This course offers an in-depth exploration of Earth's physical geography, emphasizing how natural features and systems shape our world and influence human understanding of place and space. Beginning with the fundamentals of geographical tools—such as longitude, latitude, time zones, and the interpretation of maps, charts, graphs, and tables—students will gain a strong foundation in spatial analysis.
The course examines Earth's relationship with other celestial bodies, providing context for planetary systems and their influence on our planet. Key hydrological features are explored, including lakes, rivers, tributaries, alluvial fans, ponds, seas, and oceans, alongside geomorphological landforms such as mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, canyons, peninsulas, and floodplains.
A significant portion of the course focuses on plate tectonics, covering the major tectonic plates and how their movements shape global landforms. Regional geography units offer comparative analyses of physical landscapes and spatial coordinates across North America (Southern, Midwestern, Interior West, and Pacific states), Canada’s northern territories (Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories), and Latin America (Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands, and both coasts of South America).
Students will also examine the physical geography of Europe, focusing on the distinctive characteristics of West Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe, along with an analysis of the vast landscapes of Russia and Northern Eurasia. The course concludes with a case study on the political and geographic implications of the official dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh region as of January 1, 2024.
Through readings, map analysis, and regional case studies, students will develop critical geographic literacy and analytical skills applicable across a broad range of disciplines.
Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for DoDEA Participants.
Course Materials: Text, World Geography Today by Robert J. Sager available at Amazon.com or your local bookstore
Either eBook, paperback or hardcopy can be purchased.
University of San Diego – Graduate-Level Extension Credit Information
The University of San Diego partners with this program to offer graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours through the Credit Validation Program. To earn units, participants must register for and successfully complete coursework through the external program provider.
Credits earned through USD’s Credit Validation Program are widely accepted by many school districts and universities across the United States for purposes such as license renewal, required professional development hours, short-term skill building, salary advancement, credentialing, and potential advanced degree pathways.
These units do not apply toward a master’s or higher degree program at the University of San Diego; however, they may be transferable to advanced degree programs (e.g., MA, EdD, PhD) at other institutions that accept external graduate-level credits.
Participants are responsible for confirming acceptance, transcript requirements, deadlines, and applicability of units with their employing district or intended institution prior to enrollment.
Please Note: USD does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.
Transcript Process: Final grades submitted by the program provider will initiate the transcript process. Grades should be submitted within 7 days of the official course end date or the course enrollment deadline—whichever comes last. Participants are responsible for ensuring their mailing address is accurate and up to date in their USD student account to avoid delays in transcript delivery.
Transcript Delivery Timeline:
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Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.
Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines. (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.) These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.
How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.
Earn credit for your previous work in trainings, workshops, and conferences through a simple process.
Save money by earning credit for work you completed and get one step closer to salary advancement.
Many receiving institutions may accept credits towards degree programs, giving you a head start in earning a graduate degree.