Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Geography provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in human and/or physical geography. Graduates of this associate degree program can work as cartographers, land surveyors, GIS analysts, and forest and conservation workers. With a bachelor`s degree, students can pursue a number of careers, including geographers, hydrologists, GIS technicians and technologists, and forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students can pursue careers as atmospheric and space scientists, environmental scientists, geoscientists, climate change analysts, urban planners, and geography professors.

Details

Field of Interest

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Degree Type

Associate in Arts (AA)

Academic Plan

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8113

Total credits required

60-64

Catalog Year

2023-2024

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

Evaluate spatial patterns and relationships within the framework of the scientific method.
Examine the interdependent relationships between the physical and human/cultural environment (such as landforms, climate, resources, political and economic systems, sociology, sustainability).
Critically assess and analyze real-world issues through application of geographic concepts, systems, principles, and theories.
Communicate geographic analyses through verbal, written, and/or geospatial techniques.
Recognize ethical considerations encompassing the professional activities of geographers.
Collaborate with diverse individuals, groups, and institutions to achieve common goals in the field of geography.
Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

$93,677 Show expanded career information for Atmospheric and Space Scientists

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

$64,353 Show expanded career information for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Climate Change Analysts

$59,024 Show expanded career information for Climate Change Analysts

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

$59,024 Show expanded career information for Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Forest and Conservation Workers

$32,557 Show expanded career information for Forest and Conservation Workers

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

$45,878 Show expanded career information for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Geographers

$65,797 Show expanded career information for Geographers

Geographic Information Systems Technicians

$77,925 Show expanded career information for Geographic Information Systems Technicians

Geoscientists

$81,712 Show expanded career information for Geoscientists

Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists

$77,925 Show expanded career information for Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists

Hydrologists

$73,628 Show expanded career information for Hydrologists

Postsecondary Geography Teachers

$63,340 Show expanded career information for Postsecondary Geography Teachers

Surveyors

$60,147 Show expanded career information for Surveyors

Urban and Regional Planners

$73,035 Show expanded career information for Urban and Regional Planners

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the available transfer institutions and what degrees you may be able to transfer into.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Science, Geography (no emphasis)
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Arts, Geography
Northern Arizona University, Bachelor of Science, Geographic Science and Community Planning
University of Arizona, Bachelor of Science, Geography (all emphases) and Bachelor of Science, Urban and Regional Development
University of Arizona, Bachelor of Arts, Geography

Pathway Map Option Details

No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway map options listed above.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1 Term 1 Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1 Term 1 Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GCU102	Introduction to Human Geography		Critical course Gateway course	G, SB	3
(GPH111 and GPH112) or GPH113	(Introduction to Physical Geography Lecture and Introduction to Physical Geography Lab) or Introduction to Physical Geography	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GPH111 or Corequisites: GPH111. or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC	3
MAT14+	College Mathematics		OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GCU121 or GCU122	World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere			G, SB	3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG100LL or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113)] or a grade of B or better in ALT100 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or L	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Related Area Course	Related Area Course		Select a course that transfers to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in the following ASU course prefixes: ASM, GCU, GIS, GPH, POS, PUP, SGS, SOC, or SOS.		0–3
(GPH111 and GPH112) or GPH113	(Introduction to Physical Geography Lecture and Introduction to Physical Geography Lab) or Introduction to Physical Geography	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GPH111 or Corequisites: GPH111. or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
(GPH111 and GPH112) or GPH113	(Introduction to Physical Geography Lecture and Introduction to Physical Geography Lab) or Introduction to Physical Geography	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GPH111 or Corequisites: GPH111. or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GCU121 or GCU122	World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere			G, SB	3
GPH211 or (GPH212 and GPH214) or (GPH213 and GPH215)	Landform Processes or (Introduction to Meteorology I and Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory I) or (Climate and Weather and Climate and Weather Laboratory)	No requisites or No requisites and Corequisites: GPH212. or No requisites and Corequisites: GPH213.		SQ or SG	4
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Related Area	Related Area Course		Select a course that transfers to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in the following ASU course prefixes: ASM, GCU, GIS, GPH, POS, PUP, SGS, SOC, or SOS.		0–3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
GIS211	Geographic Information Science I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GIS205 or permission of Instructor.		CS	4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GIS205	Geographic Information Technologies			CS	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				3
L	Literacy & Critical Inquiry		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
GCU121 or GCU122	World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere			G, SB	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
MAT206	Elements of Statistics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT14+, or MAT15+, or MAT187, or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair.		CS	3
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
GCU121 or GCU122	World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere			G, SB	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
(GPH111 and GPH112) or GPH113	(Introduction to Physical Geography Lecture and Introduction to Physical Geography Lab) or Introduction to Physical Geography	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GPH111 or Corequisites: GPH111. or No requisites	SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	FYC	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success			1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GCU102	Introduction to Human Geography		Critical course Gateway course	G, SB	3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG100LL or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113)] or a grade of B or better in ALT100 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT14+	College Mathematics		OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
GCU121 or GCU122	World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere			G, SB	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or L	3
GCU121 or GCU122	World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere			G, SB	3

Term 5 Term 5 Term 5 Term 5 Term 5 Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5 Term 5 Term 5 Term 5 Term 5 Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GPH211 or (GPH212 and GPH214) or (GPH213 and GPH215)	Landform Processes or (Introduction to Meteorology I and Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory I) or (Climate and Weather and Climate and Weather Laboratory)	No requisites or No requisites and Corequisites: GPH212. or No requisites and Corequisites: GPH213.		SQ or SG	4
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Related Area Course	Related Area Course		Select a course that transfers to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in the following ASU course prefixes: ASM, GCU, GIS, GPH, POS, PUP, SGS, SOC, or SOS.		3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 6 Term 6 Term 6 Term 6 Term 6 Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6 Term 6 Term 6 Term 6 Term 6 Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Related Area	Related Area Course		Select a course that transfers to ASU as a direct equivalency or departmental elective in the following ASU course prefixes: ASM, GCU, GIS, GPH, POS, PUP, SGS, SOC, or SOS.		3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
GIS211	Geographic Information Science I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in GIS205 or permission of Instructor.		CS	4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 7 Term 7 Term 7 Term 7 Term 7 Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7 Term 7 Term 7 Term 7 Term 7 Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
GIS205	Geographic Information Technologies			CS	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
MAT206	Elements of Statistics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT14+, or MAT15+, or MAT187, or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair.		CS	3
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 8 Term 8 Term 8 Term 8 Term 8 Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8 Term 8 Term 8 Term 8 Term 8 Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option			0–4
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level	See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Elective	Elective			3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5
Elective	Elective			3
Elective	Elective			3
Second Language	Second Language Requirement, 202 LevelAny 202 Level language Course	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective.		3–5

Term 9 Term 9 Term 9 Term 9 Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9 Term 9 Term 9 Term 9 Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3
L or Elective	Literacy & Critical Inquiry or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by CRE101 OR COM225	L	3

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=176518).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography