Geography
Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) Geography · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Students graduating with an Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer Degree are well positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Geography AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.
The Geography Department at Orange Coast College is a comprehensive program that facilitates the success of general education students and geography majors by offering lower-division geography courses. The Geography Program offers students a variety of courses in physical, cultural, regional, and applied geography. Students gain the ability to analyze geographical issues, read and interpret maps, and develop the skills to communicate local, national, and international geographic phenomena to others.
Program Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
- Geography classes prepare students so that they may: understand the world geographically, acquire a geographic framework for the contemporary world, and utilize a unique spatial perspective
- Students gain the ability to analyze geographical issues, read and interpret maps, and develop the skills to communicate local, national, and international geographic phenomena to others.
- Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements
The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:
- Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
- Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
- Certified completion of the Cal-GETC/Breadth.
- A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
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| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GEOG A180 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| orGEOG A180H | Physical Geography Honors | |
| GEOG A180L | Physical Geography Lab | 1 |
| GEOG A185 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| orGEOG A100 | World Regional Geography | |
| orGEOG A100H | World Regional Geography Honors | |
| List A: Complete 6-7 units from the following list or Core courses not already used: | 6-7 | |
| GEOG A130 | Introduction to Weather & Climate | |
| GEOG A150 | California Geography | |
| GEOG A190 | Digital Mapping: Introduction to GIS | |
| GEOG A198 | Regional Field Studies in Geography | |
| List B: Complete 6-10 units from the following or from courses not already used in List A: | 6-10 | |
| ANTH A100 | Cultural Anthropology | |
| orANTH A100H | Cultural Anthropology Honors | |
| BIOL A100 | Principles of Biology | |
| orBIOL A100H | Principles of Biology Honors | |
| BIOL A185 | Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | |
| CHEM A180 | General Chemistry A | |
| ECON C2001 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| orECON C2001H | Principles of Microeconomics - Honors | |
| ECON C2002 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| orECON C2002H | Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors | |
| GEOL A105 | General Geology | |
| orGEOL A105H | General Geology Honors | |
| GEOL A110 | Physical Geology | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| orPSYC A160 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | |
| MATH A180 | Calculus 1 | |
| orMATH A180H | Calculus 1 Honors | |
| POLS C1000 | American Government and Politics | |
| orPOLS C1000H | American Government and Politics Honors | |
| Total Major Units | 19-24 | |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) | up to 34 | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Degree Units | 60 | |
- Some Program major units may also meet GE requirements.
Program Sequence - Cal-GETC
Program Sequence - Cal-GETC
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| GEOG A100 | World Regional Geography |
| HIST C1001or HIST C1001Hor HIST C1002or HIST C1002H | History of the United States to 1877 1or History of the United States to 1877 - Honorsor United States History since 1865 or United States History since 1865 - Honors |
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE 2 | 3-5 |
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 3A - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| GEOG A180or GEOG A180H |
| GEOG A180L |
| GEOG A185 |
| ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) |
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE |
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE |
| Summer |
|---|
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| POLS C1000or POLS C1000H |
| ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) |
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE |
| CAL-GETC GE AREA 5B - CHOOSE ONE |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| ADT List B Course (See Requirements) - CHOOSE TWO 4 |
| ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 5 |
- American Institutions Requirement - Cal-GETC GE AREA 3B and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from Cal-GETC GE AREA 3B
- Area 2 depends on transfer campus - STAT C1000, PSYC A160 and MATH 180/H double counts as ADT List B; STAT C1000 OR PSYC A160 recommended.
- American Institutions Requirement - Cal-GETC GE AREA 4, CSU Graduation Requirement, AND ADT List B requirement OR take another course from Cal-GETC GE AREA 4 and choose a different course for ADT List B (see requirements).
- POLS C1000/H, STAT C1000, PSYC A160 or MATH A180/H count as ADT List B. If none of those courses are selected to satisfy Cal-GETC GE Area 2 or 4, choose two courses from ADT List B.
- VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS. Not all courses are UC transferable. Please check with your counselor to ensure you have enough transferable units for your transfer goal.