2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Geography & Sustainability
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Faculty
Professor Lorri Krebs, Chairperson
Professors: William L. Hamilton, Noel P. Healy, Marcos J. Luna, Steven E. Silvern
Associate Professor: John T. Hayes
Assistant Professors: Nicholas Geron, Taru Taru
Faculty Emeriti
Professors: Laurence E. Goss, Jr., Steven Matchak, Keith Ratner, Stephen S. Young
Programs Offered
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science - Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Bachelor of Science - Geography
Combined BS-MS Cartography and Geographic Information Systems and Geo-Information Science
Concentrations
Environmental Sustainability
Sustainable Tourism
Minors
Environmental Sustainability
Geographic Information Science
Geography
Sustainable Tourism
Travel and Tourism
Certificates
Geographic Information Systems
Sustainable Tourism Development
Discover the Power of Place - Shape a Sustainable Future
Welcome to the Department of Geography & Sustainability—where curiosity meets impact. Our interdisciplinary program explores the dynamic relationship between people, place, and the planet. From climate change and urban development to social justice and global inequality, our students investigate the most pressing challenges of our time through local and global lenses.
In Geography & Sustainability, you won’t just learn about the world—you’ll engage with it. Our courses combine critical thinking, data analysis, and hands-on learning through fieldwork, internships, and research with faculty. Whether mapping flood risks, analyzing climate policy, or working with community organizations, you’ll gain real-world experience that employers and graduate schools value.
If you’re passionate about making a difference—whether through environmental advocacy, urban planning, policy development, or sustainable business—this is the major for you. Join a community of changemakers who are shaping a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.
Explore. Analyze. Act. Your journey starts here.
If you want to make a difference in the world, studying geography is a great place to start. Geography and sustainability careers offer opportunities to develop solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems, including climate change, environmental sustainability, natural disasters, sustainable tourism, and urban planning.
Salem State’s Geography and Sustainability programs combine a strong background in the academic tradition of geography with applied fields such as environmental sustainability, sustainable tourism, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and digital image processing, regional development and planning, meteorology and climatology, and natural resource management.
Geographers use many tools and techniques in their work, and geographic technologies are increasingly important for understanding our complex world. They include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and online mapping such as Google Earth. The teaching and use of geospatial computer technologies is a hallmark of our department, now even including the use of drones in our teaching and service to the local and regional geospatial community.
Faculty within the Geography and Sustainability department pride themselves on providing expert mentorship and friendship for all students while at Salem State and beyond graduation. We train our students – in a friendly, well-supported environment – to be top scientists as well as concerned global citizens.
Degree Descriptions
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Discover the world through our dynamic Bachelor of Arts in Geography, where curiosity meets global impact. From exploring the forces that shape landscapes and cultures to analyzing pressing issues like social justice,  climate change, urban growth, and sustainable development, our program equips students with the skills to understand—and solve—the challenges of our interconnected world. Transform your passion for people, places, and the planet into a future of possibilities, just some of which might include international development, education, sustainability policy, or working at the intersection of people and place.
Bachelor of Science - Geography
The Bachelor of Science in Geography offers an exciting, technology-driven approach to understanding our ever-changing world. Blending scientific analysis with hands-on experience, students dive into topics like climate systems, environmental sustainability, urban planning, and global resource management while mastering cutting-edge tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial data analysis. With opportunities for fieldwork, research, and real-world applications, our program prepares graduates to tackle complex environmental and societal challenges with analytical precision. Whether your path leads to careers in environmental science, data analytics, urban development, or graduate research, the Geography BS provides the scientific and technical foundation to turn your curiosity about the planet into impactful solutions.
Bachelor of Science - Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
The Bachelor of Science in cartography and geographic information systems (GIS) is a technology-focused program designed to provide students with the theoretical, practical and technical skills that are essential for the visualization and analysis of spatial data in a wide variety of applications. Students with a range of interests will benefit from this program by becoming proficient in the use and application of GIS technologies through a flexible set of courses and hands-on experiences. The program offers the training and experience necessary to prepare for the rapidly expanding professional opportunities available in the diverse set of fields that depend on geographic information. GIS and related geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing from satellites, aircraft, and drones are integral to mapping and surveying, environmental analysis and natural resource management, transportation and urban planning, business planning, crime analysis, and disaster management, to name only a few areas.
Combined Bachelor of Science Cartography and Geographic Information Systems and Master of Science in Geo-Information Science
This program allows students who have completed three years in the BS Cartography and GIS program at the top of their class to enter a program that will allow them complete both a BS and MS in Cartography and GIS in five years. Starting in the senior year, the students begin taking graduate courses, so that after five years they will have completed all of the requirements for both programs.
