AS in Geography

Program Description

The Greek derivation of the word geography is "earth description." Geography studies natural features such as mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, forests, deserts, and grasslands, as well as human-made features such as cities, roads, dams, and bridges. Geography examines how human societies dynamically interact with each other and the environment, including how they are affected by a changing climate. Geography is truly an integrated discipline. Geography is central to an understanding of the international global arena and provides an exciting and challenging way to examine our planet.

Learn more about the program on the Geography website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to interpret spatially distributed data and draw valid conclusions by using maps, graphs, and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Students will be able to evaluate core concepts in cultural and physical geography and apply them to contemporary events and issues.

Career Opportunities

Geography serves as an excellent undergraduate major. City, county, and state governments are hiring geographers in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban planning, and environmental studies because of their broad training. A geography degree also provides a good foundation for careers in international work with agencies such as the State Department, the United Nations, or international NGOs. The national mapping division of the United States Geological Survey traditionally needs geographers in map making and its related job openings such as photo-interpretation, satellite image analysis, land use, and land cover mapping. In addition, the analytical skills gained through a geography major provide a strong foundation for graduate study in law, urban planning, and architecture. Geographers with advanced degrees are also in demand in colleges and universities around the world. Students should enhance their major with a strong array of courses in the international arena, statistics, physical sciences, computer science, and basic business principles.

Award Type(s)

AS = Associate in Science Degree

Units Required

Major: 33

Additional Information

Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Visit Online Schedule

For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.

Visit Counseling Division

If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Office.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to complete the associate degree, including:

Core and support courses for the major (33 units total)
Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
- Foothill College General Education
- Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)**
- Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)**
- Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)***

* Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

** Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.

*** Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

ONLINE COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
GEOG 1	Physical Geography	5
GEOG 2	Human Geography	4
GEOG 10	World Regional Geography	4
GEOG 11	Introduction to Mapping & Spatial Reasoning	4
or GIST 11	Introduction to Mapping & Spatial Reasoning	4

Support Courses

ONLINE COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
Select 8 units from the following:
ANTH 2A	Cultural Anthropology	4
or ANTH 2AH	Honors Cultural Anthropology	4
or ANTH 2B	Patterns of Culture	4
ECON 25	The Global Economy	4
or ECON 25H	Honors The Global Economy	4
GEOG 12	Introduction to Geospatial Technology	4
or GIST 12	Introduction to Geospatial Technology	4
GEOG 20	Introduction to Earth Science	4
GLST 1	Introduction to Global Studies	4
or GLST 1H	Honors Introduction to Global Studies	4
GLST 2	Global Issues	4
HIST 4A	History of Western Civilization to 800 CE	4
or HIST 4B	History of Western Civilization: 700-1800	4
or HIST 4C	History of Western Civilization: 1789-Present	4
POLI 15	International Relations/World Politics	4
or POLI 15H	Honors International Relations/World Politics	4
And 8 Units from the following: *
ANTH 6	Perspectives from Africa	4
HIST 8	History of Latin America	4
HIST 18	Introduction to Middle Eastern Civilization	4
HIST 20	History of Russia & the Soviet Union	4
POLI 2	Comparative Government & Politics	4
or POLI 2H	Honors Comparative Government & Politics	4
Total Units		33

* Students may also use courses listed in the first section of support courses to fulfill the requirement for the second section of support courses.

Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.

For a complete list of degree requirements, please visit Geography 2025-2026 Degree & Certificates.

Based on the 2025- 2026 degree program.

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