU.
Oregon State University
Oregon State University’s online Geography and Geospatial Science bachelor’s program integrates physical geography, human geography, and GIScience to explore human-environment relations and global issues.
With a focus on geovisualization, geospatial analysis, and climate justice, the program equips students with in-demand skills for careers in diverse fields such as natural resource management, urban planning, and public safety.
Courses specifically related to physical geography include:
- GEOG 102 – Physical Geography (4 Credits)
Processes shaping the Earth’s surface, including weathering, mass movement, landforms, river systems, groundwater, and biogeography. - GEOG 323 – Climatology (4 Credits)
Systematic analysis of global and regional climates, including physical principles of climate and classification systems. - GEOG 324 – Ecological Biogeography (4 Credits)
Study of spatial distributions of species, communities, and biomes, including climate and tectonic influences. - GEOG 340 – Introduction to Water Science and Policy (3 Credits)
Policy and science of the hydrologic cycle, with a focus on human interactions and natural fluctuations. - GEOG 350 – Geography of Natural Hazards (3 Credits)
Introduction to natural hazards and disasters, focusing on risk, vulnerability, and resilience of human societies. - GEOG 380 – Remote Sensing: Principles and Applications (4 Credits)
Fundamentals of satellite remote sensing, including sensors and environmental applications. - GEOG 423 – Snow Hydrology (3 Credits)
Study of snow formation, snowpack processes, and watershed implications. - GEOG 424 – Hydrology for Water Resources Management (3 Credits)
Examination of watershed hydrology, including the hydrologic cycle and water management challenges. - GEOG 595 – Field Geography of Oregon (3 Credits)
Fieldwork to study landscapes such as mountains, coasts, and deserts to analyze human-environment interactions. - GEOG 596 – Field Research in Geomorphology and Landscape Ecology (3 Credits)
Exploration of disturbance and recovery processes in forest-stream landscapes with field-based research.
Read more information about the online geography program at OSU.
Northeastern University
Exploring Physical Geography
The physical geography component of Northeastern’s online geography degree program provides an in-depth study of Earth’s natural systems and processes. These courses focus on understanding the environment, analyzing natural hazards, and addressing global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Understanding Earth’s Systems
GEOG 3553 – Physical Geography offers a comprehensive exploration of Earth’s physical systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Students gain insight into how these systems interact and the role of human activities within them. In GEOG 3033 – Environmental Geography, the focus shifts to natural resource use and environmental challenges such as global warming, acid rain, and biodiversity loss.
Extreme Weather and Natural Hazards
Students delve into atmospheric processes and extreme weather events in GEOG 3343 – Extreme Weather, covering phenomena like tornadoes, hurricanes, and their climate change connections. GEOG 4273 – Natural Hazards complements this by examining the causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods.
Biodiversity and Climate Change
Courses like GEOG 4343 – Biodiversity & Environmental Change highlight the interconnectedness of Earth systems, exploring topics like habitat loss, pollution, and climate impacts while proposing sustainability solutions. GEOG 4743 – Climate Change provides a multidisciplinary approach to investigating climate variability, water scarcity, and global sustainability challenges.
These courses equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand and address pressing environmental and ecological issues, preparing them for impactful careers in geography, environmental management, and sustainability.
Read more information about the online geography program at Northeastern.