Geography Career and Study Options
Today, geography majors can obtain a full range of social science, environmental management, and science or technical degrees that lead directly and indirectly to a variety of career options.
Study Options
Geography and the Environment at Douglas College offers many opportunities for furthering educational goals and career objectives. An Associate Degree in Geography, or one of the following Associate of Arts Degrees, provides 60 credits of university transfer courses.
Today, Geography majors can complete degrees in Human Geography, Physical Geography, Environmental Studies, Resource Management, Earth Sciences, Urban Studies, Habitat Restoration, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Spatial Information Systems, Community Development, and Sustainability Planning at most universities.
Geography-related degrees
Geography-related degrees you can complete at Douglas College:
- Geography (Associate of Arts)
- Future Teachers (Associate of Arts)
- Environmental Studies (Associate of Arts)
- Intercultural & International Studies (Associate of Arts)
- Future Professional Pilots (Associate of Arts)
- General Studies (Associate of Arts)
- Liberal Arts Diploma Program
- Lab science credits (GEOG 1110, 1120, 2210, 2220, 2230, 3311)
Note
Schedule subject to change without notice. See course scheduling tool for most up to date course offerings.
Course Planning
Ask your geography instructors and lab techs for help with course planning. You can also check the Douglas College Course Scheduling Tool to see which courses are being offered in the upcoming semester. The matrix below is intended to help you plan ahead but is subject to change. Exact times and dates are to be determined.
| SUMMER 2023 | FALL 2023 |
|---|---|
| GEOG 1100 | GEOG 1100 |
| GEOG 1110 | GEOG 1110 |
| GEOG 1120 | GEOG 1120 |
| GEOG 1160 | GEOG 1130 |
| GEOG 1180 | GEOG 1150 |
| GEOG 2220 | GEOG 1160 |
| GEOG 1180 | |
| GEOG 2220 | |
| GEOG 2230 | |
| GEOG 2251 | |
| GEOG 2270 |
Careers in Geography
A Geography major ensures that students master communication and personal management skills, teamwork, information management, and problem solving, with a focus on understanding the complex interworking of human and/or physical environments and processes, spatial analysis and visualization, computer software and modeling, logical and effective report and essay writing, and analysis of land use and statistical data.Careers in Geography
A Geography major offers a broad range of employment opportunities such as:
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The Associate of American Geographers (AAG) posts projected career salaries in Geographic fields on their website. For example, in 2014 water Resource Specialists earned, on average, $120,000 $USD annually; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technicians could expect to earn on average $80,000 USD/year; urban or regional planners earned on average over $65,000 USD; and a hydrologist could bring in $78,000 USD.
The Government of Canada Job Bank estimates the following earnings in British Columbia (based on full time employment)
- Meteorologists can earn between $35 and $58/hour (about $73,000 and $121,000 CAD/year);
- Environmental Consultants can earn between $23 and $46/hour (about $48,000 to $96,000 CAD annually);
- Urban and Landuse Planners can receive between $28 and $47/hour (about $58,000 to $98,000 CAD annually);
- Park Rangers or Conservation Officers can collect an hourly wage of up to $47 (about $98,000 CAD/year); and
- Mapping Technologists or Technicians such as Cartographers or GIS specialists can earn between $20 and $38/hour (about $42,000 to $79,000 CAD/year).