Geography

Social & Behavioral Sciences

A degree in geography can help you better understand human cultures, natural environments, and how humans interact with each other and with the natural world. Geographers use knowledge and technology, working outside in the field and on computers, to help businesses, governments, and non-profits solve problems in an increasingly complex and globalizing world. 

View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates

Jobs in the 21st century demand workers who understand the complex relationships between people, places, and environments all over the world. Geography helps us understand these relationships by examining patterns of why natural and cultural phenomena happen where they happen. 

Students completing degrees in geography help governments make planning decisions, support non-profit organizations combatting environmental and humanitarian problems, aid businesses in more effectively serving their customers, and more.

Geography emphasizes learning through first-hand observation in the field and is at the forefront of important technologies like computer-based mapping and the gathering and interpretation of satellite imagery. 

Program Length

Students taking 12-15 units per semester can complete a degree in geography in four semesters (plus one summer Field Studies course if desired to fulfill degree requirements; this requirement can also be fulfilled by a class taken during the Fall or Spring semesters)

Transfer Options

Many public four-year universities in California offer bachelor’s degrees in geography. Students completing associates degrees in geography can easily transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree in two more years from an institution offering geography programs, such as UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, San Diego State, San Francisco State, and more. 

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Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

  • This is only a sample academic plan.  Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 10* Introduction to Statistics2A3
GEOG 3 or 3HWorld Regional Geography4 & Major3
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1C3
ArtsArts GE Course 3A3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
WR 2College Writing Critical Thinking 1B4
GEOG 1Physical Geography5A & Major3
GEOG 1LPhysical Geography Laboratory5C & Major1
GEOG 2Cultural Geography4 & Major3
HumanitiesHumanities GE Course 3B3
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 102Geography Field Studies: Western United States (Summer Only) (Recommended Course: However, Non-UC Transferable)2
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnit3s
GEOG 20Global Environmental Problems (Fall Only)4 & Major3
Life ScienceLife Science GE Course5B3
Major/ElectiveUC Transfer Major or Elective CourseVarious3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)33
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)33
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleIGETC Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 10Introduction to Weather and Climate (Spring Only)Major3
GEOG 12Introduction to GIS (Spring Only)2
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE Course3A or 3B3
Major/ElectiveUC Transfer Major or Elective CourseVarious 3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)3
Transfer ElectiveUC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99)1
  1. Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the UC transfer math requirement in IGETC GE Area 2A
  • Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Language Other than English requirement necessary to meet Full IGETC Certification.
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 1A24
MATH 10* Introduction to StatisticsB43
GEOG 3World Regional GeographyD & Major3
Learning & Self DevLifelong Learning and Self Development GE CourseE3
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)1-3
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
COMM 1Communication FundamentalsA13
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking GE CourseA33-4
GEOG 1Physical GeographyB1 & Major3
GEOG 1LPhysical Geography LaboratoryB3 & Major1
GEOG 2Cultural GeographyD & Major3
ArtsArts GE Course C13
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 102Geography Field Studies: Western United States (Summer Only) (Recommended Elective)2
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
GEOG MajorGeography AA-T Major Course from List AMajor3
GEOG MajorGeography AA-T Major Course from List AD & Major3
HIST 20 or HIST 21American History CourseC23
Life ScienceLife Science GE CourseB23
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleCSU GE Area/MajorUnits
GEOG MajorGeography AA-T Major Course from List A or BMajor3
GEOG MajorGeography AA-T Major Course from List A or BMajor3
PS 1American GovernmentD3
Arts/HumanitiesArts or Humanities GE CourseC1 or C23
Transfer ElectiveCSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199)1-3
  1. Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the CSU transfer math requirement in CSU GE Area B4.
  • This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
WR 1College Writing 11A4
MATH 10*Introduction to Statistics23
GEOG 2Cultural Geography5 & Major3
GEOG 3World Regional GeographyMajor3
Lifelong Health**Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course9 A/B/C1
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking GE Course1C3-4
COMM 1Communication Fundamentals1B3
GEOG 1Physical Geography3 & Major3
GEOG 1LPhysical Geography LaboratoryMajor1
GEOG 10 or GEOG 12Introduction To Weather and Climate or Introduction to GIS (Spring Only)Major2-3
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 102Geography Field Studies: Western United States (Summer Only)2
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 20Global Environmental Problems (Fall Only)Major3
HumanitiesHumanities GE Course63
Fine Arts Fine Arts GE Course73
Lifelong Health*Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course9 A/B/C3
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
CourseTitleAA GE Area/MajorUnits
GEOG 3World Regional Geography4 & Major3
GEOG 38California Geography (Spring Only)4 & Major3
American InstitutionsAmerican Institutions GE Course83
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)3
ElectiveDegree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299)2-3
  1. Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the AA general education math requirement in GE Area 2.
  2. Take one course from two different categories among GE areas 9A, 9B, and 9C. Please refer to the AA GE pattern for details.  

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

  • AA = Associate of Arts
  • AS = Associate of Science
  • AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
  • AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
  • COA = Certificate of Achievement
  • COP = Certificate of Proficiency

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Not sure if Geography is the right fit?

That's OK!

Begin with the Exploratory Interest Area and explore Geography while still working toward your academic goals.

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Or speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.

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