Sociology provides students with the ability to see their lives - and the lives of others - as part of the vast sea of cultures and connections that we call society.
Also known as "the science of society," sociology studies the ways that people both shape and are shaped by social processes. The hope of sociology is that when people understand society, they will be empowered to make better decisions about their own lives and will be motivated to and capable of working to improve society as a whole.
Sociology is valuable for all careers that involve working with people, including
social work, nursing, K-12 teaching, community organizing, urban planning, criminology,
employment counseling, and many other fields. Most career options require more than
two years of college study. Diablo Valley College offers students an Associate in
Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree. The degree transfers to CSUs and UCs.
Sociology is a valuable liberal arts major for students planning careers in a wide variety of fields. Students will learn to define and apply sociological concepts; identify possible solutions to social problems; apply theoretical paradigms and methodology; and use critical thinking to analyze complex social issues.
Catalog information for AA-T degree
We offer a wide variety of courses in Sociology, including Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Critical Thinking with Sociology, Urban Sociology, the Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, the Sociology of Gender, Marriage and the Family, and Research Methods. Classes are offered during the day, evening and online.
To see a complete list of the required courses, view our catalog.
Given the breadth, adaptability, and utility of studying Sociology, employment opportunities abound for Sociology Majors. The following list of possibilities is only illustrative. Many other paths may be open to you with additional education or training required.
Sociology Associate in Arts for Transfer brochure
Coordinator | Lisa Smiley-Ratchford |
Telephone | 925-969-2448 |
lsmiley-ratchford@dvc.edu | |
Office location | FO-209 |