Geography and Geography Education: Two Faces of the Same Coin

Geography is a scientific field that studies the earth, including the relationships, similarities, and differences between spaces on the planet. It encompasses hydrology, geology, demography, meteorology, climatology, and more.

If you were interested in geography during high school, pursuing a degree in Geography could be an option. Geography and Geography Education are the two study program directly related to the field of geography. Both study program are commonly offered at various universities in Indonesia, including Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta (UMS).

Although both study program study earth sciences, there are differences between the Geography and Geography Education majors. Let’s learn what the differences are in these two excellent majors at UMS directly from the experts. 

The Geography study program at UMS covers a range of geographical aspects of the earth, including climate, soil, atmosphere, topography, ecology, and vegetation.  This knowledge will be highly applicable in the future, particularly in Indonesia with its diverse natural landscapes and various disaster risks.

UMS Geography graduates can pursue careers as geography researchers, geographers, or even geography entrepreneurs. Those with a Geography Sciences degree are expected to contribute to the future development of the field.

“Students will develop expertise in tropical regional geography by using geospatial technology that incorporates Islamic values,” said Dr. Aditya Saputra, Head of the Geography Program at UMS.

Meanwhile, Geography Education at UMS is a study program that focuses on teaching geographical knowledge to students using innovative methods.

UMS Geography Education graduates will be equipped with the skills to become proficient geography teachers and educators, with a focus on geospatial literacy and disaster mitigation.

“The Geography Education study program differs from Geography in terms of its graduates and distinctive expertise, specifically in disaster mitigation and the ability to incorporate Islamic values into innovative learning,” said Yunus Aris Wibowo, S.Pd., M.Sc., Head of the Geography Education Program at UMS.

Although the academic focus of Geography and Geography Education study program differs, they share several courses. Some of the common courses between the two majors include:

• Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Cartography
• Geology
• Geomorphology
• Hydrology
• Regional Geography
• Regional Development Planning
• Socio-economic Geography
• Environmental Geography
• Soil Geography
• Meteorology and Climatology
• Surveying and Mapping
• Mineralogy Petrography
• Biogeography
• Demography.

Geography courses specifically studied in this program are predominantly advanced courses and concentration courses. There are four concentrations available: Physical Geography and Disaster Management, Social and Demography Geography, Technical Geography, and Regional Geography.

Meanwhile, Geography Education courses that are not studied in the Geography program include: Disaster Risk Reduction Education, Practicum in Disaster Risk Reduction Education, Geography Learning Planning, Information and Communication Technology for Geography Learning, Geography Learning Strategies, Geography Learning Evaluation, Geography Education Research Methods, Disaster Management, and Geography Teacher Professional Ethics.

The two programs differ not only in their focus of study and courses but also in the academic degrees earned by their graduates. This difference is influenced by the academic focus and the targeted outcomes for graduates in each study programs.

Geography graduates will get the S.Geo. or Bachelor of Geography degree. While graduates of Geography Education will get the S.Pd. or Bachelor of Education degree.

Some people might wonder, what kind of job can you get with a Geography major? Don't worry! Graduates of Geography have the opportunity to pursue careers in various fields, ranging from government to scientific research. Some job prospects for Geography majors include:

• Staff at the Geospatial Information Agency
• Staff at the National Land Agency
• Staff at the Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency
• Mapping consultant
• Cartographer
• Army - Mapping and Analyst
• GIS (Geographic Information System) expert
• Spatial analyst
• Spatial big data
• Regional planner

Not only Geography, but graduates of Geography Education also have significant opportunities for successful careers and a bright future. You might ask, “What kind of job can you get with a Geography Education major?” Mr. Yunus mentioned several job prospects for Geography Education, including:"

• Geography Teacher
• Social studies teacher
• Editor
• Author
• Regional and disaster analyst (expert consultant)
• Geopreneur
• Geographic researcher
• GIS expert 
• Environmental consultant

That's a brief overview of the differences between the Geography and Geography Education majors. Although they may seem similar, there are distinctions ranging from the focus of study to the courses. Well, make sure you choose a major that aligns with your interests and future plans! By the way, both the Geography and Geography Education majors are highlighted at UMS as they have received excellent accreditation from BAN-PT (National Accreditation Body for Higher Education). Let's get to know the Geography and Geography Education majors at UMS!