REQUIRED Out of the Discipline Coursework. All of the participating institutions require students to earn credits outside of their major area of study. This coursework is often referred to as the General Education Curriculum or Distributive Requirements. In order to provide a seamless transition and to ensure that transferring students have the requisite content knowledge to pursue upper level instruction in Geography, the transferable associate’s degree must include coursework from several broad areas of study outside of Geography. General education course equivalencies will be equated through the TAOC system. Although credit given may be adjusted to fit in varying course descriptions by individual institutions, all criteria in the 30- Credit General Education Core must be met. Transfer Credit Framework The Commonwealth’s statewide college credit transfer system includes an advising tool called the “Transfer Credit Framework”. The Framework allows students to seamlessly transfer up to 30 credits of foundation courses from one participating college of university to another and have those courses count towards graduation. Through the Transfer Credit Framework, the Commonwealth’s Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee identified six categories of foundation-level coursework that is common among the participating institutions. Each category consists of multiple course options(see Appendix B). Some Framework courses are more relevant to the field of Geography than others. A list of recommended courses in each category is included below. Students should work with an academic advisor to select the best options for their major and their transfer institution. These courses are recommendations only. They are not required as part of the major or the articulation Agreement. Students will not be penalized for not completing the recommended courses prior to transferring. The courses listed should be regarded as suggestions that could enhance a student’s academic frame of reference as a Geography major. With the assistance of an academic advisor, students are encouraged to select the following Framework courses as part of their transferable associate degree program: Framework Category Framework Requires Students to Take…* Geography Majors Are RECOMMENDED to Take… Category 1 1 course (3-4 credits) 1. At least one course with instruction in research methods and college-level composition. Depending on the institution, this may be split between two courses Category 2 1 course (3-4 credits) 1. Public Speaking
