Sociology Degree for Transfer
Description
This curriculum provides a systematic study of human behavior in social groups. The primary focus is on the importance of social groups within the larger society. Sociology seeks to explain the broad range of human behavior as it is influenced by the social context. It focuses on how people coordinate their activities to achieve both individual and collective goals. Courses examine the theories, techniques, and principles basic to the study of human behavior within social groups. This curriculum provides a solid foundation upon which to build the sociology major at a four-year school.
The Associate in Arts in Sociology degree for Transfer guarantees transfer to a California State University (CSU) as a junior.
See Taft College’s Transfer Center. Our Transfer Admission Guarantees include many other schools. Check with your Counselor to see if this degree can transfer to other four-year schools.
Earnings Potential
An associate degree in sociology for transfer offers you the salary potential of $22,375 two years after graduation from Taft College, with expected increases to $37,352 at five years, based on five-year studies of graduates by California Community Colleges. These do not reflect salaries with a four-year degree.1
With a foundation for better understanding and engaging with our changing and globalizing world, a degree in sociology offers an exciting, wide range of career options. Many careers typically require a minimum of a four-year degree. They include careers in business; public relations; nonprofits; media; real estate; urban planning; childcare; community development; family planning; social work; case management; rehabilitation counseling; hospital admissions; higher education admissions, advising, development, and alumni support; law and law enforcement; professional writing; journalism; and teaching, among many others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage is $62,800 for public relations specialists; $50,390 for social workers; $60,510 for school and career counselors and advisors; $61,820 for high school teachers; and $127,990 for lawyers. Some careers, such as lawyer, require a doctoral or professional degree. Projected job growth for 2021 to 2031 is moderate to fast—between five and ten percent—for those occupations highlighted.2
1 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Salary Surfer. 2021. https://salarysurfer.cccco.edu. Accessed 19 April 2023.
2 “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 8 Sept. 2022. www.bls.gov/ooh. Accessed 19 April 2023.
Program
To earn an Associate in Arts in Sociology degree for Transfer (AA-T), students must complete all course requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis; and must complete the General Education Breadth pattern for CSUs with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. There are no local graduation requirements associated with this degree.
There are 19-21 required credit hours for this Program. It has nine units (credits) of Required Core Courses, plus six units from List A Electives (or any Required Core Course not already used) and three units from List B Electives (or any from List A not already used). Most Program courses are three or four units. For courses and details, link to Degree Requirements, below.
Additionally, students shall be deemed eligible for transfer into a California State University baccalaureate program when the student meets both of the following requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible
for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
- The California State University General Education Breadth Requirements.
- A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
- Obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Program Learning Outcomes
After completing the Sociology for Transfer major, a student will be able to:
- Accessing, reviewing, and analyzing current sociological literature.
- Diversity of research methodologies.
- Diversity of social life, inequality, social conflict, and relations of power.
- Integrating life goals and professional and career interests with a sociological perspective.
- Theoretical perspectives that inform sociological analysis.
- Major substantive areas of sociological analysis.