Degrees
The Social Science Division offer the following degrees. Click on a box to view the degrees offered. View the latest course catalog information for each degree on the Schedule/Catalog page here.
Anthropology
Anthropology Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts Degree in Anthropology is designed to provide students with a holistic introduction to Anthropology. This degree will provide the background knowledge needed by undergraduate Anthropology majors for university transfer and coursework, while emphasizing the practical applications of anthropological skills and knowledge in a diversity of careers and the utility of anthropological perspectives as a lifelong learning tool for interpreting world events.
Anthropology Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree in Anthropology prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in anthropology. The Anthropology AA-T Degree is designed to provide students with a holistic introduction to Anthropology. This degree will provide the background knowledge needed by undergraduate Anthropology majors for university transfer and coursework, while emphasizing the practical applications of anthropological skills and knowledge in a diversity of careers and the utility of anthropological perspectives as a lifelong learning tool for interpreting world events.
Economics
Economics Associate in Arts Degree
The Economics Associate in Arts Degree program focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Includes instruction in economic theory, micro- and macroeconomics.
Economics Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts Degree in Economics for Transfer prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in economics. The Degree’s primary focus is on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes.
Geography
Geography Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts Degree in Geography is designed to provide students with an introduction to both physical and human areas of geographic studies. It provides students the background knowledge needed by undergraduate geography majors for university transfer and coursework. This degree is excellent preparation for careers in international fields, law, science, environmental work and cultural diversity programs. The geographic perspective provides lifelong tools for interpreting the world’s complex systems and world events.
Geography Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree in Geography prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in geography. The Degree is designed to provide students with an introduction to both physical and human areas of geographic studies. It provides students the background knowledge needed by undergraduate geography majors for university transfer and coursework. This degree is excellent preparation for careers in international fields, law, science, environmental work and cultural diversity programs. The geographic perspective provides lifelong tools for interpreting the world’s complex systems and world events.
Philosophy & Religious Studies
Philosophy Associate in Arts Degree
The study of philosophy includes: (1) the development of critical thinking and writing skills; (2) the investigation of conceptual problems encountered in the course of reflecting about experience; (3) the assessment of assumptions underlying other sciences and arts; and (4) the exploration of intellectual and cultural history from a broad perspective. Majoring or minoring in philosophy is an excellent way of preparing for law school and other careers that involve facility in reasoning, analysis and information processing.
Philosophy Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree in Philosophy prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in philosophy. The study of philosophy includes: (1) the development of critical thinking and writing skills; (2) the investigation of conceptual problems encountered in the course of reflecting about experience; (3) the assessment of assumptions underlying other sciences and arts; and (4) the exploration of intellectual and cultural history from a broad perspective.
Religious Studies Associate in Arts Degree
The Religious Studies Associate in Arts Degree is designed for those who want a humanities undergraduate background focusing on religion. The Degree prepares students for further study in such fields as education, law, social work, counseling and government service; and for students looking to pursue further studies in religion with the aim of teaching and/or doing research in the subject, or are considering a career in various religious ministries or in religious education. Familiarity with the world’s religions is necessary for an understanding of church-state issues in America and of geo-political conflicts in South Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.
Psychology
Psychology Associate in Arts Degree
The Psychology Associate in Arts Degree provides students with a background that has both breadth and depth, and focuses on the science, theories and applications of psychology. This degree will give students an understanding of psychology that might be useful to his or her personal life, career outside of psychology, or future major and career in psychology.
Psychology Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts Degree in Psychology for Transfer prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in psychology. The scientific field of psychology examines the psychological, cognitive, biological, social and cultural factors that describe, explain and influence behavior. This Degree provides students with a background that has both breadth and depth, and focuses on the science, theories and applications of psychology, with an emphasis on CSU transfer requirements.
Child Development and Educational Studies
Child Development and Ed. Studies Associate in Arts Degree
The Associates in Arts Degree in Child Development and Educational Studies Associate in Arts Degree prepares students for employment as teachers or teacher’s assistants in private preschools or children’s centers. This degree also prepares students majoring in CDES for transfer to a four year institution. In many of the courses included in the CDES AA degree, students study, observe and learn utilizing the Child Development Laboratory Instructional Classrooms.
Early Childhood Education Administration – Certificate
A Certificate in Early Childhood Education Administration prepares students to act in a leadership and administrative capacity in a child care and development program. This includes providing for budget design and fiscal management, marketing, constructing personal policies and procedures, including job analysis, developing a staff in-service plan, and designing a comprehensive educational philosophy.
Early Childhood Education Teacher – Certificate
The Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate Program prepares the student to provide service in the care, development and instruction of children in a licensed early care and education program.
Infant/Toddler – Certificate
The Infant/Toddler Certificate is designed to educate caregivers for employment in programs serving infants and toddlers. It is also recommended for Licensed Family Child Care Providers who care for very young children in their homes. Completion of this certificate will meet the State of California Title 22 requirements to teach infants and toddlers in a licensed facility.
