About Us: 100 Years and Counting!

The Department of Geography, Planning and Environment was one of the 14 original departments established by East Carolina Teachers College in 1921.  Our growth and development over these last 100 years has paralleled the rise of East Carolina University, and today our dedicated faculty and highly engaged students continue to make important contributions to ECU’s mission.  Our four undergraduate degrees and two graduate programs combine natural and social science, environmental policy, and cutting-edge technology to successfully prepare students for a wide range of potential career paths.

ECU Geography is focused on real world problems and we help students gain experience to solve these problems in a hands-on learning environment where you will have close interaction with your professors and fellow students. You will find ample opportunities for engaged learning though, field-based class projects, faculty research, and valuable internships and study abroad programs. These experiences provide our students with the knowledge and skills to be competitive in an ever-changing job market and to excel in graduate school.

Come join ECU’s Department of Geography, Planning and Environment and graduate not only with a marketable degree, but as an alumnus prepared to contribute as a global citizen with an ability to make a difference in the world.