Stein College

Sustainability, Geography, and Environmental Planning

Students and workers standing in front of White Harvest Farms, smiling

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.

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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

ABOUT OUR MINORS

Learn Locally. Impact Globally.

Dive into applied research, innovative technologies, and community-driven solutions through SGEP’s immersive learning experiences. Connect with faculty mentors to begin your journey.

Real-world research and advanced geospatial projects
Industry-standard tools: ArcGIS, Python, DJI drones, SPSS, Qualtrics, large-format mapping equipment
Partnerships with MSRI, Riverkeeper, and public policy leaders
Extensive internship pathways with nonprofits, agencies, and engineering firms
International education opportunities in Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, the UK, and more

Internship Sites

You could intern at:

Government & Public Sector

City of Jacksonville – GIS Division, Environmental Quality, Resiliency
St. Johns County Public Works
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)
JAXPORT
St. Johns River Water Management District
National Park Service

Industry & Engineering

CSX
JEA
Gemini Engineering
AE Prime

Nonprofits & Conservation

St. Johns Riverkeeper
Public Trust for Conservation
Three Rivers Legal Services (Heirs’ Property Initiative)
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Jacksonville
National Geographic Society

University-Affiliated Opportunities

JU Marine Science Research Institute
SGEP Faculty-Led GIS & Resiliency Research Teams

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.

Read about the gallery.

three students standing side by side smiling against a backdrop of colorful and dynamic maps

Dr. Ashley Johnson and male student looking at a map together in front of a colorful green and blue wall.

"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."

Dr. Ashley JohnsonAssociate Professor of Geography and Sustainability

Social Sciences &
Education