The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” .
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) involves the scientific study of society, social institutions and social relationships. The course of study provides students the opportunity to acquire skills in research, information gathering, analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, and written and verbal communication.
Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T), students will have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper division baccalaureate study. Completion of the degree indicates that the student will have satisfied the lower division requirements for transfer into a Sociology program for many campuses in the California State University system.
Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
- Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
- Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
- Completion of Cal-GETC
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Critically analyze and apply sociological theory to examine the structural forces on groups and individuals within society.
- Critically analyze and apply sociological theory to examine the historical and contemporary role of groups and individuals in shaping the social structure within society.
- Identify, apply, and critique the qualitative and quantitative methods of sociological research in studying social phenomena within society.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education
-
Appropriate for Intersession
-
Available Online
-
Global Citizenship
NOTE: This transfer and/or degree program utilizes Cal-GETC as the required General Education pattern. If you started college before Fall 2025, you MAY be able to use either CSU GE or IGETC. You should meet with a counselor to discuss which general education pattern is appropriate for you.
Semester 1
16 Units
This course introduces the study of society and human social interaction. Both macro and micro sociological theory are discussed, as well as methods of sociological inquiry, culture, socialization, deviance, social change and social stratification--particularly in the areas of social class, race and ethnicity, and gender. Students are highly encouraged to complete Sociology 1 prior to enrolling in other sociology courses.
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines.
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
- Prerequisite: Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
- Area 1A. English Composition
- 1A: English Composition
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Transferable Elective Course 3 units
Semester 2
15 Units
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: College-level composition (ENGL C1000/ ENGL C1000H/ ENGL C1000E/C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent
- 1B: Critical Thinking-English Composition
- 3B: Humanities
- A3 - Critical Thinking
- C2 - Humanities
- Area 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
- Area 3: Arts and Humanities
- 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition
- 3B: Humanities
This course involves a sociological analysis of social problems on the local, national, and international level. Critical inquiry and analysis are conducted into issues such as global inequality, environmental destruction, urban deterioration, economic and political power distribution, poverty, racism, sexism, and problems of work, family, education, drugs, and crime. Theoretical perspectives of sociology and current sociological research are explored.
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students examine the key varieties of evidence--including qualitative and quantitative data, data-gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research project related to a sociological issue.
- Advisory: SOCIOL 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Cal-GETC Area 1C Course 3 units
Cal-GETC Area 3A Course 3 units

SOCIOL 30, 31, or 32 recommended
Semester 3
14-16 Units
US HIST course recommended for CSU graduation requirement
See the full list: Cal-GETC Area 3B Course
Cal-GETC Area 5C Course 4 units
SOCIOL 30, 31, or 32 recommended
Transferable Elective Course 1-3 units
Semester 4
15 Units
Cal-GETC Area 6 Course 3 units
Transferable Elective Course 3 units
SOCIOL 30, 31, or 32 recommended
Program Electives
6 Units
This course involves a sociological analysis of social problems on the local, national, and international level. Critical inquiry and analysis are conducted into issues such as global inequality, environmental destruction, urban deterioration, economic and political power distribution, poverty, racism, sexism, and problems of work, family, education, drugs, and crime. Theoretical perspectives of sociology and current sociological research are explored.
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students examine the key varieties of evidence--including qualitative and quantitative data, data-gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research project related to a sociological issue.
- Advisory: SOCIOL 1
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course is an examination of the family as a social institution. Emphasis will be placed on relationships between the family and other social institutions from American and cross-cultural perspectives. Theories of family development in society as well as pertinent research will be studied.
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course addresses the distinction between biological sex and the social construction of gender. Issues of gender inequality in societal institutions and social structures will be the focus of critical analyses of the consequences of the sex/gender system in the United States. Incorporating an understanding of the concept of Intersectionality will be critical to a more inclusive approach to gender and sexuality issues. A global perspective, which examines and compares the place of gender in nations of the North with those of the South, is also emphasized.
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course involves the critical examination of patterns, practices, and relations among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Particular attention will be given to problems of ongoing discrimination, prejudice, assimilation and cultural pluralism, and power differences between groups. Interconnections between race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and other systems of inequality will be emphasized. Social movements organized within and among racial and ethnic groups that address institutional inequalities in this society will be analyzed.
- 4J: Sociology & Criminology
- D0 - Sociology and Criminology
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Area 7: Global Citizenship
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course considers individual human behavior in relation to the social environment. The power of the situation, other individuals, and the social group will be examined. Emphasized topics include: aggression, prejudice and stereotypes, interpersonal attraction, attitudes and attitude change, conformity, group phenomena, gender roles, cultural norms, person perception, and social cognition.
- Advisory: PSYC C1000
- 4I: Psychology
- D9 - Psychology
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences


