Academic Catalogs

Geography, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Banner Code: 1_AAT_GEOG

Control Number: 32205

Financial Aid Eligible


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. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.

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

  1. Prepare students to understand the world geographically, acquire a geographic framework for the contemporary world, and utilize and unique spatial perspective.
  2. Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth — Option 2) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC — Option 3).
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
GEOG A180/A180HPhysical Geography3
GEOG A180LPhysical Geography Lab1
GEOG A185Cultural Geography3
List A
Select at least six units of the following (if not already used above):6-8
GEOG A100/A100H
World Regional Geography
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
Select at least six units of the following (if not already used above):6-9
ANTH A100
Cultural Anthropology
BIOL A100
Principles of Biology
CHEM A180
General Chemistry A
CS A170
Java Programming 1
GEOG A100/A100H
World Regional Geography
GEOG A130
Introduction to Weather & Climate
GEOG A150
California Geography
GEOG A190
Digital Mapping: Introduction to GIS
GEOG A198
Regional Field Studies in Geography
GEOL A110
Physical Geology
MATH A160
Introduction to Statistics
MATH A180/A180H
Calculus 1
PSCI A180/A180H
American Government
Program Major Units19-24
CSU or IGETC for CSU 37-39
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement Varies
Total Units 60

Program Sequence - CSU

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
GEOG A185 Cultural Geography 3
CSU GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA B4 - CHOOSE ONE 1 3-4
CSU GE AREA E - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units12-13
Semester 2
GEOG A180
or GEOG A180H
 Physical Geography
or Physical Geography Honors
 3
GEOG A180L Physical Geography Lab 1
CSU GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA A3 - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 3
ADT List A Course- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 2 3
 Units16-17
Year 2
Semester 1
PSCI A180
or PSCI A180H
 American Government 3
or American Government Honors
 3
CSU GE AREA B2 no lab - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ADT List A Course- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 2 2-3
ADT List B Course- CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) or ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 4 2-5
 Units13-17
Semester 2
HIST A170
or HIST A170H
or HIST A175
or HIST A175H
 History of the United States to 1876 3
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
 3
CSU GE AREA C1 or C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA F - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 5 10
 Units19
 Total Units60-66
1

Math depends on transfer campus - MATH 160 and MATH 180 double counts as ADT List B

2

6 units required for List A

3

American Ideals Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement

4

can choose elective if Math from previous semester was chosen from List B and CSU GE AREA B4, 6 units required for List A

5

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

Program Sequence - IGETC

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
GEOG A185 Cultural Geography 3
HIST A170
or HIST A170H
or HIST A175
or HIST A175H
 History of the United States to 1876 1
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
 3
IGETC GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE 2 3-4
 Units12-13
Semester 2
GEOG A180
or GEOG A180H
 Physical Geography
or Physical Geography Honors
 3
GEOG A180L Physical Geography Lab 1
IGETC GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
IGETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 3 3
IGETC GE AREA 3A - CHOOSE ONE 3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 4 3
 Units16-17
Year 2
Semester 1
PSCI A180
or PSCI A180H
 American Government 5
or American Government Honors
 3
IGETC GE AREA 5B no lab - CHOOSE ONE 3
LOTE: Foreign Language or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 6 3-5
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 4 3
 Units15-17
Semester 2
IGETC GE AREA 3A or 3B - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 7 8
ADT List B Course (See Requirements) - CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 8 3
 Units17
 Total Units60-64
1

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 3B and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 3B 

2

Area 2 depends on transfer campus - MATH 160 and MATH 180 double counts as ADT List B

3

IGETC GE AREA 1C- CSU Requirement

4

6 units required for List A

5

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 4 and CSU Graduation Requirement, and List B for ADT OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 4 and List B for ADT

6

LOTE Requirement for UC only. If met LOTE through HS then take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units 

7

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

8

If you chose MATH A160 or MATH A180 for IGETC GE Area 2, you can choose elective units.