Interdisciplinary Studies: Behavioral & Social Sciences (AA)
Program Overview:
Discover What You Want to Learn
Take part in one of LASC’s most unique opportunities to create your own learning experience. If you aren’t sure what you want to study, but are interested in how people behave and react in our world, this program allows you to discover what you’re interested in over time. Study the history of African Americans or Mexican Americans. Study psychology, anthropology, business law, child development, history, sociology, or economics. The choice is yours.
In today’s world, we need to make informed decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society. To do this, it’s important to have a broad background in many different areas so you have a greater perspective to experience and think critically about something.
Understand your world and your role in it with insight into why people act and react the way they do. Explore how race, politics, religion, language, and other factors play a part in how people have responded to past and current events.
These studies lead to careers that require analytical and critical-thinking skills to ask new questions on ways to improve our society. With a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies you can connect the dots between concepts, ideas, and theories, and discover ways these can change our world.
| Contact |
|---|
| Chairperson Elizabeth Flowers |
| Phone (323) 241-5458 |
| Email |
| Office Location Student Services Education Center, Room 216 |
| Office Hours Mondays to Fridays: 8:00AM - 4:30PM |
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Department |
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Pathway |
Careers in Behavioral and Social Science
This program comes with the opportunity to learn about many different subjects where you decide what interests you most. Talk with your academic counselor if you want help narrowing down your career options. With the foundational knowledge you will have in analyzing and critical thinking, you will have the ability to go wherever your interests lead you!
Here are just a few of careers and their salaries you could have studying Behavioral and Social Sciences:
Career information below taken from bls.gov November 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree or Higher | $40,700/year | $19.57/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 1% increase (little or no change) | 134,570 |
Collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Some college | $39,540/year | N/A |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (much faster than average) | 123,800 |
Plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | $55,590/year | $26.73/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 8% increase (faster than average) | 15,960 |
Provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | $42,160/year | $20.27/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (as fast as average) | 19,070 |
Attend to the basic needs of children, such as dressing, bathing, feeding, and overseeing play.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | $23,240/year | $11.17/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Short-term on-the-job training | 2% increase (slower than average) | 1,160,000 |
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $50,420/year | $24.24/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Short-term on-the-job training | 13% increase (faster than average) | 34,550 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Interdisciplinary Studies in Behavioral & Social Sciences
You can get Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degrees through LASC’s IDS: Behavioral and Social Sciences program where you will refine your awareness of and respect for human diversity:
- Develop a holistic perspective on issues ranging from local politics to national conversations, and global human rights violations so you can analyze situations with this context to understand the cultural factors around how and why people react to situations the way they do.
- Build leadership and teamwork skills through group and research projects, expand your objectivity and analytical skills to make measured and rational decisions within your research, and enhance your curiosity and observation skills to find different ways to look at people and their interactions.
- Discover the complexities of culture and understand the role it plays in human behavior, biology, evolution, and ways of life through the use of anthropology-based research methods and academic knowledge so you can solve issues, make comparisons, and gain a better understanding of how culture impacts people.
- Explore the history and theories of psychology and the role it has taken to help observe and analyze human behavior.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- Want to transfer? If you want to get a bachelor’s degree, LASC offers an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degree in IDS: Behavioral and Social Sciences so you can graduate with guaranteed admission into a CSU and some UCs! Plus, you’ll save money on your first two years of college at LASC learning from knowledgeable, caring faculty. See your academic counselor for details.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degrees in IDS: Behavioral and Social Sciences below, along with our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 4901.01
Total Units Required: 60
Upon completion of this program, you will:
- Describe the goals of psychology as a science.
- List, describe, and explain the major theoretical viewpoints in psychology.
- List and describe major research methods utilized in psychology.
