Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Geography - TAP/CSCU Transfer Degree, AA (GEOG-AA-TAP)

Location(s): Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Manchester, Middlesex, Naugatuck Valley, Northwestern Connecticut, Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley, Three Rivers, Tunxis


CT State Community College Catalog 2023-2024

  • New students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2023 will begin as students of Connecticut State Community College under this catalog. 
  • Continuing students from one of the 12 community colleges will be transitioned into a CT State program in this catalog as of the start of the Fall 2023 term.
  • The policies, courses and programs described are applicable as of the Fall 2023 term and may be updated as circumstances require.

Students interested in careers in geography, urban planning, earth and environmental studies, tourism, international relations, digital data and mapping, and any form of global studies should consider this program. The Geography Studies, Associate in Arts degree provides flexibility and will allow a student to pursue a career requiring an associate degree or transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree in geography, geography-related fields, or almost any other liberal arts program.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of physical and human geography and the methods of critical analysis geographer’s use.
  • Comprehend how geographers use spatial tools (maps, statistics, etc.) to help analyze and assess global activities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of spatial analysis, and how different fields within geography illustrate the interdependence of global systems.
  • Apply basic knowledge and research skills that are sufficient to allow one to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in geography or an associated field, and/or find employment in a geography-related field that requires an Associate degree.

This program is transfer focused. It is designed to prepare students with an interest in geography, urban planning, earth and environmental issues, tourism, international relations, digital data and mapping, and any form of global studies to transfer to a four-year college or university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

With this degree students will be able to transfer to the following majors:

At Central Connecticut State University:

Geography with Specialization in Environmental Geography, B.A.
Geography with Specialization in General/Regional Geography, B.A.
Geography with Specialization in Geographic Information Science, B.A.
Geography with Specialization in Planning, B.A.
Geography with Specialization in Tourism, B.A.

At Southern Connecticut State University:

Geography, B.A.
Geography - Concentration: Geographic Information Science and Technology, B.S.

Pathway Courses (30 credits)


  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3 (is strongly recommended if you are planning to pursue Specialization in Tourism at CCSU, otherwise an Unrestricted Elective may be substituted for this requirement).
  • Electives

    • It is recommended students select up to 9 credits of Unrestricted Electives in a single discipline/subject based upon your field of interest in geography. These courses can be used to complete 50% of the minor requirement for all CCSU Geography degrees or can be used to begin a minor or second major at SCSU. Some suggested disciplines include ANTH, ERTH, ECO, ENVS, GEOG, GEOL, HIST, MATH, POLS, CSA, CSC, CST.  Central Connecticut State University will require that you complete a minor by earning at least 18 credits in one area outside your major field you must complete at least 9 of those minor credits at Central. CCSU allows you to major and minor in Geography as long as your minor is in a different specialization from the major.
    • For students planning on attending ECSU or WCSU, choose any 9 credits of unrestricted electives.
    • Students  are encouraged to meet with Guided Pathways Advisor to determine which courses to select.

      Credits: 9

  • Remaining Unrestricted Electives

    • Students are free to choose any courses at or above 1000-level to complete unrestricted electives, although they may need to use these credits to take courses that prepare for required courses in the degree program. They should also consider using unrestricted electives to meet foreign language requirements at Central, Eastern and Western Connecticut State Universities. They can also complete other General Education requirements for CCSU, SCSU, WCSU, and COSC-but not ECSU. Students are encouraged to meet with their Guided Pathways Advisor to determine which courses to select. 
    • Credits: 6-9

Total Credits: 60-64