Geography
Program Description: The Associate of Arts degree in Geography is intended to match, within the constraints of the Core Curriculum, the course of study for the first two years of a typical Geography program at a four-year college or university. It also provides the flexibility for students desiring only an associate degree to specialize the program to individual interests.
Use this Program Map as an advising guide to choose courses with your advisor and track progress toward milestones and completion of the degree program. The map provides students a suggested course sequence to timely program completion.
SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER PROGRAM PLAN FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters
| Semester 1 | Min Credits | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | Select a course from the Communication core area. | Core |
| GEOG 1301 - Physical Geography | 3 | Area of Concentration | Core |
| HIST 1301 | 3 | Or select a course from the American History core area. | Core |
| Creative Arts Core Course | 3 | Select a course from the Creative Arts core area. | Core |
| Life and Physical Science Core Course | 4 | Select a course from the Life and Physical Sciences core area. Students should check with their senior institution for which one to take. | Core |
| 16 | Program Semester Hours / Meet with your advisor | ||
| Semester 2 | Min Credits | Notes | |
| MATH 1324 - Business Mathematics I | 3 | Or select a course from the Math core area. Students should check with their senior institution for which one to take. | Core |
| ENGL 1302 | 3 | Or select a course from the Communication core area. | Core |
| Life and Physical Science Core Course | 4 | Select a course from the Life and Physical Sciences core area. Students should check with their senior institution for which one to take. | Core |
| HIST 1302 | 3 | Or select a course from the American History core area. | Core |
| GEOG 1302 or GEOG 1303 | 3 | Area of concentration | Core |
| 16 | Program Semester Hours / Meet with your advisor | ||
| Semester 3 | Min Credits | Notes | |
| SPCH 1315 | 3 | Or select a from the Component Area of the core. | Core |
| ECON 2301 - Macroeconomics | 3 | Area of Concentration | |
| GOVT 2305 - Federal Government | 3 | Core | |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture Course | 3 | Select a course from the Language, Philosophy and Culture core. | Core |
| PHED 1164 - Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness | 1 | Or select a from the Component Area Option | |
| 13 | Program Semester Hours / Meet with your advisor | ||
| Semester 4 | Min Credits | Notes | |
| GEOG 1303 - World Geography | 3 | Area of Concentration | Core |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | Restricted electives must be chosen from among the following courses: GOVT 2389, ECON 2302, ANTH 2351, GEOG 2470 | |
| GOVT 2306 - Texas Government | 3 | Core | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | Restricted electives must be chosen from among the following courses: GOVT 2389, ECON 2302, ANTH 2351, GEOG 2470 | |
| Social & Behavioral Science Core Course | 3 | Select a course from the Social & Behavioral Science core area. | Core |
| 15 | Program Semester Hours | ||
| ACHIEVEMENT: Completion of Associate of Arts degree | |||
| Total Program Hours | 60 |
Attention: Students must visit with an advisor when they have completed 30 hours toward the degree plan (typically the end of the second semester).
Marketable Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Communicate Effectively
- Practice personal and social responsibility
- Demonstrate social, cultural, and global competencies
- Prepare to engage in life-long learning
Transfer Information
The Associate of Arts in Geography degree provides a pathway to transfer to a four-year college or university where students can earn a baccalaureate degree. Students are strongly encouraged to select a transfer destination by the time they have completed 30 semester credit hours. Students should consult with their chosen transfer institution regarding recommended courses that will transfer and be applied to their baccalaureate degree program.
Common majors students pursue at a 4-year institution include: Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Geographic Information Science & Technology, and Environmental Geosciences
Transfer Guides: The universities listed here do not constitute Blinn endorsement. All transfer course evaluations and determination of what courses will count toward a bachelor’s degree are made by the receiving transfer institution.
Texas A&M University: https://admissions.tamu.edu/transfer/majors
Texas State University: https://www.admissions.txstate.edu/future-students/transfer/tpg.html
For more information on program transfer information to four-year institutions visit Blinn’s transfer information site: https://www.blinn.edu/transfer-information
Blinn College Transfer Resources:
Employment Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook- US Department of Labor
Career Information
A degree in Geography will prepare you for many types of careers in private industry, government, non-profits, research, and higher education.
Common careers students pursue with a Geography degree include: K-12 educator or higher education instructor and researcher, Climatologist, Environmental Scientist, Park Naturalist, Zoologist, Forest Fire Inspector, Real Estate Appraiser, Policy Researcher, Urban Planner, Cartographer, Geospatial Information Scientist and Technologist, Geointelligence Specialist, Soil Scientist, GIS Technician, Land Surveyor, Geological and Petroleum Technicians.
Regional Labor Market Information: A GIS Analyst in Bryan, TX with the Texas Department of Transportation earns between $45,000 and $84,000 per year. A Park Superintendent with Texas Parks and Wildlife earns between $64,000 and $70,000 per year.