The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, codified in California Education Code sections (66746-66749) guarantees admission to a California State University (CSU) campus for any community college student who completes an “associate degree for transfer," a newly established variation of the associate degrees traditionally offered at a California community college. The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. In order to earn one of these degrees, students must complete 60 required semester units of CSU-transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

The Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer establishes a clear pathway to transfer. Students will have received basic training in regional variations of the world, as well as human modification of the physical environment. Students will gain lab experience with map analysis, weather, and landform features, and will be educated in current theories of how different cultures use, abuse, or otherwise change the Earth. The degree offers an excellent background for careers in public policy, humanities, and environmental studies.