Field of Interest
Expand your horizons.
Explore the career possibilities in geography, geospatial technologies, climate science, and meteorology. Our program can equip you with the analytical and research skills that are highly valued by employers—preparing you to work in a range of fields, including government, education, commerce, industry, transit, and tourism.
University Transfer Degrees
Want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a university? Save money by starting at MCC in manageable, small classes taught by renowned faculty. Our transfer pathways with Arizona universities help you achieve two goals: completing an associate’s degree while also staying on track to earn a bachelor’s degree at your transfer destination. MCC’s university partnerships throughout the nation assure your seamless transition toward a four-year degree.
A list of available transfer degrees offered in the Geography program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Associate in Arts |
AA |
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography |
Pathway Map |
Associate in Science |
AS |
Associate in Science, Emphasis in Geography - Meteorology |
Pathway Map |
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of a degree within the Geography program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages*. Some occupations may require additional education or training. You can click on any occupation to view more detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$75.02
Annual Median Wage
$156,053
Number of People Employed
270
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.2%
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$36.89
Annual Median Wage
$76,743
Number of People Employed
89
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 5.6%
Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
Typical Education Level
a certificate
Hourly Median Wage
$35.76
Annual Median Wage
$74,382
Number of People Employed
268
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.3%
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$38.24
Annual Median Wage
$79,558
Number of People Employed
1,065
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.4%
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$38.24
Annual Median Wage
$79,558
Number of People Employed
1,065
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 6.4%
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$20.51
Annual Median Wage
$42,666
Number of People Employed
143
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 14.7%
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$39.13
Annual Median Wage
$81,405
Number of People Employed
34
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 11.8%
Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$41.52
Annual Median Wage
$86,381
Number of People Employed
12
Assist scientists, technologists, or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$37.46
Annual Median Wage
$77,925
Number of People Employed
4,267
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 15.8%
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$38.45
Annual Median Wage
$79,987
Number of People Employed
323
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.4%
Research or develop geospatial technologies. May produce databases, perform applications programming, or coordinate projects. May specialize in areas such as agriculture, mining, health care, retail trade, urban planning, or military intelligence.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$37.46
Annual Median Wage
$77,925
Number of People Employed
4,267
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 15.8%
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$36.26
Annual Median Wage
$75,435
Number of People Employed
182
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 3.8%
Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Doctoral degree or more
Hourly Median Wage
$35.12
Annual Median Wage
$73,054
Annual Job Openings
2,995
Number of People Employed
28,146
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 11.7%
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$38.36
Annual Median Wage
$79,796
Number of People Employed
1,031
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.4%
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$38.82
Annual Median Wage
$80,753
Number of People Employed
695
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.5%
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Financial Aid
You can get a high-quality, affordable education. MCC’s low tuition rates and various financial aid opportunities make it possible. Explore federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, student loans, and other options today.
Connect with an Advisor
Before signing up for classes, you’ll want to connect with an academic advisor. Together, you’ll lay out an academic plan that suits you best. This step is essential to your academic success.