Sociology (AAT)
Discover the Complexities of Society to Create Positive Change to Your World
Advocate for children and families as a social worker. Research the relationships between education and wealth, or crime and poverty. Lessen the impact of the criminal justice system on convicted persons and their families. Discover what social media ads have the most success selling a company’s product. Careers in sociology create endless opportunities to influence policy decisions, certain segments of the population, and, ultimately, the lives of individuals in society.
Sociologists provide a vital service to the world: they observe society and, based on data, offer solutions to systemwide problems related to health, education, politics, criminal justice, business, or economics. It is a field that requires integrity, determination, curiosity, and compassion.
Careers in Sociology
Sociologists may specialize in a wide range of social topics, including, but not limited to education and health, crime and poverty, families and population, and gender, racial, and ethnic relations. While many sociologists become social workers, some also pursue careers in criminology or education.
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a Sociology degree:
Career information below taken from bls.gov December 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Study society and social behavior.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | $102,470/year |
$49.27/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 16% increase (much faster than average) | 350 |
Help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $49,470/year | $23.79/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (faster than average) | 707,400 |
Post-secondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and technical subjects beyond the high school level.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | $78,470/year |
$37.74/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Teaching or hands-on experience | 11% increase (faster than average) | 1,350,700 |
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $63,120/year | $30.35/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 20% increase (much faster than average) | 681,900 |
Develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | $73,050/year |
$35.12/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (much faster than average) | 39,100 |
Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | $57,700/year | $27.74/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 1% increase (little or no change) | 12,600 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Sociology
You can get an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) and Associate in Arts (AA) degrees through LASC’s Sociology program where you will sharpen your ability to observe, organize, write clearly, and analyze data:
- Develop a critical awareness of societal changes and social relationship structures so you can analyze a broad range of situations within your field.
- Build leadership and teamwork skills through group and research projects, expand your objectivity skills to make measured and rational decisions within your research, and enhance your curiosity and observation skills to find different ways to look at societies and their interactions.
- Discover the complexities within human organization, social life, inequalities, and social justice through the use of sociology-based research methods and academic knowledge so you can solve issues, make comparisons, and gain a better understanding of how societies make the choices they make.
- To transfer with an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree in Sociology, you’ll save money on your first two years of college at LASC learning from resourceful, energetic faculty. Plus, you can graduate with guaranteed admission into a CSU, and some UCs! See your academic counselor for details.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AAT) degree and Associate in Arts in Sociology (AA) degrees below along with our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 2208.00
Total Units Required: 60
If you are planning to transfer to a CSU or UC, then an Associate in Arts in Sociology is for you! You can complete an Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree (AA-T) in Sociology if you planning to transfer to a CSU Sociology bachelor’s program, and by successfully completing this degree, you are guaranteed admission to a CSU upon completion of this program!
The Associate in Arts in Sociology 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.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 2 American Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 4 Sociological Analysis | 3 |
| SOC 12 Marriage and Family Life | 3 |
| SOC 11 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| Select ONE course: | |
| SOC 7 Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| SOC 19 Introduction to the Social Services | 3 |
| SOC 45 Sociology of Media and Popular Culture: Examining Hip Hop | 3 |
| MATH 227 Statistics | 4 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
Upon completion of this program, you will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology in historical and socio-cultural contexts.
- Give examples of the major properties of sociology research.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Plus 6 units from the following list Electives: | |
| SOC 7 Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| SOC 19 Introduction to the Social Services | 3 |
| SOC 20 Directed Practice in Social Welfare | 3 |
| SOC 23 Issues of Manhood in US Society | 3 |
| SOC 45 Sociology of Media and Popular Culture: Examining Hip Hop | 3 |
| SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ENG 102 College Reading and Composition | 3 |
| OR | |
| ENG 103 Composition and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| JOURNAL 101 Collecting and Writing New | 3 |
| OR | |
| JOURNAL 105 Mass Communication | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in a career in sociology? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your sociology career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, start to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your career goals and where you would like to transfer to get your bachelor's degree. Getting an associate degree for transfer into a CSU allows you to save thousands of dollars going to LASC for your first couple of years compared to going to a CSU all four years!
- Still in high school? Look for opportunities to volunteer and make positive impacts on wide-ranging issues in your community.Talk with your high school counselor to see if there are opportunities to intern at local nonprofits, human resource departments within local businesses, and shadow someone for the day. Look for summer opportunities in your local community service organizations where you can learn more, and gain more experience in your future career.
- Once you’re at LASC , make sure to get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, such as the Sociology Club, become a student ambassador, or run for student body government. These create new relationships and show potential employers your commitment to building writing, communication, and leadership skills.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a student, upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Develop a critical understanding of social processes and structures in order to apply the tools of social analysis to a broad range of professional, academic and community situations.
- The methods and knowledge developed by sociologists reflect the complexity and human organization, social life, inequalities and social justice.
- The ability to observe, organize and write clearly, as well as the development of skills in the analysis of data and collaborations.