Geography

The Geography Department has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on the Geography Website

Geography Advising Contact Information

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

Yes! Students can reference the database on our Study Abroad web page for a list of pre-approved course substitutes for Geography major requirements. We encourage students to study abroad and are happy to review courses to see if they can be used to satisfy Geography major requirements if they are not listed in the database. Please reach out to our Undergraduate Major Advisor for more information. 

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

Students are allowed to use up to three courses from their study abroad program to satisfy Geography major requirements. Three courses is the maximum for both semester and year-long programs abroad.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

Yes! Students can reference the database on our Study Abroad web page for a list of pre-approved course substitutes for Geography major requirements. We encourage students to study abroad and are happy to review courses to see if they can be used to satisfy Geography major requirements if they are not listed in the database. Please reach out to our Undergraduate Major Advisor for more information. 

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

Yes! Our Study Abroad web page has 2-, 2.5-, 3-, and 4-year sample plans for students interested in studying abroad.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Students can share courses they are interested in taking abroad with our Undergraduate Major Advisor. They may be asked to submit syllabi for the course(s) they would like to use for major requirements. The adviser will review the courses and will consult with the faculty, if necessary. We guarantee a quick turnaround (a week or less) as long as enough information is provided at the time of the request.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

Yes.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes, if the course is used to satisfy a major requirement. 

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Yes, if the course is used to satisfy a major requirement. 

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The Undergraduate Major Adviser.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

No. Our department does not apply semester holds to our majors.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

We lightly warn students who go on UCEAP for their last semester. There is a small risk that they will not be able to administratively graduate on time if their UCEAP coursework is not received in time for degree conferral.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

Not at this time. 

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

Not at this time. Courses are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

Students can share courses they are interested in talking with our Undergraduate Major Advisor. They may be asked to submit syllabi for the course(s) they would like to use for major requirements. The adviser will review the courses and will consult with the faculty, if necessary.