The Associate in Science in Geology for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree in a geoscience major. Geoscientists find employment with environmental companies that clean up and monitor pollution problems. Geotechnical companies also employ geoscientists to evaluate risk from earthquakes, landslides, and other geological hazards. Oil and mining companies employ geoscientists to find new resources. The federal, state, county, and city governments also employ geoscientists for many of the same functions, as well as for geoscience research, and to monitor compliance with environmental regulations. Universities, colleges, and museums offer opportunities for teaching and/or research.

Successful completion of the Associate in Science in Geology for Transfer guarantees the student acceptance to the California State University system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in geology or a related field. While it does not guarantee the student acceptance to the University of California system, it does provide the major preparation needed by geology students transferring to a University of California campus in geology or related fields.

Students are encouraged to take additional articulated major preparation courses prior to transfer such as, PHYC 250A and 250B and BIOL 211. While these additional courses are not required for this degree, completion of these courses will better prepare students for upper-division Geology courses at a CSU or a UC. It is highly recommended that students meet with an SCC counselor to discuss possible courses for major preparation for either the CSU system or the UC system, because CSU campuses do not all have identical requirements, and CSU requirements are also not identical to UC requirements.​​