Geography

Overview

Completing the Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.) with a concentration in Geography prepares students for careers in the environmental sciences, social sciences, business, government, and education – fields that increasingly rely on global knowledge and spatial analysis.

The Geography concentration is designed to teach students about Earth’s physical environment and the diversity of human societies spread across it. Students will expand their global knowledge, visit environmentally and culturally significant places, develop map interpretation skills, explore map-making techniques, and acquire the ability to succeed at further studies or future careers.

This program will provide students opportunities to think globally, interpret and create maps, analyze quantitative and qualitative data, become well informed about international events, and develop the skills to decipher the natural world and human landscapes. Some coursework may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree by another institution.

Program Type

Associate in Arts

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

Apply Now

Questions?

Print Plan

Sample Program Plan and Costs

On-Campus Traditional. Classes meet on campus.
Virtual 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom.
Hybrid Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual.
Online 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time.
Semester Course ID Course Title Classroom Online Hybrid Virtual Credits
Semester 1
(15 Credit Hours)
COL-105 Freshman Seminar

Freshman Seminar

ID: COL-105

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college. The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills.

3
ENG-101 English Comp I

English Comp I

ID: ENG-101

Credit Hours: 3

This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.

3
MAT-120 Probability and Statistics

Probability and Statistics

ID: MAT-120

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,and test hypothesis for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. (Graphic calculator required)

3
GEO-102 World Geography

World Geography

ID: GEO-102

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes a geographic analysis of the regions of the world, i.e., North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Diversity of each region is emphasized by examining its physical environment, natural resources, social, cultural, economic and political systems.

3
ART-101 Art History and Appreciation

Art History and Appreciation

ID: ART-101

Credit Hours: 3

This is an introductory course to the history and appreciation of art, including the elements and principles of the visual arts.

3
Semester 2
(16 Credit Hours)
GEO-205 Physical Geography

Physical Geography

ID: GEO-205

Credit Hours: 4

This course introduces the basic principles and methods of physical geography and applies them to the study of the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

4
ENG-102 English Comp II

English Comp II

ID: ENG-102

Credit Hours: 3

This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included.

3
SPC-205 Public Speaking

Public Speaking

ID: SPC-205

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English.

3
HIS-201 American History: Discovery to 1877

American History: Discovery to 1877

ID: HIS-201

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a survey of u.s. history from discovery to 1877. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period.

3
ANT-202 Cultural Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology

ID: ANT-202

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes an exploration and comparison of selected contemporary cultures, including their languages. The course also includes an introduction to the concepts, methods, and data of socio-cultural anthropology and anthropological linguistics.

3
Semester 3
(16 Credit Hours)
GEO-101 Introduction to Geography

Introduction to Geography

ID: GEO-101

Credit Hours: 3

This courses is an introduction to the principles and methods of geographic inquiry.

3
HIS-105 World History II

World History II

ID: HIS-105

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers world history from circa 1500 A.D. to the present, focusing on the development of a system of interrelationships based on western expansion and on the economic, social, political, and cultural aspects of each era.

3
SOC-101 Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

ID: SOC-101

Credit Hours: 3

This course emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions.

3
PHI-105 Introduction to Logic

Introduction to Logic

ID: PHI-105

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to the structure of argument, including symbolization, proofs, formal fallacies, deductions, and inductions.

3
SPA-101 Elementary Spanish I

Elementary Spanish I

ID: SPA-101

Credit Hours: 4

This course is a study of the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including an introduction to the Hispanic cultures.

4
Semester 4
(13 Credit Hours)
BIO-205 Ecology

Ecology

ID: BIO-205

Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces basic principles of population biology, ecology, and environmental science as applied to the study of the interactions between human kind and the biosphere.

3
BIO-206 Ecology Lab

Ecology Lab

ID: BIO-206

Credit Hours: 1

This ecology laboratory experience consists of discussions, demonstrations, experiments, films, and field trips pertaining to the relationships of man to the biosphere, human ecology, resource use, and environmental impact.

1
PSC-201 American Government

American Government

ID: PSC-201

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of national governmental institutions with emphasis on the constitution, the functions of executive, legislative and judicial branches, civil liberties and the role of the electorate. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized.

3
ANT-203 Physical Anthropology and Archaeology

Physical Anthropology and Archaeology

ID: ANT-203

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes an exploration of human origins, human evolution, human prehistory, and cultural existence from its less complex forms to early civilizations. The course also includes an introduction to the concepts, methods, and data of physical, biological, and archaeological anthropology.

3
ENG-209 World Literature II

World Literature II

ID: ENG-209

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of masterpieces of world literature in translation from the seventeenth century to the present. Works studied are selected from various cultures throughout the world.

3
  Total Credit Hours 60
  Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
$12,000.00
Not including fees and equipment
Semester Course ID Course Title Classroom Online Hybrid Virtual Credits
Semester 1
(6 Credit Hours)
COL-105 Freshman Seminar

Freshman Seminar

ID: COL-105

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college. The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills.

3
ENG-101 English Comp I

English Comp I

ID: ENG-101

Credit Hours: 3

This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.

3
Semester 2
(9 Credit Hours)
GEO-102 World Geography

World Geography

ID: GEO-102

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes a geographic analysis of the regions of the world, i.e., North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Diversity of each region is emphasized by examining its physical environment, natural resources, social, cultural, economic and political systems.

3
ART-101 Art History and Appreciation

Art History and Appreciation

ID: ART-101

Credit Hours: 3

This is an introductory course to the history and appreciation of art, including the elements and principles of the visual arts.

