Geography is an interdisciplinary field that bridges the social and natural sciences,
making it uniquely suited to tackling today’s most pressing issues, such as climate
change, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability. Geography courses at
Harper College open your eyes to the dynamic planet we call home. Whether you are
curious about how human culture shapes regions or fascinated by the natural forces
that drive climate and ecosystems, you are in the right place.
Choose your path:
Focus on the social aspects of geography with courses such as World Regional Geography,
Human Geography, Geography of the Developing World, or Geography of the Developed
World. These classes examine how people and societies interact with their environments,
also fulfilling the World Culture and Diversity requirement.
Explore the physical side of geography through the Physical Geography course and the
Physical Geography Lab, where you will study Earth’s landscapes, climate patterns,
and ecosystems through hands-on learning.
Students may also obtain an associate in science degree that can be applied toward
a bachelor’s degree with a major in geography at a four-year university. Advising Services is available to help students plan the transfer process and provide information on
which geography courses best align with their academic and career goals.
Whether you are earning the first two years of your bachelor’s degree in geography
or are interested in taking geography classes to learn how to integrate geographic
thinking into real-world problem-solving, Harper’s Geography Program is a convenient
and affordable way to pursue your college education. Get started today by exploring
what the geography department has to offer.
Program highlights
Harper’s comprehensive geography classes are well-suited to students with a general interest in the subject as well as those
planning to transfer to a four-year university to study geography or other related
majors.
Explore professional development opportunities with faculty-curated Geography Resources.
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Planning for your future begins here.
It only takes 20 seconds to get started!
Start at Harper. Finish at a four-year university.
The Associate in Science (AS) degree program prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete
a bachelor’s degree in geography or a related major. Speak with your advisor about
taking the courses that best meet your academic goals.
Harper also offers institution-specific transfer information to help prepare you to
transition to a four-year university to major in geography. To learn more, visit our
Transfer Information page or see your advisor. For career certificate programs, visit GIS/Drone Technology.
Explore careers in geography
Earning an associate degree with a focus in geography from Harper College provides
you with a strong educational foundation in the subject, preparing you to pursue further
education and for geography-related careers in fields such as cartography, ecology,
urban planning, education, and more. Learn more about the Chicago job market, including
salaries, open positions, top local employers, and more by exploring the career profiles
below. For more detailed information about job outlook, visit Geography Careers.
Geographers
Geographers
* Data sampled June 2025. Visit the Geographers career profile for most current data.
$93,693 Median Salary
4.3% Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)
0 Job Postings
Description:
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.
Core tasks:
Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software
and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems,
longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
Analyze geographic distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional,
continental, or global scales.
Quick facts:
Top posted job titles include Computational Scientists and GIS Coordinators.
Top Chicago-area companies hiring geographers include University of Chicago, City
Of Naperville, and Esri.
Based on national attainment data, the majority of Geographers (45.00%) hold a Bachelor's
degree.
Urban Planners
Urban Planners
* Data sampled July 2025. Visit the Urban Planners career profile for most current data.
$93,279 Median Salary
0.8% Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)
81 Job Postings
Description:
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of
jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Core tasks:
Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning,
public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance,
or possible alternatives.
Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers,
the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding
land use or community plans.
Quick facts:
Based on national attainment data, the majority of Urban and Regional Planners (60.00%)
hold a Master's or Professional degree.
Urban and Regional Planners have a salary range from $61,487 to $127,274.
GIS Technicians
GIS Technicians
* Data sampled July 2025. Visit the GIS Technicians career profile for most current data.
$99,272 Median Salary
2.6% Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)
29 Job Postings
Description:
Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or
using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom
application development or provide user support.
Core tasks:
Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
Quick facts:
GIS Technician is a job title that falls under the broad category of Geographic Information
Systems Technologists and Technicians.
Based on national attainment data, the majority of Geographic Information Systems
Technologists and Technicians (65.21%) hold a Bachelor's degree.
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians have a salary range from
$47,350 to $169,035. The median salary is $99,272.
Geospatial Analysts
Geospatial Analysts
* Data sampled July 2025. Visit the Geospatial Analysts career profile for most current data.
$99,272 Median Salary
2.6% Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)
29 Job Postings
Description:
Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or
using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom
application development or provide user support.
Core tasks:
Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems
or research and development for future enhancements.
Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such
as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps,
scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital
data.
Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness
of documentation.
Quick facts:
Geospatial Analysts is a job title that falls under the broad category of Geographic
Information Systems Technologists and Technicians.
Based on national attainment data, the majority of Geographic Information Systems
Technologists and Technicians (65.21%) hold a Bachelor's degree.
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians have a salary range from
$47,350 to $169,035. The median salary is $99,272.
Geography Teachers
Geography Teachers
* Data sampled June 2025. Visit the Geography Teachers career profile for most current data.
$73,645 Median Salary
3.2% Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)
10 Job Postings
Description:
Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and
those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Core tasks:
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such
as urbanization, environmental systems, and cultural geography.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional
journals, books, or electronic media.
Quick facts:
Top posted job titles include Adjunct Faculties, Geography Teachers, and Faculty Development Specialists.
Top Chicago-area companies hiring geography teachers include DePaul University, Governors
State University, and Oakton Community College.
Based on national attainment data, the majority of Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
(80.74%) hold a Doctoral degree or more.
