Course Overview!

The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Geography with a Tourism and Human Geography concentration at Ball State University equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between human societies and their environments, with a specific focus on the tourism industry. The program blends theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing graduates for diverse careers in the field. Students will develop expertise in sustainable destination development, demographic analysis, tour package creation and sales, tour guiding, geographic information systems, and cartography. The curriculum includes core geography courses covering global geography, spatial reasoning, and GIS, along with specialized courses in sustainable tourism, international conflict geography, urban geography, tours and meetings management, population geography, and travel and tourism consulting. The program emphasizes experiential learning through internships at organizations such as the Muncie Visitors Bureau and various resorts, and through domestic and international field courses providing hands-on experience and cultural immersion.

Course Structure

The Tourism and Human Geography concentration requires 45 credits beyond the University Core Curriculum. The curriculum comprises core geography major courses (15 credits), concentration-specific courses (30 credits), and university core courses and electives (75 credits). Core courses cover fundamental geographic concepts like global geography, map analysis, and GIS. Concentration courses delve into sustainable tourism, the geography of international conflict, urban geography, tour management, population geography, and tourism consulting. Students can tailor their studies to align with their interests and career objectives, making use of available electives within the University Core Curricula.