School of Social Sciences & EducationSustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning
Map the world.
Sustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning (SGEP) focuses on the relationship between humans and their environment, locally and globally. Our students are studying some of the most critical issues of our time, including globalization, natural hazards, climate change, resiliency, healthcare and emerging diseases. Students in SGEP also receive extensive training in geographic information systems (GIS), which is an invaluable tool for many careers including natural resource management, urban and environmental planning, and geoengineering.
About Our Program
The SGEP major is offered as either a B.S. or a B.A. Led by innovative faculty, this interdisciplinary major provides a direct path to a rewarding career in the public or private sector.
Students tailor the degree to their interest by concentrating in one of three tracks:
- Sustainability and Resiliency
- Geography and GIS
- Environmental Planning
Students may concentrate in one, two, or all three areas. Graduates are awarded a certificate(s) of recognition for each concentration completed.
Available Minors
SGEP offers three 15-credit minors that pair well with any major.
- Geography and the Environment
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Sustainability
Get your hands dirty.
The SGEP offers numerous internship, research project, and service-learning opportunities, as well as strong connections to professionals. Explore your options and message the department for more information on how to get started!
- Hands on research, data, and mapping experiences with expert faculty
- Cutting edge technologies such as a DJI drone, an HP Laser Plotter, softwares such as ArcGIS, Python, IBM SPSS, Qualtrics Survey Data collection, and more
- Strong partnerships with the JU Marine Science Research Institute, St. Johns Riverkeeper, JU Public Policy Institute
- An expansive network of invaluable internships
- International education and study abroad opportunities to Cuba, Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the Philippines, and more
Internship Sites
You could intern at:
- CSX
- Jacksonville Electric Authority
- City of Jacksonville GIS Division
- Jacksonville Transportation Authority
- JaxPort
- St. Johns County Public Works
- National Geographic Society
- National Parks Service
- Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Science meets Art Beautiful Maps Gallery
Maps communicate policy issues and histories of cultures around the globe, they express warming and cooling temperatures, population densities, zip codes where resources are allocated, food deserts, stray animals, and so much more. For this reason, it is critical that maps are legible, expressive, and clear.
Made possible through an EPIC grant from the Florida Department of Education and in collaboration between the Sustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning, and Visual Arts departments, the Beautiful Maps student art gallery showcases the work of GIS and Art students who explored the artistic principles of line, shape, color, and contrast to create maps that are both accurate and beautiful. The gallery opened in early April 2023.
"According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of geoscientists is projected to grow five percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations."
Sustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning
The Department of Sustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning is part of the School of Social Sciences & Education within the College of Arts & Sciences.
Contact Information
Gooding Building
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Phone: (904) 256-7669
Email: geography@ju.edu