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

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Notes

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

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

What You'll Learn

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.

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 Arizona-based 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

$93,710 Show expanded career information for Atmospheric and Space Scientists

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

$63,420 Show expanded career information for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Climate Change Policy Analysts

$66,390 Show expanded career information for Climate Change Policy Analysts

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

$66,390 Show expanded career information for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Forest and Conservation Workers

$33,520 Show expanded career information for Forest and Conservation Workers

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

$66,710 Show expanded career information for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Geographers

$70,410 Show expanded career information for Geographers

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

$84,250 Show expanded career information for Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

$92,920 Show expanded career information for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Hydrologists

$102,520 Show expanded career information for Hydrologists

Surveyors

$64,450 Show expanded career information for Surveyors

Urban and Regional Planners

$75,250 Show expanded career information for Urban and Regional Planners

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

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 Degree Progress Report Tool in your 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, Geography, Environment, and Society
University of Arizona, Bachelor of Science, Geography (all emphases) and Bachelor of Science, Urban and Regional Development
University of Arizona, Bachelor of Arts, Geography

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 1Term 1Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
			Critical course Gateway course	G, SB	3
( and ) or	( and ) or	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or Corequisites: . or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).		FYC or FYC	3
			OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
or	or				1–3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or			G, SB or G, SB	3
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		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
( and ) or	( and ) or	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or Corequisites: . or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
or Elective	or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the elementary level (102 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
( and ) or	( and ) or	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or Corequisites: . or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or			G, SB or G, SB	3
or ( and ) or ( and )	or ( and ) or ( and )	No requisites or No requisites and Corequisites: . or No requisites and Corequisites: .		SQ or SQ in combo w/ GPH214 and SQ in combo w/ GPH212 or SG in combo w/ GPH215 and SG in combo w/ GPH213	4
				HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		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 or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.		CS	4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the elementary level (102 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
				CS	3
				HU	3
or Elective	or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				3
			[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L	3
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
or	or			G, SB or G, SB	3
or Elective	or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair.		CS	3
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				3
Elective	Elective				3
or Elective	or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
or	or			G, SB or G, SB	3
or Elective	or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	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
( and ) or	( and ) or	No requisites and Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or Corequisites: . or No requisites	SQ in combo w/ GPH112 and SQ in combo w/ GPH111 or SQ	4
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).	FYC or FYC	3
or	or			1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
			Critical course Gateway course	G, SB	3
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in 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
			OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area	MA	3–6
or	or			G, SB or 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
or or or	or or or	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	3
or	or			G, SB or G, SB	3

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5Term 5Term 5Term 5Term 5Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or ( and ) or ( and )	or ( and ) or ( and )	No requisites or No requisites and Corequisites: . or No requisites and Corequisites: .		SQ or SQ in combo w/ GPH214 and SQ in combo w/ GPH212 or SG in combo w/ GPH215 and SG in combo w/ GPH213	4
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		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 or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
or Elective	or Elective		[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the elementary level (102 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
				HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		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 or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or permission of Instructor.		CS	4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the elementary level (102 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7Term 7Term 7Term 7Term 7Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
				CS	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option				0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or equivalent, or an appropriate District placement, or permission of Department/Division Chair.		CS	3
Elective	Elective				3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective		Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

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

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8Term 8Term 8Term 8Term 8Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
			HU	3
Transfer Option	Transfer Option			0–4
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective	See your program advisor to determine if your transfer option requires language proficiency
Elective	Elective			3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective	Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5
Elective	Elective			3
Elective	Elective			3
Second Language or Elective	Second Language Requirement, 202 LevelAny 202 Level language Course or Elective	Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).		0–5

Term 9Term 9Term 9Term 9Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9Term 9Term 9Term 9Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
or Elective	or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
or Elective	or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
or Elective	or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
or Elective	or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	3
or Elective	or Elective	[L] required if not satisfied by OR	L or None	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 for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

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.

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