This two-year pathway is designed for students who wish to complete an Associate in Arts degree with a concentration in Sociology. Students in this program think from a systems perspective, broaden their worldview, and become thoughtful citizens of the world. Students develop skills in analysis and research, multicultural awareness, computer and technical literacy, group communication and collaboration, interpersonal communication, institutional analysis, critical thinking, reading, and writing.
Completion of this program prepares students with foundational courses to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology or a related field, as well as opening doors to a variety of careers in sectors including non-profit, business, government, marketing, advertising, social justice, and education.
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To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit our Paying for College page for details. Part-time and full-time students can qualify for financial aid funds.
Once you complete the AA-DTA degree, additional educational opportunities include:
A Bachelor's degree in Sociology or a related field at a four-year college or university.
A Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at one of the Seattle Colleges. BAS degrees are typically terminal degrees. See an Advisor for more information.
Seattle Central College has direct transfer agreements with four-year institutions throughout Washington state, including University of Washington, Washington State University and Seattle University. Sociology graduates from Central have also transferred to out-of-state institutions. Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Contact an advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice. You can use the College Navigator search engine to find Sociology programs in Washington state or around the country.
The Sociology pathway meets requirements for the Associate in Arts degree. A complete list of degree requirements is available on the AA Degree page under Program Requirements.
The sample schedule and quarterly to-do list below will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The sample schedule assumes a fall quarter start. Please work with your advisor to create a customized education plan that meets your goals.
Before you begin:
Please visit the Enroll Now page for everything you need to do.
Drop by the Library to get help with research; check out resources; access computers and study space; and create media projects.
Click course row to read description.
Course
Course Title
Units
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
This pathway assumes placement into ENGL&101. Speak to an advisor if you place into a different English course.
ENGL& 101: English Composition I
English 101 is a college-level writing course that emphasizes academic writing and major strategies of reading and writing analytically. Writing assignments focus on engaging with and responding to a variety of texts. Instruction encourages students to develop, through revision and reflection, as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
5
Units
SOC& 101
Introduction to Sociology
5
SOC& 101: Introduction to Sociology
Introduces students to the scientific study of society and to several sociological concepts, including socialization, stratification, research methods, social theory, group dynamics, social class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, media, family, deviance, and social and cultural change. Students learn how to connect research to concepts and use the sociological imagination, the relationship between self and society, to deepen their understanding of social life.
5
Units
HDC 101
Orientation to College Success
3
HDC 101: Orientation to College Success
Assists new students in their adjustment to community college. Includes goal-setting, self-motivation skills, identifying college resources, personal development and general study hints.
1 to 3 Units
World Languages 1 or Visual, Literary, and Perf Arts
Choose a course
5
Choose one.
World Languages 1
5
Units
Visual, Literary and Perf Arts
5
Units
Quarter 2,
15 Units
Create an education plan.
Research and develop a list of four-year colleges and universities.
Attend transfer workshops and a transfer fair.
Apply for the Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarship and other scholarships.
Click course row to read description.
Course
Course Title
Units
ENGL& 102
Composition II
5
ENGL& 102: Composition II
Continuation of the composition sequence with further instruction and practice in the writing process, concentrating on critical reading and writing techniques needed for the preparation and completion of documented essays.
5
Units
SOC 102
Introduction to American Culture
5
SOC 102: Introduction to American Culture
Examines American cultural values, beliefs, and practices. Students explore core social institutions, such as the family, politics, and the media and learn about patterns of inequality associated with race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexuality. Field trips, films, participation in campus events, and observation activities may support cultural learning and facilitate cross cultural analysis.
5
Units
World Languages 2 or Visual, Literary, and Perf Arts
Choose a course
5
Choose one.
World Languages 2
5
Units
Visual, Literary and Perf Arts
5
Units
Quarter 3,
15 Units
Check with transfer institutions’ planning resources for core sociology courses required for major.
Attend Undergraduate Research Festival at University of Washington (occurs annually in Spring).
Consider Student Leadership positions and other on-campus jobs.
Visit potential universities and determine application deadlines.
Meet with Transfer Center advisor to determine transfer eligibility
Click course row to read description.
Course
Course Title
Units
MATH& 107 or MATH 116 or MATH& 146
Choose a course
5
Choose one.