| Core Courses (Choose & complete 9 units:) | Units |
|---|---|
| HISTORY 11 Political and Social History of the United States I | 3 |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 12 Political and Social History of the United States II | 3 |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 41 The African-American in theHistory of the United States I | 3 |
| OR | |
| 3 | |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 43 The Mexican-American in theHistory of the United States | 3 |
| POL SCI 1 The Government of the United States | 3 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology I | 3 |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Additional Requirements (Choose & complete 9 additional units) | |
| ADM JUS 1 Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 133 Peoples and Culture of Africa | 3 |
| BUS 1 Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 5 Business Law I | 3 |
| BUS 6 Business Law II | 3 |
| CH DEV 1 Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECON 1 Principles of Economics I | 3 |
| ECON 2 Principles of Economics II | 3 |
| GEOG 2 Cultural Elements of Geography | 3 |
| HISTORY 1 Introduction to Western Civilization I | 3 |
| HISTORY 2 Introduction to Western Civilization II | 3 |
| HISTORY 3 History of England and Great Britain I | 3 |
| HISTORY 5 History of the Americas I | 3 |
| HISTORY 11 Political and Social History of the United States I | 3 |
| HISTORY 12 Political and Social History of the United States II | 3 |
| HISTORY 37 History of African Civilization | 3 |
| HISTORY 41 The African-American in the History of the United States I | 3 |
| HISTORY 42 The African-American in the History of the United States II | 3 |
| HISTORY 43 The Mexican-American in the History of the United States I | 3 |
| HISTORY 52 The Role of Women in the History of the United States | 3 |
| LAW 3 Civil Rights and the Law | 3 |
| MATH 227 Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| POL SCI 1 The Government of the United States | 3 |
| POL SCI 2 Modern World Governments | 3 |
| POLSCI 7 Contemporary Worlds Affairs | 3 |
| POL SCI 9 Governments and Politics in Africa | 3 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology I | 3 |
| PSYCH 11 Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 14 Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 41 Life-Span Psychology: From Infant to Old Age | 3 |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 2 American Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 11 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| SOC 12 Marriage and Family Life | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU or UC, then an Associate in Arts in IDS: Behavioral and Social Sciences is for you! You can complete an Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree (AAT) in IDS: Behavioral and Social Sciences if you planning to transfer to a CSU Behavioral or Social Science bachelor’s program. By successfully completing this degree, you are guaranteed admission to a CSU upon completion of this program!
The Associate in Arts in IDS: Behavioral and Social Sciences for Transfer Degree requirements include:
- completion of 60 CSU transferable units, including the minimum 18 units in the major and the completion of either IGETC or CSU GE;
- a minimum GPA of 2.0.
If you are interested in completing an Associate Degree for Transfer, you must:
- Complete 60 semester units of 90-quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following: *
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer curriculum (IGETC) or 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.
*As required by Senate Bill 1440 & California Education Code section 66746.
ADTs also require that you must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in the major.
You should meet with a counselor to determine the necessary course work to complete the general education requirements.
| Core Courses (Choose & complete 9 units:) | Units |
|---|---|
| HISTORY 11 Political and Social History of the United States I | 3 |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 12 Political and Social History of the United States II | 3 |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 41 The African-American in theHistory of the United States I | 3 |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 42 The African-American in theHistory of the United States II | 3 |
| OR | |
| HISTORY 43 The Mexican-American in theHistory of the United States | 3 |
| POL SCI 1 The Government of the United States | 3 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology I | 3 |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Additional Requirements (Choose & complete 9 additional units) | |
| ADM JUS 1 Introduction to Administration of Justice | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 Human Ways of Life: Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 133 Peoples and Culture of Africa | 3 |
| BUS 1 Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 5 Business Law I | 3 |
| BUS 6 Business Law II | 3 |
| CH DEV 1 Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECON 1 Principles of Economics I | 3 |
| ECON 2 Principles of Economics II | 3 |
| GEOG 2 Cultural Elements of Geography | 3 |
| HISTORY 1 Introduction to Western Civilization I | 3 |
| HISTORY 2 Introduction to Western Civilization II | 3 |
| HISTORY 3 History of England and Great Britain I | 3 |
| HISTORY 5 History of the Americas I | 3 |
| HISTORY 11 Political and Social History of the United States I | 3 |
| HISTORY 12 Political and Social History of the United States II | 3 |
| HISTORY 37 History of African Civilization | 3 |
| HISTORY 41 The African-American in the History of the United States I | 3 |
| HISTORY 42 The African-American in the History of the United States II | 3 |
| HISTORY 43 The Mexican-American in the History of the United States I | 3 |
| HISTORY 52 The Role of Women in the History of the United States | 3 |
| LAW 3 Civil Rights and the Law | 3 |
| MATH 227 Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| POL SCI 1 The Government of the United States | 3 |
| POL SCI 2 Modern World Governments | 3 |
| POLSCI 7 Contemporary Worlds Affairs | 3 |
| POL SCI 9 Governments and Politics in Africa | 3 |
| PSYCH 1 General Psychology I | 3 |
| PSYCH 11 Child Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 14 Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 41 Life-Span Psychology: From Infant to Old Age | 3 |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 2 American Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 11 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| SOC 12 Marriage and Family Life | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Ready to start your career? Before your first class begins at LASC, you can start preparing for your career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop your Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your interests to see what support services and opportunities that will make your time at LASC even better!
- Still in high school? Search for opportunities to volunteer with nonprofit organizations, museums, businesses, political offices, or wherever your interests are. Talk with your high school counselor to find out about different internships. Ask about summer opportunities in your local community where you can learn more, and gain more experience.
- Once you’re at LASC, make sure to get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, such as the Associated Students Organization (ASO) to run for student body government, and Toastmasters to improve your public speaking, or become a student ambassador and give campus tours. These create new relationships and show potential employers your commitment to building communication and leadership skills.
Program Learning Outcomes
With the successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Describe the goals of psychology as a science.
- List, describe, and explain the major theoretical viewpoints in psychology.
- List and describe major research methods utilized in psychology.