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University Studies - Social and Behavioral Sciences (AA)

The Associate Degree in University Studies is intended to accommodate the differing requirements of a wide variety of transfer institutions and major options. Because admission and major preparation requirements vary at each four-year transfer institution, courses used to complete this degree should be selected with the assistance of a counselor.

The completion of the University Studies Degree does not guarantee acceptance into either a baccalaureate major or a four-year institution.

Requirements

  1. California State University (CSU) General Education Breadth
    1. Complete CSU General Education Breadth (see Transfer Information and Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    2. Earn a grade of “C” or higher or “Pass” for all courses in Area A and the Mathematical/Quantitative Reasoning courses in Area B.
    3. Complete a minimum of 18 units (listed below) with a “C” grade or higher or "Pass".
    4. Complete a minimum of 60 degree applicable CSU transferable semester units. (All courses included in each area of emphasis are CSU transferable.)
    5. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework completed.
    6. Meet Grossmont College residence requirements for graduation (see Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    7. Students pursuing a University Studies degree in Mathematics and Natural Science and Computer Science are eligible to use CSU for STEM to fulfill the general education requirements of this degree.
      or
  2. Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for CSU or UC
    1. Complete IGETC Certification (see Transfer Information and Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    2. Earn a grade of “C” or higher or “Pass” in all IGETC courses.
    3. Complete a minimum of 18 units (listed below) with a “C” grade or higher or "Pass".
    4. Complete a minimum of 60 degree applicable UC transferable semester.
      Courses that are non-UC transferable are indicated by (*). Additional UC transferable units may be chosen as electives.
    5. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework completed.
    6. Meet Grossmont College residence requirements for graduation (see Degree Requirements in college catalog).
    7. Students pursuing a University Studies degree in Mathematics and Natural Science and Computer Science are eligible to use IGETC for STEM to fulfill the general education requirements of this degree.

While 18 units are required in a specific area to meet the requirements of the degree, it is strongly recommended that as many lower division preparation for the major courses as possible be completed at the community college prior to transfer. Cross-listed courses receive credit for only one course. Some baccalaureate majors and four-year institutions require a higher GPA than is necessary for the Associate Degree. Completion of the University Studies Degree does not guarantee admission to a four-year institution.

The Program-level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) are outcomes that students who complete a degree/certificate in this program will be able to achieve upon degree/certificate completion. The PSLOs for the University Studies degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences are:

  1. Describe general principles of the political institutions and government of the United States.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of social, political, and economic institutions, including a historical perspective.
  3. Evaluate the ways in which people interact both within and outside of their own culture as well as society as a whole.
  4. Apply knowledge of social and behavioral sciences theories and scientific methods in an assessment of real-world problems.

Courses in this major focus on the study and understanding of human behavior. Students evaluate and interpret human societies; the institutions, organizations, and the groups that form them; and the ways in which individuals and groups relate to one another. Students evaluate various approaches and methodologies of the disciplines. Students completing this area may be interested in the following baccalaureate majors: anthropology, child development, criminal justice, education, ethnic studies, history, nutrition, political science, psychology, public health, social work, and sociology. Students must complete a minimum of three units, or one course, in Social Science and three units, or one course, in Behavioral Science. The remaining units may be taken from either category.

​Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher or “Pass.”

Social Sciences
Introduction to Administration of Justice
Criminal Law
Community and the Justice System
Communication Studies: Race and Ethnicity
College and Career Success
Economic Issues and Policies
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Economic Relations of the Asia Pacific
History of Race & Ethnicity in the United States 1
Introduction to Race & Ethnicity
Introduction to Cultural Competence
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives I
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspective II
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Introduction to Chicana/o Studies
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II
San Diego County American Indian Tribes
American Indian Culture and Heritage
The History and Cultures of California Indians
Images of Black Women
Communication Studies: Race and Ethnicity
Introduction to Black Studies
Latinx Communities in the United States
U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives I 1
U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives II 1
U.S. History: Black Perspectives I
U.S. History: Black Perspectives II
Introduction to Women's Studies
Early History of Women in World Civilization
Modern History of Women in World Civilization
Introduction to Global Studies
Global Issues
World Regional Geography
Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape
The Geography of California
Early World History
Modern World History
Twentieth Century World History
Early Western Civilization
Modern Western Civilization
History of Race & Ethnicity in the United States 1
Early American History
Modern American History
American Military History
Comparative History of the Early Americas
Comparative History of the Modern Americas
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives I
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives II
Women in Early American History
Women in Modern American History
History of California
History of Mexico
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II
Survey of Medieval History
History of East Asia
Modern Middle East History
Early History of Women in World Civilization
Modern History of Women in World Civilization
U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives I 1
U.S. History: Asian American and Pacific Island American Perspectives II 1
U.S. History: Black Perspectives I
U.S. History: Black Perspectives II
Introduction to Politics and Political Analysis
Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics
Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to California Governments and Politics
Introduction to Latin American Government and Politics 1
Introduction to Middle East Government and Politics 1
American Foreign Policy 1
Introduction to Political Theory
State and Society in the Asia Pacific
Politics in Film
Introduction to Race & Ethnicity
Latinx Communities in the United States
Hispanic Civilizations 1
1

Non-UC transferable course.

Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Anthropology
Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion
Cultures of Latin America
Introduction to Archaeology
Changing American Family
Child Growth and Development
Child, Family and Community
Child Abuse and Family Violence in Our Society
Intercultural Communication
Global Communication
Teaching as a Profession
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Changing American Family
Human Development
Personal Health and Lifestyles
Introduction to Public Health
Introduction to Nutrition
Nutrition for Fitness and Sports 1
Cultural Aspects of Food and Nutrition
The Scientific Principles of Food Preparation 1
Science of Nutrition
Introductory Psychology
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Psychology of Health
Human Sexuality
Social Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Psychology of Interpersonal Skills
Cognitive Psychology
Learning
Introductory Sociology
Marriage, Family, and Alternate Lifestyles
Contemporary Social Problems
Social Psychology
Sex and Gender Across Cultures
1

Non-UC transferable course.

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete the CSU General Education Breadth requirements or the IGETC for CSU or UC requirements are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in University Studies. An official request must be filed with the Admission and Records Office prior to the deadline as stated in the Academic Calendar.