Geography Advising Guide

Transfer Advising Guides are for planning purposes only. This Advising Guide does not replace the need for regular and timely meetings with your assigned Pathway Advisor.

Visit the Geography Undergraduate Program web page for detailed program information, PSU 4-year Degree Map, and PSU offered courses.

Course Equivalencies

The following courses will transfer towards PSU requirements within the Geography major. This is a shortened list for general reference. For more information on how other courses may transfer, visit Transferology, a web-based advising system.

PSU Course	PCC Course	Clackamas CC Course	Mt Hood CC Course	Chemeketa CC Course	Clark College Course
GEOG 210¹	GEO 110¹	GEO 100	GEOG105	GEG 105	GEOG 205¹ or GEOG&100
GEOG 230²	GEO 105 or GEO 212	GEO 110	Not offered	Not offered	GEOG&200
GEOG 380U	GEO 170³	GIS 101 and 201³	Not offered	GEG 140³	Not offered
GEOG 488	GEO 265 and GEO 266³	GIS 101, 201, and 202³	Not offered	Not offered	Not offered
GEOG - Human Requirement	GEO 105, 106, 202, 204, 206, 212, 215, 230, or 250	GEO 110, GEO 130, or GEO 208	GEOG 106, 202, 205, 206, 208, 209, or 214	GEG 106, 206, or 207	GEOG& 102, GEOG& 207, GEOG 220, 221, 222, 223, or 224
GEOG - Physical Requirement	GEO 110 or 209	Not offered	Not offered	Not offered	Not offered
GEOG - Skills Requirement	GEO 221, 223, 240, 242, 244, 246, 252, 254, 265, 266 or 267	GIS 101, 201, 202, 205, 232, 236, 237, 238 or 286	GEOG 265	Not offered	Not offered
STAT 243Z⁴	STAT 243Z	STAT 243Z	STAT 243Z	STAT 243Z	MATH&146
STAT 244⁴	MTH 244	MTH 244	STAT 244	STAT 244	MATH 147

Notes and Benchmarks

Community College courses transfer as Geography Lower-Division credit for major only. Applies as non-lab science credit for all majors starting in Fall 2024. Clark's courses count as Social Science credits ADD in: May substitute with G201/204 or 202/205 or 203/206
May substitute with ANTH 103
While these courses meet the degree requirements for PSUs GEOG 380 or 488, the credits will not count toward upper-division credit requirements at PSU.
Either GEOG 496 or STAT 243 and STAT 244 (or equivalent) is required for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Only 16 Lower Division (100 and 200 level) credits may be transferred to the Geography major.
Students interested in transferring to PSU for Geography should also take courses to satisfy the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science requirements (see below).

Choose to complete a BA or BS

You must complete the requirements to earn either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, explore the requirements on the pages linked below.

Courses taken to meet BA or BS requirements are great options for courses to be taken at community colleges in advance of transfer!

Other Academic Requirements

General Education Requirements

All universities have a general education curriculum included as part of the baccalaureate degree requirements. The goal of general education curricula is to ensure that all graduates have a common set of coursework aligned with the university's educational goals.

Students have the option of University Studies or University Honors for completing their general education requirements at PSU.

University Studies provides students with integrated, connected learning experiences that lay the foundation for lifelong intellectual development. Extending through all four years, the program teaches you how to think critically, communicate effectively, and gain a broad awareness of the human experience to instill a deep sense of responsibility to yourself, your peers and your community
University Honors offers courses in the theory and research methods of the human, natural, and social sciences, as well as a wide-ranging selection of intensive interdisciplinary seminars. Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects, network and gain experience through internships, and study abroad. In their final year, Honors students research and write a baccalaureate Honors thesis.

Explore the General Education Options

University Writing Requirement

Two composition courses, starting with College Writing 121Z (or equivalent)

Second Language Proficiency for Admission

Students who graduated, or would have graduated, from high school in Oregon in 1997 or later must have two years of a second language at the high school level, or two terms at the college level, to meet admission requirements, even if they choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science.

Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement

All Portland State undergraduate students must fulfill the Race and Ethnic Studies requirement (RESR) to earn their bachelor's degrees.

Transfer-Approved RESR Courses

Transfer Process

Explore PSU programs

Look at the Geography Program information online
Review department websites
Plan a visit to PSU and ask questions

Plan your transfer

Connect with Transfer Admissions to review the admissions process
Check out Transferology to see how your credits transfer
Meet with a PSU Transfer Advisor virtually or at your community college
Meet with a Pathway Advisor for your major

Apply for admission

Application is available Aug 1 for the next fall term
Apply up to one year in advance
Complete your FAFSA or ORSAA for the following year before March 1st
Apply for PSU scholarships before March 1st
Consider on-campus housing

Prepare for your first term

Confirm your enrollment
Review the New Student Checklist
Sign up for Orientation, this is where you will register for your first term classes
Request updated official transcripts from your current college