What minor for Geography major?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I think that I’ve decided that I’m going to major in Geography (maybe with an emphasis in GIS, but I’m not sure yet). What I plan on doing is getting my Associates degree from a local CC and then transfering to get my Bachelors degree. What should I be looking for in an Associates degree? Should I get something that compliments the Geography degree, something totally different, something “real world practical” (like computers), or just something that interests me? The CC that I’m going to attend doesn’t offer a wide variety of degrees, but there are several to choose from. </p>

<p>Dan</p>

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<p>You don’t need a degree from CC. Instead, take your prerequisites and the natural science and computer classes that will strengthen your background for the geography major.</p>

3

<p>Dan, I would not call your question “minor” related. A minor is normally defined as a concentration of classes to a specified minimum credit load level. Far less than major credit load requirements, but substantial nonetheless.</p>

<p>Some schools have officially recognized minors, and will show as such on your transcript. Others don’t, but you still can take heavy non-major concentrations within subject areas.</p>

<p>Your question is different. You will end up with an associates degree from your cc. It could be in general studies, business, or a science/tech area, depending how it’s structured. </p>

<p>The common wisdom as kataliamom said, is to get many of the basic introductory courses out of the way first, requirements in english,history, language, intro science, math, etc.</p>

<p>These are usually pretty standard to all four year degrees, but will vary by major. </p>

<p>If you have know your cc, and a reasonable idea of where you want to go to finish your BA/BS, it makes sense to look at ALL degree requirements needed for geography across the different programs. Take as many classes your cc offers that will fulfill the lower level general requirements of your anticipated four year program(s).</p>

<p>The rest can be filled in by choice, or area of interest. Talk to your cc advisor, they can help you plan through this. If you’re looking at going from cc directly to a four year public, they should already have a good knowledge of how to help you plan, as many have automatic admissions/ transfer systems in place.</p>

<p>Be aware that not all of your credits from cc may transfer
to your final institution.</p>

4

<p>See if your CC has one of the 2x2 degree agreements with their state universities. In several states, once you get your associates degree you are eligible to transfer into the university automatically and can continue with your major there, completing your BA or BS degree in the remaining 2 years. If your CC has this program, the courses that are eligible for it are well known by the advisers. .</p>

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<p>singersmom07, thank you. I could not remember the name of the “2x2” program, thus my verbose response to the op’s question.</p>

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<p>Ok, I guess the whole degree thing confuses me. I always thought that when you graduated from a four year college you had a Bachelors Degree (major) in some field with an Associates Degree (minor), usually in another field. Is this wrong or does it just depend on the school?</p>

<p>But, yes, what I’m wanting to do is get all my required classes out of the way at the local CC and then transfer to a four year school. I already know the school, since it’s the only one in the area that offers a degree in Geography. I don’t know if this CC and four year school have a 2+2 program. The CC does have a 2+2 program with other schools in the area though. I’ve been looking through their sites and haven’t found anything yet, but have found the transfer equivalencies.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info so far. I’ll keep looking at their sites and see what I can find.</p>

<p>Dan</p>

7

<p>Dan208, it can be confusing, but no, an associates degree is a 2 year degree and is usually conferred by CC. The Bachelors degree is conferred by a 4 year institution when the requirements of a 4 year degree have been met. A minor is not an associates degree and you do not get an associates degree after 2 years in a 4 year program. . It is a secondary concentration of study, less than a major.</p>

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<p>That makes much more sense. Thank you.</p>

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<p>Dan, if you follow your plan you will have an Associates conferred by your cc, and a Bachelors conferred by your 4 year institution. 2 seperate degrees, though they may or may not be related by discipline.</p>

<p>Your bachelors will be comprised of some credits achieved through your associates, plus additional credits gained through the 4 year program.</p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

10

<p>Dan, can you tell me more about geography majors? I have a little boy (9 years old) who has been fascinated by geography since he was a toddler (used to sleep with his globe). He has 3 globes and many maps and atlases, and an enormous store of information at this point. Things could change, of course, but if this persists, what kinds of careers are available to geography majors?</p>

11

<p>So basically I should get my required classes (or at least the ones that will transfer) out of the way at the CC, and then transfer to a four year school? Am I reading that right? Should I only take the minimum amount of classes at the CC, or get as many that will transfer out of the way before transfering?</p>

<p>When you get a Bachelors Degree will you always have a minor in something and major in something, or does it just depend? Sorry for the dumb questions.</p>

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<p>NYMom-Check out the Association of American Geographers website:
[Association</a> of American Geographers](<a href=“http://www.aag.org/]Association”>http://www.aag.org/)
There is a lot of good info there.</p>

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<p>Dan, per your post #12. Answers in order to your questions:</p>

<p>1- Yes
2- Yes
3a- No.
3b- Take as many as you can academically handle, preferably general academic requirements for your anticipated four year school degree progam school, with top grades if possible. If you have room for extras, take something “for fun”.
4. As I said earlier,

</p>

<p>It is school specific. Some schools have a list of minors, others allow you to create your own. These will have a minimum number of credits from an approved list of courses to earn your minor. Some schools officially designate a minor in “x” on your transcript, some don’t. If they don’t, you can take as many elective credits in a concentration as you wish. It is in effect an “unofficial” minor.</p>

<p>I honestly don’t know how much clear I can state it.</p>

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<p>violadad-Thank you. It does make sense now.</p>

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<p>Dan, ok. Good luck.</p>

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<p>

If you want the Associates degree you need to take the courses that will satisfy those requirements. Your CC adviser will have those or look on the CC web site. </p>

<p>That said, you do not need an Associates degree to transfer to a university. If you are in a 2+2 you do, but otherwise you need to be in touch with the university you want to attend to see when you can transfer and what credits will transfer. Then take those courses until you are ready to transfer, after 1 or 2 years. Different universities will transfer different courses depending on their polices and your major.</p>

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<p>Dan, thank you for the information. That site is a great resource. I can’t wait to show it to my son tomorrow. He has wondered whether he could have a career in geography. He talks about becoming a cartographer, and I was interested to read that there is still a need (I was assuming that the world had pretty much been mapped!) There are some other interesting career paths, too.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

18

<p>S just graduated with a degree in geography and minor in anthro. The world may be mapped for the most part as far as countries go but maps are also used for a myriad of other projects besides countries. Right now S is doing mapping for national parks. Maps are needed for population, wildlife movement, traffic patterns, etc. Need to think outside the box.</p>

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<p>Ok, more dumb questions. I got to looking at the 4 year school of my choice (University of Kansas, by the way) and noticed that they offer a minor in geology. I was wondering if there would be any benefit, other than the education value, to minoring in geology and majoring in geography? Also, if I do take as many classes that will transfer from my CC (which I plan on doing) can I still get both a minor and major from KU? Basically, could classes that transfer count for both a minor and a major? Sorry for all the idiotic questions. I’m trying hard to understand all this.</p>

<p>Dan</p>