Geography is distinctive in its linking of both social science and physical science. How well do we understand the world? What is our relationship to the natural world? How have our history, economies, and cultures been affected by the resources and landscapes that surround us?  A geographer looks at the world and asks why? Why do so many people live in the mid latitudes? Why does California have fog? Why has the economy of China grown from the periphery to the core in a few short decades? How are weather and climate different? Why is the San Joaquin Valley in California so fertile and how has that soil fertility added to our cultural and ethnic diversity? Why are the mountains of Santa Barbara filled with sandstone while the Klamath Mountains are jagged granite? If you are fascinated by the social and physical environment, or if you enjoy studying the Earth, if you are interested in a career outside or in the high tech industry, then this field of study may be for you!

Coursework in geography is expansive, exciting, and has a little something for everyone. Geographers study the natural environment which includes the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, pedosphere, and hydrosphere. A geographer also studies the human environment. How have cultures, economies, religions, languages, and other human systems developed as a result of their location? Finally, a geographer needs to understand Geographic Information Systems (GIS), how to map using satellite images and data, remote sensing, and qualitative and quantitative data. This coursework prepares students for a wide range of jobs in the public and private sphere. There is rapid growth in the field of geography. Geographers work in natural resource management, urban planning, marketing, fire ecology, remote sensing, watershed management, energy planning, food security, real estate, criminology, emergency services, data science, technology, public health, scientific research, social justice, and many other areas. Geography courses are also useful for transfer students in fields of study outside geography.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Geography provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major, and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors.

Students should consult with an academic counselor when choosing electives in order to develop a program of study that is best suited to their specific needs. For example, requirements for the baccalaureate degree in Geography vary from one institution to another. It is, therefore, essential to become familiar with the requirements of the institution that a student plans to attend.

Visit https://adegreewithaguarantee.com/ for more information about these degrees. 

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

1. All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or "P" in each course.
2. Cal-GETC pattern.
3. At least 60 CSU transferable semester units.
4. Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
5. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC. 

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 ERTH 171/172 are the same as GEOG 171/172.

Students are advised to consult the CSU ADT Major & Campus Search database to determine which bachelor's degree programs offered by the CSU campuses are deemed similar to the AA-T in Geography.   Students are also advised to consult ASSIST (www.assist.org) and to meet with an academic counselor to discuss the best combination of courses to take for their AA-T to ensure they receive the admission benefits associated with it, and to meet the requirements of the transfer institution to which they are intending to transfer.   

1. Describe and assess Earth’s physical processes and their impacts on human culture and activities.
2. Describe and assess human cultural and economic activities and their impacts on Earth’s physical environment.
3. Identify and implement the methods and technologies used in geographic spatial analysis (ex. GIS, remote sensing, spatial statistics, cartography and map analysis).

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.