What is Geographic Information Systems or GIS? GIS is a framework to organize, communicate, and understand the science of our world. Rooted in the science of geography, GIS integrates and analyzes...
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Overview
Are you intrigued by the study of the earth, its people, and its many environments? CWI offers you an opportunity to explore geography with this associate degree program. Our curriculum will present you with a broad, place-centered perspective on the transformation of environments by society and nature on a variety of scales, from the local to the global.
Mission
The Geography program promotes the discovery and broad communication of knowledge about Earth’s physical and cultural environment and the interrelationships between them. Our multidisciplinary approach to this study emphasizes contemporary concepts, use of geospatial technologies, and critical thinking.
Why This Program
Careers available to students include teachers, urban planners, business, nonprofit organizations, forestry, social service, cartographers, global-positioning specialists, and government jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor lists geospatial technology (GIS) as one of today’s top three high-growth technology fields. Completion of the program is designed to result in an Associate of Arts degree and meets the general-education requirements at all Idaho public universities. Course selection should be coordinated to meet requirements for your intended transfer institution (if known).
What You Will Learn to Do
- Identify and classify human characteristics, human activities and processes, and interpret their spatial distribution on the Earth's surface (continued)
- including composition of environment, population, cultural complexes, economic interdependence, settlement and political patterns.
- Classify, explain and analyze the spatial distribution of the physical processes, such as solar energy, oceanic circulation, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, weather and climate.
- Apply and demonstrate skills using geospatial technology.
- Demonstrate analytical processes using geographic inquiry and spatial thinking skills.
Additional Opportunities
CWI’s annual GIS Day is a networking opportunity bringing professionals from the community to share their expertise and experience with students. Geography Club students visit different sites around the region and participate in community service projects in Ada and Canyon County.
More Recommended Programs
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Geography - Associate of Arts Degree
2
YEARSAA
*See the Course Delivery Styles page for details about class options
Geographic Information Systems - Academic Certificate
1
YEARAC
*See the Course Delivery Styles page for details about class options
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2022 | Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | n/a | April 11 | November 14 | |
Open Registration Begins | February 28 | April 18 | November 21 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 14 | July 30 | December 17 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 28 | August 13 | January 7 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 3 | August 19 | January 13 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 3 | August 19 | January 13 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 6 | August 22 | January 17 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based upon their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Some classes begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWID 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWID 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Geography is a growing career field. The University of Idaho reports a 99% employment placement rate for geographers. The Association of American Geographers has an extensive jobs and careers resource section at http://www.aag.org/cs/careers
Also, professional resources can be found at the following sites:
Professions
- Environmental management
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Natural resource management
- Climatology
- Natural hazard perception
- Hydrology
- Foreign policy
- National security
- Immigration policy
- Non-governmental organizations
- City/regional planning
- Transportation
- Emergency and disaster planning
- Real estate development
- Resource exploration
- Demography
- International business
- Site location analysis
- Real estate analysis
- Marketing
- Agricultural Planning
- Travel/Tourism Planning
- Geographic Technology
- Geographic information systems
- Cartography
- Remote Sensing
- Education
- Teaching
- Research
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs
Congratulations to Kathy Guthrie, College of Western Idaho’s Staff of the Month for July 2019.
"CWI empowered me by showing me I am smart, outgoing, and able to do so many more things than I thought I could.”
Department Chair of History, Culture, and Politics, Dr. Justin Vance, has been named to the National Geographic Idaho Advisory Council.
University of Idaho geographer will lecture on his project mapping the militarization of police.
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has been sharing stories of success from several of this year’s graduates as we countdown to the 2017 commencement ceremony. The road traveled by students to arrive at CWI and the experiences along their education journey are all amazing and inspiring in...
Kelsey Wilber, who will graduate on May 13, 2017, came to CWI in 2014 to pursue her education after feeling “intellectually unsatisfied” and desiring a means to find her true potential.
Academic Transfer
- Agriculture Business, Leadership, and Education
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- Biology
- Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Computer Science
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- Education, Elementary
- Education, Secondary
- Engineering
- English
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- Exercise Science
- General Education
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geography
- Geosciences
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- Sign Language Studies
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- Sociology
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- Transportation Management