Sociology
Program Description
Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of human groups and societies and patterns of interaction in real-life settings. It uses a variety of research and theoretical perspectives to analyze and explain human social behavior and social change. As all human behavior is essentially social, sociology students examine a wide range of human interactions.
This program includes a range of courses that analyze sociological topics and enable students to develop and apply a Sociological Imagination or the ability to examine the broader connections between personal life, public issues, and the social structure.
Sociology, with its extensive scope of subject matter, provides a valuable major for a diverse range of career paths.
Learn more about the program on the Sociology website.
Associate Degree for Transfer
This program also offers Associate Degrees for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the following listings: Sociology AA-T, Social Justice Studies AA-T, and Social Work and Human Services AA-T.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of sociology: social structure, culture, social stratification and inequality, race, ethnicity, gender, and globalization.
- Students will be able to apply their understanding of sociology to their professional, personal, and civic lives.
Career Opportunities
A major in sociology prepares students to seek employment in various employment sectors. The level of education completed influences the range of career opportunities offered. Advanced degrees in sociology broaden students' career paths to include high school through university teaching, research, consulting, business, politics, journalism, public relations, and public administration and all fields that require strong analytical skills and attention to issues of diversity. As a liberal arts major, sociology also provides a foundation for various professions such as social welfare, law, marketing, non-profit management, and counseling. Regardless of focus, all sociology students should become proficient in writing and speaking, research techniques, and technology.
Award Type(s)
- AA = Associate in Arts Degree
- CP = Certificate of Proficiency [Non-Transcriptable]
Units Required
- Major: 30
- Certificate(s): 13-23
Additional Information
Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.
Associate Degree Requirements
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to complete the associate degree, including:
- Core and support courses for the major (30 units total)
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
- Foothill College General Education
- Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)2
- Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)2
- Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)3
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
- 2
Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
- 3
Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
Core and Support Courses
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
SOC 1 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 5 |
or SOC 1H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | |
And 12 units from the following: | 12 | |
POPULAR CULTURE | ||
SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS | ||
or PSYC 10 | RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS | |
SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN SERVICES | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME | ||
LAW & SOCIETY | ||
ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE | ||
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS | ||
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | ||
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
or PSYC 30 | SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | |
ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITY | ||
Support Courses | ||
Select 13 units from the following: | 13 | |
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | ||
or ANTH 2AH | HONORS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | |
CHILD, FAMILY & COMMUNITY | ||
AFFIRMING DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION | ||
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS | ||
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | ||
or ECON 9H | HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | |
or POLI 9 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | |
or POLI 9H | HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | |
INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES | ||
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES | ||
INTRODUCTION TO LATINX STUDIES | ||
INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES | ||
INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES | ||
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY | ||
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES | ||
or GLST 1H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES | |
GLOBAL ISSUES | ||
HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA | ||
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA: THE MULTICULTURAL STATE | ||
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1914 TO THE PRESENT | ||
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
or PSYC 7 | STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | |
or SOC 7 | STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | |
CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING | ||
PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION | ||
HONORS INSTITUTE SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S STUDIES | ||
Total Units | 30 |
Certificate Requirements
Social Welfare Certificate of Proficiency
- Units: 22-23 [Non-Transcriptable]
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
SOC 1 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 5 |
or SOC 1H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | |
SOC 11 | SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN SERVICES | 5 |
SOC 19 | ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE | 4 |
And one course from the following: | 4-5 | |
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
or PSYC 7 | STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | |
or SOC 7 | STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | |
POPULAR CULTURE | ||
SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS | ||
or PSYC 10 | RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS | |
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME | ||
LAW & SOCIETY | ||
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS | ||
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | ||
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
or PSYC 30 | SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | |
ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITY | ||
And four units from the following: | 4 | |
BUSINESS LAW I | ||
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION | ||
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES | ||
or GLST 1H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES | |
GLOBAL ISSUES | ||
CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CONCERNS | ||
PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION | ||
Total Units | 22-23 |
General Sociology Certificate of Proficiency
- Units: 13-15 [Non-Transcriptable]
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
SOC 1 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 5 |
or SOC 1H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | |
And one course from the following: | 4-5 | |
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
or PSYC 7 | STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | |
or SOC 7 | STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | |
POPULAR CULTURE | ||
SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS | ||
or PSYC 10 | RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS | |
SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN SERVICES | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME | ||
LAW & SOCIETY | ||
ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE | ||
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS | ||
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | ||
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
or PSYC 30 | SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | |
ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY | ||
SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITY | ||
And one course from the following: | 4-5 | |
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | ||
or ANTH 2AH | HONORS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | |
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS | ||
WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES | ||
or GLST 1H | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES | |
GLOBAL ISSUES | ||
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 800 CE | ||
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION: 700-1800 | ||
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 1789-PRESENT | ||
CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING | ||
PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION | ||
Total Units | 13-15 |