Geography Associate of Arts
Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete the first two years of a Bachelor's degree at the community college and transfer to a university to complete a BA in Geography. Students learn to describe and analyze physical and cultural landscape. Students will explore the earth's surface features and climate, how humans are distributed and the ways in which humans interact with their environment. The program also delves into all aspects of the physical and cultural landscape. This program is designed for students wanting to complete the first two years of a Bachelor's degree and transfer to a university to complete a BA in Geography. Careers often require a Bachelor's degree.
Learn more about this program.
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| GT-MA1 | Any Mathematics (GT-MA1). Prefer: Intro to Statistics (MAT 1260) | 3 |
| GEO 1006 | Human Geography: GT-SS2 | 3 |
| GEO 1011 | Physical Geography: Landforms w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester Notes: GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 may be taken in either order. GEO 1011 is offered Fall at Larimer Campus and Spring at Westminster Campus. GEO 1012 is offered Spring at Larimer Campus and Fall at Westminster Campus. Both GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 are available as online classes all semesters, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that works best for your schedule.
*For Approved Elective List courses, a maximum of 6 credits may be in Geography (GEO) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses.
Second Semester
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| GEO 1012 | Phys Geo: Weather, Climate, Eco w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| GT- HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1). Prefer: Western Civilization: 1650 - Present (HIS 1320) or The World: 1500 - Present (HIS 1120) | 3 |
| GT-SS1 or GT-SS3 | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS1 or GT-SS3). Prefer: International Relations (PSC 2005) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2001) or Issues in Environmental Economics (ECO 2045) | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester Notes: GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 may be taken in either order. GEO 1011 is offered Fall at Larimer Campus and Spring at Westminster Campus. GEO 1012 is offered Spring at Larimer Campus and Fall at Westminster Campus. Both GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 are available as online classes all semesters, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that works best for your schedule.
*For Approved Elective List courses, a maximum of 6 credits may be in Geography (GEO) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses.
Third Semester
| GEO 1005 | World Regional Geography: GT-SS2 | 3 |
| GT-SC1 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| GT-SS1 or GT-SS3 | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS1 or GT-SS3). Prefer: International Relations (PSC 2005) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2001) or Issues in Environmental Economics (ECO 2045) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Fourth Semester
Semester Note: *For Approved Elective List courses, a maximum of 6 credits may be in Geography (GEO) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses.
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| GEO 1006 | Human Geography: GT-SS2 | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| GT-MA1 | Any Mathematics (GT-MA1). Prefer: Intro to Statistics (MAT 1260) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: If you take more credits in Mathematics and/or Science than are listed, it will reduce the 15 credits of electives needed.
Spring Semester 2
Summer Semester 3
Fall Semester 4
| GEO 1011 | Physical Geography: Landforms w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| GT-SS1 or GT-SS3 | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS1 or GT-SS3). Prefer: International Relations (PSC 2005) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2001) or Issues in Environmental Economics (ECO 2045) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester Notes: GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 may be taken in either order. GEO 1011 is offered Fall at Larimer Campus and Spring at Westminster Campus. GEO 1012 is offered Spring at Larimer Campus and Fall at Westminster Campus. Both GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 are available as online classes all semesters, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that works best for your schedule.
Spring Semester 5
| GEO 1012 | Phys Geo: Weather, Climate, Eco w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| GT-SS1 or GT-SS3 | Any Social & Behavioral Science (GT-SS1 or GT-SS3). Prefer: International Relations (PSC 2005) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2001) or Issues in Environmental Economics (ECO 2045) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester Notes: GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 may be taken in either order. GEO 1011 is offered Fall at Larimer Campus and Spring at Westminster Campus. GEO 1012 is offered Spring at Larimer Campus and Fall at Westminster Campus. Both GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 are available as online classes all semesters, giving you the flexibility to choose the option that works best for your schedule.
Summer Semester 6
Semester Note: *For Approved Elective List courses, a maximum of 6 credits may be in Geography (GEO) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses.
Fall Semester 7
| GT-SC1 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| GT- HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1). Prefer: Western Civilization: 1650 - Present (HIS 1320) or The World: 1500 - Present (HIS 1120) | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester Note: *For Approved Elective List courses, a maximum of 6 credits may be in Geography (GEO) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses.
Spring Semester 8
| GT-SC1 or GT-SC2 | Any Natural & Physical Lab Science (GT-SC1) or Natural & Physical Non-Lab Science (GT-SC2). Prefer: Global Climate Change (GEO 1060) | 3 |
| Approved Elective List | Any Approved Elective List Course* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Semester Note: *For Approved Elective List courses, a maximum of 6 credits may be in Geography (GEO) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) and ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) and gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).
Per the STAA, MSU Denver requires MAT 1260 or MAT 1340 for transfer
Per the STAA, if GEO 1011, GEO 1012, GEO 1005, and GEO 1006 courses are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credits toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Per the STAA, for the 15 elective credits, a maximum of 6 credits may be in GEO or GIS prefix.
You may take GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 in either Semester 1 or Semester 2. You should take the course that is offered at your preferred campus or online depending on course availability. GEO 1011 is offered Fall at Larimer Campus and Spring at Westminster Campus. GEO 1012 is offered Spring at Larimer Campus and Fall at Westminster Campus. Both GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 are available as online classes all semesters. Campus offerings vary by semester. You must take BOTH GEO 1011 and GEO 1012 to successfully complete the AA degree in Geography.
If you take more credits in Mathematics and/or Science than are listed, it will reduce the 15 credits of electives needed.
You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.