3
MAT-120 Probability and Statistics

Probability and Statistics

ID: MAT-120

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,and test hypothesis for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. (Graphic calculator required)

3
Semester 3
(7 Credit Hours)
GEO-205 Physical Geography

Physical Geography

ID: GEO-205

Credit Hours: 4

This course introduces the basic principles and methods of physical geography and applies them to the study of the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

4
ENG-102 English Comp II

English Comp II

ID: ENG-102

Credit Hours: 3

This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included.

3
Semester 4
(9 Credit Hours)
SPC-205 Public Speaking

Public Speaking

ID: SPC-205

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English.

3
ANT-202 Cultural Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology

ID: ANT-202

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes an exploration and comparison of selected contemporary cultures, including their languages. The course also includes an introduction to the concepts, methods, and data of socio-cultural anthropology and anthropological linguistics.

3
HIS-201 American History: Discovery to 1877

American History: Discovery to 1877

ID: HIS-201

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a survey of u.s. history from discovery to 1877. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period.

3
Semester 5
(9 Credit Hours)
GEO-101 Introduction to Geography

Introduction to Geography

ID: GEO-101

Credit Hours: 3

This courses is an introduction to the principles and methods of geographic inquiry.

3
HIS-105 World History II

World History II

ID: HIS-105

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers world history from circa 1500 A.D. to the present, focusing on the development of a system of interrelationships based on western expansion and on the economic, social, political, and cultural aspects of each era.

3
SOC-101 Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

ID: SOC-101

Credit Hours: 3

This course emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions.

3
Semester 6
(7 Credit Hours)
PHI-105 Introduction to Logic

Introduction to Logic

ID: PHI-105

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to the structure of argument, including symbolization, proofs, formal fallacies, deductions, and inductions.

3
SPA-101 Elementary Spanish I

Elementary Spanish I

ID: SPA-101

Credit Hours: 4

This course is a study of the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including an introduction to the Hispanic cultures.

4
Semester 7
(7 Credit Hours)
BIO-205 Ecology

Ecology

ID: BIO-205

Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces basic principles of population biology, ecology, and environmental science as applied to the study of the interactions between human kind and the biosphere.

3
BIO-206 Ecology Lab

Ecology Lab

ID: BIO-206

Credit Hours: 1

This ecology laboratory experience consists of discussions, demonstrations, experiments, films, and field trips pertaining to the relationships of man to the biosphere, human ecology, resource use, and environmental impact.

1
PSC-201 American Government

American Government

ID: PSC-201

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of national governmental institutions with emphasis on the constitution, the functions of executive, legislative and judicial branches, civil liberties and the role of the electorate. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized.

3
Semester 8
(6 Credit Hours)
ANT-203 Physical Anthropology and Archaeology

Physical Anthropology and Archaeology

ID: ANT-203

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes an exploration of human origins, human evolution, human prehistory, and cultural existence from its less complex forms to early civilizations. The course also includes an introduction to the concepts, methods, and data of physical, biological, and archaeological anthropology.

3
ENG-209 World Literature II

World Literature II

ID: ENG-209

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of masterpieces of world literature in translation from the seventeenth century to the present. Works studied are selected from various cultures throughout the world.

3
  Total Credit Hours 60
  Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
$12,000.00
Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Geography Educator and Interpreter

Geography educators and interpreters work in a diverse array of careers in the environmental sciences, social sciences, business, government, and education. These geographers develop expertise in environmental, historical, economic, political, and cultural issues at the local and global scale. They interpret maps, create maps, conduct research, and travel to inform the public of the complexities of the world around them. These geographers work as teachers, park rangers, natural and cultural resource managers, museum curators, policy makers, human rights advocates, and tour guides.

Projected Job Growth

+6.8%

Average Annual Salary

$58,653
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Educational Institutions
  • National, State, and Local Park Services
  • Non-Profit Organizations

Careers

Geospatial Analyst

Geospatial analysts work in a diverse array of careers in the environmental sciences, social sciences, business, government, and education. These geographers develop expertise with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS), and other cartographic technologies. They conduct research and analysis to aid in decision making, management, and policy initiatives. These analysts work as natural and cultural resource managers, disaster and emergency managers, urban and regional planners, supply chain managers, and business strategists.

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Government Agencies
  • National, State, and Local Park Services
  • Architecture and Engineering Firms

What’s next after I complete this program?

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Geographers who wish to pursue a career path in the fields of geospatial analysis, education, or interpretation can continue their education at a four-year school to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in geography or a related interdisciplinary field (environmental science, international studies, international business, etc.). By earning a four-year degree, graduates will gain the knowledge and technical skills to apply for a wide range of careers. They will also be able to pursue graduate degrees.

Earn a Graduate Degree

Geographers who wish to pursue a career path in the fields of geospatial analysis, education, or interpretation can pursue a Master of Arts, Master of Science, or a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in geography or a related interdisciplinary field (environmental science, international studies, international business, etc.). By earning an advanced degree, graduates will develop expertise in research methodology, professional writing and publication, cartographic techniques, and technologies that will accelerate career advancement and compensation.    

Want more information?

Academic programs count as academic credit for a certificate, diploma or degree and may transfer toward future academic endeavors at four-year colleges and universities.
Training programs can be completed in a matter of weeks or months, are focused on career training, and provide credentials and certificates needed in the specific fields of study. Coursework does not transfer.
Not sure: Check out these resources to explore what fits your goals.

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