Bachelor of Arts in Geography – GEOG Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AA-T in Geography. Six units in the major (GEOG 101 and GEOG 102) and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Additional units in the major may have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To Do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9–15 Units

  • American Institutions (0-6 units): US History, US Government, California State and Local Government requirements if not taken before transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE, Areas B, C, and D (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for Upper-Division GE.
  • Students entering the major with the AA-T in Geography are not required to fulfill SF State Studies requirements.
  • Complementary Studies: Consult with a department advisor on how transfer units and SF State units can be applied to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

Geography Major: 30-37 Units    

GEOG 101 and GEOG 102 met in transfer.

  • Core (3-6 units): GEOG 205 (if not met in transfer) and GEOG 500GW.
  • Distribution Requirement (12-16 units): Choose one GEOG course from four different areas: Physical Geography (310-399 level); Human Geography (400 level); Human-Environment Interaction in a Regional Context; Geographic Techniques (601-639) OR Applied Geography (640-668).
  • Major Electives (12 units): Choose upper-division courses organized around a coherent theme in consultation with an advisor.
  • Capstone (3 units): GEOG 690.

University Electives: 12 or More Units

Depends on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, and course choices at SF State. Some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g., in both Upper-Division GE and the major.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
GEOG 205 Geographic Techniques (Major Core) 3
Distribution Requirement (12-16 units) - Take One 1 3-4
Major Electives (12 units) - Take One 2 3
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if US/CA Government met before transfer
University Elective 3
 Units15
Second Semester
GEOG 500GW Physical and Human Dimensions of Climate Change - GWAR (Major Core) 3
Distribution Requirement (12-16 units) - Take One 1 3-4
Major Electives (12 units) - Take One 2 3
US History 3
or University Elective if US History met before transfer
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 3
 Units15
Third Semester
Distribution Requirement (12-16 units) - Take Two 1 6-8
Major Electives (12 units) - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities 3
University Elective 3
 Units15
Fourth Semester
GEOG 690 Senior Seminar in Geography and Environmental Science (Major Capstone) 3
Major Electives (12 units) - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units15
 Total Units60
1

Distribution Requirement (12-16 units)

Courses used to satisfy distribution requirements cannot be double-counted as an elective.

One course from each of the following four areas:

  • Physical Geography: 310–399 numbered courses in Geography
  • Human Geography: 400 level courses in Geography
  • Human-Environment Interaction in a Regional Context:
    • GEOG 550 Geography of the United States and Canada (3 units)
    • GEOG 552 Geography of California (3 units) (UD-D, AERM, ES, SJ)
    • GEOG 575 Emerging China (3 units) (UD-D, ES, GP, SJ)
    • GEOG 646 The Geography of Marine Resources (4 units)
    • GEOG 647 Geography of Water Resources (4 units)
    • GEOG 648 Management of National Parks and Protected Areas (4 units)
    • GEOG 651/USP 651 San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues (4 units) (UD-B, ES)
  • Techniques or Applied Geography -- courses from either Geographic Techniques – GEOG 601-639 or Applied Geography – GEOG 640–668. Note: while some of these courses also apply to the 'Human-Environment Interaction in a Regional Context' area, they cannot double count towards the major.
2

Major Electives (12 units)

Units of upper-division geography electives consisting of a minimum of three courses chosen on advisement. These courses will be organized around coherent areas of study within geography. Students are encouraged to meet with a B.A. Geography major adviser to develop their theme to best prepare for suitable careers. Some areas of study are listed at http://geog.sfsu.edu/ba. On advisement, appropriate upper-division courses from other departments and programs may be included.