Geography Associate in Arts Transfer Degree, AA-T

Program Description

This Associate in Arts degree in Geography for Transfer (A.A.-T) provides a path to students who wish to transfer to a CSU campus in Geography and serves the diverse needs of students who wish to obtain a broad and an in-depth understanding of the field. Additionally, this degree allows students to examine the environmental and spatial science of geography including both physical and cultural landscapes across the Earth. Courses in Geography also prepare students interested in careers in environmental studies, education, engineering, urban planning, and architecture.

The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, now codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to a California State University (CSU) campus for any community college student who completes an "associate degree for transfer", a newly established variation of the associate degrees traditionally offered at a California community college. The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing these degrees (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. In order to earn one of these degrees, students must complete a minimum of 60 required semester units of CSU-transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept the AA-T or AS-T will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree (unless the major is a designated "high unit" major). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

To earn this AA-T degree, students must meet the following requirements:

  • completion of the following major requirements with grades of C or better;
  • completion of a minimum of 60 CSU transferable semester units with a grade point average of at least 2.0; and
  • certified completion of the CSU General Education-Breadth (CSUGE) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for CSU, which requires a minimum of 39 units.

It is highly recommend that students complete courses that satisfy the U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement as part of CSUGE or IGETC before transferring to a CSU.

Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution and major in Geography should consult with a counselor regarding the transfer process and lower division requirements.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Science

Department

Geography

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Science, Engineering, Math

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate expertise in basic cartographic principles, including map location, scale, and distortion.

  2. Integrate fundamentals of sociology, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and other social and natural sciences within a spatial network of human-environment interactions.

  3. Interpret spatial patterns, as indicated on maps, and utilize tabular and textual information as a means to produce basic maps.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

13-15 units

2nd Semester

14 units

3rd Semester

15-16 units

4th Semester

12-17 units