Department of Environmental Geography is a further development of the study program in Faculty of Geography. This development is done considering that environmental issues are becoming increasingly complex and thus require a more in-depth study on the basis of the environmental components. Study Program of Geography officially established on July 11, 1996 by the Decree No. 221 / DIKTI / Kep / 96.
Since officially established, this study program immediately apply for accreditation to the National Accreditation Agent of College. At 1998, the study program received Accreditation through Decree No. 00 762 / Ak-I.1 / UGMGBO / VIII / 1998. Five years later apply for accreditation again, and through Decree No. 05859 / Ak-VII-S1-027 / UGMGBO / IX / 2003 still received Accreditation
Department of Environmental Geography has a vision that is relevant to the vision of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Faculty of Geography, being a superior center in sector of geography and environmental science with international standard. From the past until today, Department of Environmental Geography has always been a role model and reference for the implementation of programs similar studies in Indonesia. In fact, together with the Institute of Geography of Indonesia (IGI) and in cooperation with the Center for Curriculum, Ministry of Education, this study program participate and contribute in the determination of the content, substance and hierarchy geography lesson on geography education elementary, junior high school and senior high school. Establishment of Department of Geography at the new universities of the former Institute of Teacher Training and Education (IKIP), also refers to the Department of Environmental Geography at the Faculty of Geography. Faculty of Geography is a faculty adviser for the establishment of the Faculty of Geography at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS).
Cooperation with similar study programs abroad have also been established with well, such as by ITC Enschede; Cologne University, Germany; Chiba University, Japan, and the University of Utrecht. Advances in abroad wherever possible been emulated and followed, in order to education and teaching in this study program be more advanced also has international standard.