MATH& 107: Math In Society
Intended for non-science majors; fulfills QSR requirement for AA Degree. Topics include financial computations (e.g. loans and interest), modeling linear and exponential growth (e.g. population growth and disease spread), and basic probability and statistics (e.g. understanding data and risk), with an emphasis on applications. Other topics selected by instructor.
5
Units
MATH 116: Applications of Math: Management, Life and Social Sciences
Explores functions and graphs as found in business and the social sciences. Students utilize linear, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions, solve systems of equations and inequalities, and learn applications of the growth of money.
5
Units
MATH& 146: Introduction to Statistics
(Formerly MATH 109) Covers descriptive methods, probability and probability distributions, samples, decisions, hypothesis testing and statistical inferences. Fulfills QSR requirement for A.A. degree.
5
Units
SOC 150
Race and Ethnic Relations In The United States
5
SOC 150: Race and Ethnic Relations In The United States
Examines the majority-minority pattern of interaction in American society. Includes theories of race relations and issues shaping intra- and interracial ethnic relations.
5
Units
World Languages 3 or Visual, Literary, and Perf Arts
Choose a course
5
Choose one.
World Languages 3
5
Units
Visual, Literary and Perf Arts
5
Units
Quarter 4,
15 Units
Create long-term education plan with your assigned advisor.
Research and contact Sociology departments at potential universities.
Attend transfer workshops and a transfer fair.
Attend transfer day at prospective university.
Write your personal statement for university applications.
Check in with Sociology faculty during their posted office hours regarding possible careers and academic opportunities.
Click course row to read description.
Course
Course Title
Units
Natural World Lab Science
5
Choose one.
Natural World Lab Science
5
Units
SOC 215
Criminology
5
SOC 215: Criminology
Survey of Criminology. Covers legal definitions, research methods, types of criminal behavior, trends and patterns, recidivism, characteristics of offenders, environmental influences, theories of crime and delinquency prevention, and social policy.
5
Units
Individuals/Cultures/Societies or Visual, Literary, and Perf Arts
Choose a course
5
Choose one.
Individuals/Cultures/Societies
5
Units
Visual, Literary and Perf Arts
5
Units
Quarter 5,
15 Units
Apply to universities or colleges and scholarships.
Look for summer internships such as Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs).
Plan to participate in the transfer student events at prospective universities.
Apply for FAFSA or WASFA at transfer university.
Ask for letters of recommendation (if needed).
Click course row to read description.
Course
Course Title
Units
Natural World
5
Choose one.
Natural World
5
Units
SOC 220
Sociology of Gender & Sexuality
5
SOC 220: Sociology of Gender & Sexuality
Explores the social construction of sex, sexuality, and gender over time and across cultures. Students critically examine the idea that sex, sexuality, and gender are fixed biological realities and investigate patterns of inequality associated with sex, sexuality, and gender. Sociology courses are web enhanced. Web enhanced courses have a traditional classroom (on campus) structure with an added web component to enhance communication and collaboration.
5
Units
Individuals/Cultures/Societies or Visual, Literary, and Perf Arts
Choose a course
5
Choose one.
Individuals/Cultures/Societies
5
Units
Visual, Literary and Perf Arts
5
Units
Quarter 6,
15 Units
Apply for graduation for the AA degree.
Check in with university for admissions status.
Order cap and gown for commencement and join Seattle Central Alumni Association.
Attend graduation fair and commencement ceremony.
Click course row to read description.
Course
Course Title
Units
Natural World
5
Choose one.
Natural World
5
Units
SOC 235
Sociology of Health and Medicine
5
SOC 235: Sociology of Health and Medicine
Examines social factors related to health, healing, and health care. Analyzes impact of culture on definition, treatment, and subjective experience of illness. Emphasizes social determinants of health, including inequities, stress, environment, trauma, and access to resources. Compares health care systems and approaches to social change.
5
Units
Individuals/Cultures/Societies or Visual, Literary, and Perf Arts
American Sociological Association - The ASA is dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good.
The Pacific Sociological Association - The PSA's mission is to advance scholarly research on all social processes and areas of social life, to promote high quality teaching of sociological knowledge, and to mentor the next generation of sociologists.
The Society Pages - Sociological Images is designed to encourage all kinds of people to exercise and develop their sociological imagination by presenting brief sociological discussions of compelling and timely imagery that spans the breadth of sociological inquiry.