Associate of Arts - Sociology - Transfer to a California State University

Merritt College offers an Associate in Arts in Sociology for transfer program, which provides students with an understanding of how all aspects of society work from the smallest levels of individual interaction to the operation of the largest institutions. Students learn sociological theories, concepts, and research methods that are useful for navigating personal and professional relationships in business, politics, criminal justice, health care, agriculture, communications and other industries.

This knowledge enables students to be competitive for sociology-related jobs and prepares them to pursue a bachelor's degree in Sociology or another social science at the university level. This program is intended to meet the lower division requirements for Sociology majors or majors that have been deemed similar in the California State University (CSU) system.

Sociology is the critical and applied investigation of everyday life. This approach to academic studies provides students with an analysis of social life, social change, and the social factors and consequences of human behavior using the methods of social science research. Sociologists examine the social construction of individuals, groups, organizations and institutions and how people interact within these contexts. Successful completion of the degree affords students specific guarantees for transfer to the CSU system such as admission to a CSU with junior status, priority admission to a local CSU campus and to a program or major in Sociology or similar major. Students transferring to a CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 semester or 90 quarter units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: • Identify relevant sociological theorists and their contributions to the discipline of sociology. • Use sociological perspectives to analyze social issues and suggest solutions to social problems. • Distinguish among various systems of social stratification and analyze ways that they create social inequality. • Apply both qualitative and quantitative research to analyze social trends and evaluate relationships among entities in society.

Career Opportunities: Skills developed from studying sociology can be useful in business, community service, activism, child development, politics, criminal justice, and education in the government, private and non-profit sectors.