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Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Geography provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in human and/or physical geography. Graduates of this associate degree program can work as cartographers, land surveyors, GIS analysts, and forest and conservation workers. With a bachelor's degree, students can pursue a number of careers, including geographers, hydrologists, GIS technicians and technologists, and forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students can pursue careers as atmospheric and space scientists, environmental scientists, geoscientists, climate change analysts, urban planners, and geography professors.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8113
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This program is intended to align with the following university requirements:

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Geography, BS

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Geography, BA

NAU, Geography, Environment, and Society, BS

U of A, Geography, BA

U of A, Geography, BS

U of A, Urban and Regional Development, BS

Refer to the for more information: , , .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Evaluate spatial patterns and relationships within the framework of the scientific method.
  • Examine the interdependent relationships between the physical and human/cultural environment (such as landforms, climate, resources, political and economic systems, sociology, sustainability).
  • Critically assess and analyze real-world issues through application of geographic concepts, systems, principles, and theories.
  • Communicate geographic analyses through verbal, written, and/or geospatial techniques.
  • Recognize ethical considerations encompassing the professional activities of geographers.
  • Collaborate with diverse individuals, groups, and institutions to achieve common goals in the field of geography.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists
$93,710
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$63,420
Climate Change Policy Analysts
$66,390
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$66,390
Forest and Conservation Workers
$33,520
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
$66,710
Geographers
$70,410
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
$84,250
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$92,920
Hydrologists
$102,520
Surveyors
$64,450
Urban and Regional Planners
$75,250

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

  • Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Critical course Gateway course G, SB 3
( and
) or
 ( and ) or SQ or SQ 4
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
3
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
or
or
or
 or or or SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
Elective General Electives 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
( and
) or
( and
)		 or ( and ) or ( and ) SQ or SQ or SG 4
HU 3
Elective General Electives 3
Elective General Electives 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS 3
HU 3
L 3
Elective General Electives 3
Elective General Electives 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Critical course Gateway course G, SB 3
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
or
 or FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
( and
) or
 ( and ) or SQ or SQ 4
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
Elective General Electives 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
3
or
or
or
 or or or SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
Elective General Electives 0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
( and
) or
( and
)		 or ( and ) or ( and ) SQ or SQ or SG 4
HU 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS 3
Elective General Electives 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU 3
Elective General Electives 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
L 3
Elective General Electives 3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the  for more information.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.