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Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
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.
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 combating 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.
Transfer, 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 and check ASSIST.org to create a customized academic plan that will best meet your specific educational goals.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL C1000 (WR 1) | Academic Reading and Writing | 1A | 4 |
| STAT C1000 (MATH 10)* | Introduction to Statistics | 2 & Major | 4 |
| GEOG 3 or 3H | World Regional Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
| COMM C1000 (COMM 1) | Introduction to Public Speaking | 1C | 3 |
| TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transferable Elective | 2-3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL C1001 (WR 2) | College Writing Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
| GEOG 1 | Physical Geography | 5A & Major | 3 |
| GEOG 1L | Physical Geography Laboratory | 5C & Major | 1 |
| GEOG 2 | Cultural Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
| HUMANITIES | Humanities GE Course | 3B | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 102 | Geography Field Studies: Western United States (Summer Only) (Recommended Course: However, Non-UC Transferable) | 2 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Unit3s |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 20 | Global Environmental Problems (Fall Only) | 4 & Major | 3 |
| LIFE SCIENCE | Life Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
| MAJOR/ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Major or Elective Course | Various | 3 |
| ARTS | Arts GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Elective | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 10 | Introduction to Weather and Climate (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| GEOG 12 | Introduction to GIS (Spring Only) | 2 | |
| MAJOR/ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Major or Elective Course | Various | 3 |
| ETHNIC STUDIES | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 6 | 3 |
| TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Elective | 1 |
- Students can take STAT C1000 (MATH 10) or any other math course that meets the UC transfer math requirement in IGETC GE Area 2A
- This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor and check the catalog for full requirements.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL C1000 (WR 1) | Academic Reading and Writing | 1A | 4 |
| STAT C1000 (MATH 10)* | Introduction to Statistics | 2 | 3 |
| GEOG 3 | World Regional Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
| ARTS | Arts GE Course | 3A | 3 |
| TRANSFER ELECTIVE | CSU Transferable Elective | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM C1000 (COMM 1) | Introduction to Public Speaking | 1C | 3 |
| ENGL C1001 (WR2) | Critical Thinking and Writing | 1B | 4 |
| GEOG 1 | Physical Geography | 5A & Major | 3 |
| GEOG 1L | Physical Geography Laboratory | 5C & Major | 1 |
| GEOG 2 | Cultural Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 102 | Geography Field Studies: Western United States (Summer Only) (Recommended Elective) | 2 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG MAJOR | Geography AA-T Major Course from List A | Major | 3 |
| GEOG MAJOR | Geography AA-T Major Course from List A | Major | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | 3B | 3 |
| BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE | Biological Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
| ETHNIC STUDIES | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 6 | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG MAJOR | Geography AA-T Major Course from List A or B | Major | 3 |
| GEOG MAJOR | Geography AA-T Major Course from List A or B | Major | 3 |
| POLS C1000 (PS 1) | American Government | 4 | 3 |
| TRANSFER ELECTIVE | CSU Transferable Elective | 3 | |
| TRANSFER ELECTIVE | CSU Transferable Elective | 3 |
- Students can take STAT C1000 (MATH 10) or any other math course that meets the CSU transfer math requirement in CSU GE Area B4.
- IVC and CSU students who maintained continuous enrollment before Fall 2025 may continue following the CSU GE or IGETC GE pattern or choose to complete Cal-GETC, though it is not required. However, new students starting in Fall 2025, as well as students from UC, in-state private institutions, or out-of-state institutions, must complete Cal-GETC. To see the list of approved courses by catalog year for CSU GE, IGETC, and Cal-GETC, visit www.assist.org.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized academic plan that will best meet your specific educational goals.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL C1000 (WR 1) | Academic Reading and Writing | 1A | 4 |
| STAT C1000 (MATH 10)* | Introduction to Statistics | 2 | 3 |
| GEOG 2 | Cultural Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
| GEOG 3 | World Regional Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
| LIFELONG HEALTH ** | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 8 A/B/C | 2-3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | 1C | 3-4 |
| COMM C1000 (COMM 1) | Introduction to Public Speaking | 1B | 3 |
| GEOG 1 | Physical Geography | 5 & Major | 3 |
| GEOG 1L | Physical Geography Laboratory | 5 & Major | 1 |
| GEOG 10 or GEOG 12 | Introduction To Weather and Climate or Introduction to GIS (Spring Only) | Major | 2-3 |
| ELECTIVE | Degree Applicable Elective | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 102 | Geography Field Studies: Western United States (Summer Only) | 2 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 20 | Global Environmental Problems (Fall Only) | 4 & Major | 3 |
| HUMANITIES | Humanities GE Course | 3B | 3 |
| ARTS/LANGUAGES | Arts and Languages GE Course | 3A | 3 |
| LIFELONG HEALTH ** | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 8 A/B/C | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | Degree Applicable Elective | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG 3 | World Regional Geography | 4 & Major | 3 |
| GEOG 38 | California Geography (Spring Only) | 4 & Major | 3 |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS | American Institutions GE Course | 7 | 3 |
| ETHNIC STUDIES | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 6 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | Degree Applicable Elective | 3 |
- Students can take STAT C1000 (MATH 10) or any other math course that meets the AA general education math requirement in GE Area 2.
- Take one course from two different categories among GE areas 8A, 8B, and 8C. 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 | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Explore Careers
Not sure if Geography is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Geography while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
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