Concentration Descriptions
Environmental Sustainability
The Environmental Sustainability concentration provides a foundation for understanding and creating solutions for local to global environmental problems in a manner which does not compromise future generations. The curriculum focuses on not only learning about environmental sustainability issues but provides problem-solving skills and technical geographic computer skills as well. Course work is supplemented by experiential learning for those who wish to explore internships, directed studies and study-abroad opportunities during their studies. Students completing this concentration will be prepared for graduate school or employment with environmental non-profits, corporations, and various levels of government. Other fields students enter upon graduation include climate action planning, climate change resiliency adaptation and sustainable energy policy.
Sustainable Tourism
This program will open students’ eyes to new ideas and open the employment door to new career path opportunities. Students will examine current trends in the tourism industry, and will delve into exploring the social, cultural and environmental issues surrounding tourism. Courses will cover topical areas such as: Sustainability; Using tourism for economic development; Marketing tourism; International perspectives on tourism; Impacts of travel; Understanding local tourism initiatives; Special events; Ecotourism; and Recreation. Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world and employment opportunities are endless. For example, students who want to work in education, but not in a classroom, might use this to obtain work in a museum, aquarium or historic site providing education and programming; for those in the performing or visual arts, understanding tourism and recreation choices of consumers is paramount to their success; urban planners, economic developers, and entrepreneurs would all benefit from an understanding of how the tourism industry contributes significant dollars and supports substantial numbers of jobs.
Minors
Geography
Expand your world with a Minor in Geography! This flexible program complements any major by exploring the connections between people, places, and environments while building skills in analysis, problem-solving, and global awareness. Add geography to your studies and graduate with a sharper perspective and a competitive edge.
Sustainable Tourism
Turn your passion for travel and the environment into a powerful academic advantage with a Minor in Sustainable Tourism. This program explores how tourism can drive economic development while protecting cultural heritage, conserving natural resources, and promoting community well-being. Students gain a global perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the industry, from ecotourism and destination management to sustainable business practices and climate resiliency. Designed to complement majors across business, environmental studies, geography, and more, the minor equips you with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
Travel and Tourism
Discover the world of global travel with a Minor in Travel and Tourism, where adventure meets opportunity. This program introduces students to the business, cultural, and environmental dimensions of one of the world’s largest industries, exploring everything from destination management and hospitality to event planning and international tourism trends. With a focus on real-world applications and career readiness, students gain valuable insights into how tourism shapes economies, communities, and experiences. Designed to pair seamlessly with majors in business, geography, communications, and beyond, the Travel and Tourism Minor prepare you to thrive in an exciting, people-centered field that spans the globe.
Environmental Sustainability
Prepare to make a difference with a Minor in Environmental Sustainability, a program that empowers students to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Explore the connections between people, places, and the planet while learning about climate change, renewable energy, sustainable resource management, and environmental policy. This interdisciplinary minor complements any major—whether in business, education, science, or the humanities—by equipping you with the knowledge and problem-solving skills to advance sustainability in any career path. Graduate ready to lead with innovation, responsibility, and a commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable future.
Geographic Information Science
This minor is a hands-on minor using state-of-the-art geospatial technologies to gain an understanding of geographic information science as a field of study and to get experience with a wide range of GeoScience software and applications. Experiential learning utilizes real-world projects and case studies from environmental and planning issues to a wide range of applications. The minor requires a total of 15 credits, of which 9 credits come from required courses and 6 credits come from a choice of courses.
Certificates
Geographic Information Systems
This program will provide certification for students who demonstrate proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It is made up of five classes. In these classes, students gain knowledge about GIS and the diverse workplace applications for these systems. They examine the range of information sources that combine to build a GIS database, including raw data, scanned maps, GPS positions, satellite imagery, and aerial photography (including drones). They learn how GIS today supports research and decision-making in a wide variety of fields, including land use planning, environmental science, environmental justice, business intelligence, disaster planning and many others.
Sustainable Tourism
Stand out in today’s global marketplace with a Certificate in Sustainable Tourism—an innovative credential you can add to any major. This one-of-a-kind program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to balance economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship within the tourism industry. Through courses focused on ecotourism, destination management, and sustainable business practices, students gain specialized expertise that complements their degree while demonstrating a commitment to global responsibility. Whether your career path is in business, environmental studies, geography, hospitality, or the social sciences, this certificate showcases your ability to lead in one of the world’s fastest-growing and most impactful industries.
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