Program Details
Program Details
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Associate of Science
Northern Virginia Community College
Program Details
Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.
Associate of ScienceSocial Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.
Northern Virginia Community College
This program is designed to prepare students to transfer into baccalaureate programs in the geospatial or social sciences at a four-year institution. Students will learn theory about geospatial systems and how they are used.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Transfer Degree
Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.
62
Social Sciences: Geospatial, AS
62
8825 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 202425
62
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 46 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
English Requirements
9
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG Literature
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Math Requirements
6
MTH 154 or Higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 245 or Higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ITE Requirement
3
ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST Requirement
3
CST 110
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category:
OR
Complete courses from the following Course:
HIS Requirement
3
HIS Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Humanities/Fine Arts Requirements
3
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Social Behavior Science Requirement
6
Social Behavior Science Elective
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Physical or Life Science with Lab Requirement
8
Physical orLife Science with Lab Electives
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
GEO Requirement
3
GEO 200
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY or SOC Requirement
3
PSY 200
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
GIS Requirements
14
GIS 101
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
GIS 200
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
GIS 201
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
GIS 203
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript. |
Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online, In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Applied History Social Sciences (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | History (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Information Systems Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Information Systems Technology (Geographic Information Systems - GIS) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BA in Geospatial Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Geospatial Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Geography | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Geography | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Geography, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
George Mason University | Geography, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Old Dominion University | Geography-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Old Dominion University | Geography-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Geography | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Geography (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts History and Social Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Science in Psychology | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Psychology/Social Work Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Math Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Radford University | BA in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Social Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
19-3092.00 | Geographers | 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. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
25-1064.00 | Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
17-3031.00 | Surveying and Mapping Technicians | Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
11-9041.00 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. | Management Occupations |
11-9041.01 | Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential. | Management Occupations |
25-1032.00 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
17-2131.00 | Materials Engineers | Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
17-1021.00 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 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. | Architecture and Engineering Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
19-4061.00 | Social Science Research Assistants | Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
25-1069.00 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
19-3099.00 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | All social scientists and related workers not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
19-3099.01 | Transportation Planners | Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
Cost To Complete
