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Associate in Science, Emphasis in Geography - Meteorology

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Geography - Meteorology provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution to study meteorology and/or climatology. This associate degree will prepare students for employment opportunities in a number of careers including forest and conservation workers and air traffic controllers. Upon completion of a bachelor's degree, students may pursue a career in several areas including broadcast meteorology, geography, hydrology, environmental science, and forest fire inspection and prevention. Upon completion of a graduate degree, students may pursue a number of careers including atmospheric and space scientist, geoscientist, climate change analyst, and geography professor.

Details

Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Science (AS)
Academic Plan
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Geography - Meteorology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8604
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Geography (Meteorology-Climatology), BS

Refer to the for more information: .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Recognize and explain the atmospheric processes that drive weather and climate patterns.
  • Evaluate spatial patterns and relationships within the framework of the scientific method.
  • Examine the interdependent relationships between the physical and human/cultural environment (such as landforms, climate, resources, political and economic systems, sociology, sustainability).
  • Critically assess and analyze real-world issues through application of geographic concepts, systems, principles, and theories.
  • Communicate geographic analyses through verbal, written, and/or geospatial techniques.
  • Recognize ethical considerations encompassing the professional activities of geographers.
  • Collaborate with diverse individuals, groups, and institutions to achieve common goals in the field of geography.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Air Traffic Controllers
$118,890
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
$93,710
Climate Change Policy Analysts
$66,390
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$66,390
Forest and Conservation Workers
$33,520
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
$66,710
Geographers
$70,410
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
$84,250
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$92,920
Hydrologists
$102,520

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
( and
) or
 or ( and ) or CS or SQ or SQ 3–4
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
G, SB 3
SQ 3
SQ 1
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or SB or SB or SB 3
Fulfills CLAS Science and Society Elective at ASU SG 3
SG 1
SQ 4
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area with the Cultural Diversity in the US [C] designation. HU, C 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
SQ 4
HU 3
Recommend selecting a course that satisfies ([L] and [HU]) or ([L] and ) requirements simultaneously. L 0–3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
( and
) or
 or ( and ) or CS or SQ or SQ 3–4
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Critical course Gateway course G, SB 3
or
 or Critical course MA or MA 4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or FYC or FYC 3
or
 or MA or MA 4–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SQ 3
SQ 1
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
Recommend selecting a course that satisfies ([L] and [HU]) or ([L] and ) requirements simultaneously. L 0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Fulfills CLAS Science and Society Elective at ASU SG 3
SG 1
SQ 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or MA or MA 4–5
SQ 4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or SB or SB or SB 3
Any approved general education courses in the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] area with the Cultural Diversity in the US [C] designation. HU, C 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU 3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.