Academic Advisor: Kimberly Drain
Email: kdrain@frederick.edu
Phone: 240.629.7832
Program Description
Prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions in social sciences disciplines.
The study of Social Sciences prepares students to analyze and understand human society and social relationships.
Students can choose to major in the Social Sciences A.A. to explore various disciplines including anthropology, criminal justice, economics, education, geography, history, human services, political science, psychology, and sociology.
Students also have the option to focus on a specific discipline within the Social Sciences A.A. by selecting an Area of Concentration in Criminal Justice, Education, History, Human Services, Psychology, or Sociology.
Students should meet with an advisor to develop a plan appropriate for their transfer and career interests. To investigate potential careers related to this degree program, visit the Career Communities page.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate understanding of major findings and ideas in addictions, anthropology, economics, education, geography, history, human services, political science, psychology, or sociology.
- Students will effectively communicate the potential a social science discipline has for contributing to the growth and development of human culture through ancillary material (written, oral, visual, and/or all three modes combined).
- Students will demonstrate critical reading and analytical skills.
- Students will be prepared to enter transfer institutions in social science fields.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
-
Students must complete a minimum of nine credits at the 200-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) - select two courses from different disciplines | 6 | |
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Ethics | ||
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Lab course) | 4 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| Select one PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course | 1 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 28 credits of electives 1 | 28 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Take a minimum of 15 credits of Social Science electives from any of the disciplines listed below. A minimum of 6 credits must be in the same discipline. It is imperative that students consult with an advisor before registering to maximize transfer of coursework.
- Anthropology (ANTH)
- Criminal Justice (CCJS)
- Economics (ECON)
- Education (EDUC)
- Geography (GEOG)
- History (HIST)
- Human Services (HUMS)
- Political Science (POSC)
- Psychology (PSYC)
- Sociology (SOCY)
Students majoring in the Associate of Arts in Social Science without an Area of Concentration should follow the curriculum outlined above and will have 13 unrestricted elective credits.
Students majoring in an Area of Concentration will follow the curriculum of their major (Addictions Counseling; Criminal Justice; Education; History; Human Services; Psychology; Sociology).
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Social Science Elective (Milestone) 2,3 | 3 | |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3-4 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Ethics | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Lab course) | 4 | |
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective (Milestone) 3 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Social Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (in a different discipline from the first) (Milestone) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3-4 | |
| Social Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | 1,3 | |
| Social Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (credits may vary to fulfill 60 credits for degree) | 4 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Total Credits | 60-64 | |
- 1
Take this course within the first 24 credits.
- 2
This Social Science Elective taken in the first semester does not need to be discipline specific.
- 3
Take a minimum of 15 credits of Social Science electives from any of the following disciplines: Anthropology (ANTH), Criminal Justice (CCJS), Economics (ECON), Education (EDUC), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Human Services (HUMS), Political Science (POSC), Psychology (PSYC), or Sociology (SOCY). A minimum of 6 credits must be in the same discipline. Consult an advisor to maximize transfer coursework.
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.