Career In Meteorology

B.S. in Geography with concentration in Atmospheric Sciences enough for Meteorology job?

I was wondering if obtaining a B.S. in Geography with a concentration in Atmospheric Sciences would land me a job as a Meteorologist, or do I need to look for a school that offers Atmospheric Sciences/Meteorology as a major itself?

Public Comments

1. Looking up the qualifications for a meteorologist job on USAjobs.com it says the following: "A. Bachelor's degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included: At least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in meteorology including coursework in each of the following: * Six semester hours in weather analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale) * Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics* * Three semester hours of physical meteorology * Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation * Six semester hours of physics with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions* * Three semester hours of Ordinary Differential Equations* * At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, computer science." I think that should answer your question.
2. The name of the degree does not matter as much as the completed courses required for the position. When I go out to recruit and try fill an open meteorological position, I really don't look at the name of the degree, but I always look to make sure they will have some kind of a 4-year degree and to make sure they have taken and passed all the core courses that are required for that advertised position. I know of many who are meteorologist in both government and the private sector who do not have a degree in Atmospheric Science or Meteorology, but have a Bachelor degree in Mathematics, Physics, Oceanography, Engineering, Geology, and even a couple of people who have a B.S degree in Geography with a minor in Atmospheric Science. As long as you taken and passed all the required educational courses that your potential employer requires, you should be qualify for the position. The best way to know for sure is to ask your potential employer, since each one may have different requirements set for their advertised position. Best wishes!