Associate of Arts - Social Science

The Social Sciences courses generally serve as surveys of each field and/or as general education and transfer requirements. Social Sciences majors find jobs in social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, libraries, probation departments, and correctional institutes. Social Sciences majors also find jobs in business and industry in market research, survey research, public relations, management, advertising, human resources, sales, counseling, and as forensic anthropologists and archeologists. Careers that generally require graduate-level degrees include teacher, researcher, field anthropologist, historian, counselor, criminologist, urban planner, lawyer, political consultant, pollster, political campaign manager, philosopher, psychologist, psychiatrist, and human resources director.  Students find that coursework in the various disciplines prepares them to understand organizational and group dynamics, incorporate logic and reasoning in everyday life, understand research and statistical analysis, and connect personal problems to social issues through critical analysis. This program also improves students ability to think critically, problem solve, manage their lives, and understand the issues that engage the world, the country, and the community.

College of the Desert’s Social Sciences program is designed to provide students with a general overview of various disciplines of the social sciences, help students meet general education requirements for transfer to four-year institutions, and provide them with supporting courses for majors in other programs. 

Students earning an associate’s degree within the social sciences program have a choice of pursuing positions as community support worker, gerontology aide, compensation/ benefits worker, consumer survey advisor, delinquency counselor, insurance agent/broker, social welfare examiner, peace corps/VISTA worker, research assistant, claims representative, case aid worker, human resources assistant, public opinion surveyor, community service agency worker, or continuing their studies toward a bachelor’s or graduate degree.