Special Education – Certificate
The curriculum in the Special Education Certificate prepares the student for employment as an instructional aide in K – 12 public schools and early childhood programs where children identified with special needs are enrolled.
Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree
The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree (ECE AA), provides students with preparation for employment working with children from birth through age 8 in early care and education programs, public and private preschools, and children’s centers. The ECE AA courses meet the basic course requirements for teachers in private preschools licensed by the California State Department of Social Services. With the completion of the ECE AA degree and the required minimum number of field experience hours, the student will be able to apply for the Title V Child Development Permit at the Associate Teacher level.
Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Science for Transfer in Early Childhood Education prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. The program is designed to prepare students for working with young children from birth through the age of 8 and for employment in child development programs, public and private pre-schools, and children’s centers.
Elementary Teacher Education Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (AA-T) prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in Liberal Studies or Integrated Teacher Education Programs. It is designed for students who will be transferring to a four-year institution, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree and pursuing a teaching credential through a California State University (CSU) integrated or traditional teacher preparation program.
Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies Associate in Arts Degree
The Ethnic Studies AA Degree Program requires a total of 19 units of which 16 units are in required courses.
Chicano/Chicana Studies Associate in Arts Degree
The Chicano/Chicana Studies Associate in Arts Degree is designed to meet the needs of students preparing for careers serving Chicana/o-Latina/o constituencies in areas/fields such as public and business administration, marketing, communications, public relations, the arts, education, politics, government and minority affairs, as well as careers in which the graduate would work in an international or multicultural environment. Among the strengths of the interdisciplinary Chicano/Chicana Studies major is a stress on furthering critical thinking and effective oral and written communication skills.
History
History Associate in Arts Degree
The History Associate in Arts Degree is designed to prepare students to acquire basic historical knowledge and academic skills both to transfer to a four year institution and to understand historical causes of current events. History is the study of change over time. History majors acquire a broad perspective on the human experience and appreciate how the past shaped the present. A History degree is an excellent general preparation for careers in education, law, historical research, historical preservation, government, journalism, media, and communication.
History Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts Degree in History for Transfer prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in History. History is the study of change over time. Historians analyze cause and effect, construct narratives from primary sources, and try to explain the actions of people in the past. Students in history courses learn more than dates, names, and events. They also learn how to interpret, debate, and draw conclusions. History majors acquire a broad perspective on the human experience and appreciate how the past shaped the present. A History degree is an excellent general preparation for careers in education, law, historical research, historical preservation, government, journalism, media, and communication.
Latin American Studies Associate in Arts Degree
The Latin-American Studies Associate in Arts Degree is an interdisciplinary program that combines courses from multiple academic departments to give students a broad background encompassing the historical, political, social, cultural, and geographic aspects as well as the language of the region. A degree in Latin American Studies affords students access to a wide range of career opportunities in the United States and abroad. The continuing importance of Latin America for the U.S. and the growing Latin population in the U.S. has produced an increasing need for trained persons with a knowledge of the region to work in government, teaching, business and other fields.
Political Science
Political Science Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts Degree in Political Science for Transfer prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in Political Science. Political Science is the scientific study of government. As such, it encompasses a wide range of interdisciplinary subjects, including economics, history, law, and philosophy. This degree is an excellent general preparation for careers in conflict resolution, criminal justice, diplomacy, education, elections, journalism, the practice of law, public administration and public policy, public service, and research.
Practical Politics Certificate
The Practical Politics Certificate is designed for students who intend to become political practitioners and to augment their background and skills through exposure to political science frameworks and concepts, with a focus on local campaign strategies, campaign management, data analysis, and messaging. Students are expected to sharpen the skills and understanding required of thoughtful and effective practitioners in elective and appointive public service. Instruction involves public speaking and communication skills; public relations and media relations; statistical analysis and understanding of polling data; GIS, mapping, and data analysis; and the practical skills of campaigns.
Law, Public Policy and Society Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Law, Public Policy, and Society AA-T or ADT, prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in Law, Public Policy, and Society. The Law, Public Policy and Society ADT focuses on the development of communication skills, introduces students to the legal field, and prepares students for transfer to a CSU. In the program, students will learn to analyze social science and theories, evaluate diverse viewpoints related to the human experience, and produce evidence-based arguments. Students who choose to pursue an ADT In Law, Public Policy and Society will be prepared to go into a variety of majors such as Political Science, Communication Studies, Economics, Philosophy, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Sociology
Sociology Associate in Arts Degree
An associate’s degree in Sociology is intended to lead to transfer to colleges and universities which offer bachelor’s degrees in sociology. The sociology major is designed to provide preparation leading to careers in sociology, social work, law, criminal justice, marketing research and counseling.
Sociology Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
The Associate in Arts Degree in Sociology for Transfer prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in sociology. This degree requires students to complete 60 CSU transferable units including completion of CSU GE or IGETC and 19 units in the major with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Title 5 requires that students earn a grade of “C” or better in all major coursework. This degree is an excellent general reparation for careers in social work, personnel and human resources, the criminal justice system, education, marketing research, law firms, political campaigns and journalism.