Social Justice Studies
Program Description
Want to change the world? There’s a major for that! Social Justice Studies focus on understanding the different ways power and privilege work in our society in order to create a better world. As an interdisciplinary major, we combine approaches from political science, sociology, psychology, and history, along with studying art, literature, and popular culture to understand the struggles that people face and to begin thinking about how to help make them better. By examining race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, national origin, and (dis)ability, as well as how these parts of who we are intersect to create individual identities, we are to focus on how to help people and fight for what is right. This major is perfect for any student looking to transfer into programs in race/ethnic studies, Black or African American studies, Latinx/Chicanx studies, Asian/Asian American studies, gender and sexuality studies, LGBTQ+/queer studies, or fields like sociology, history, political science, psychology, English, or cultural studies.
Transfer Preparation
MSJC offers a range of course work to prepare students for the workforce or to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. All four-year institutions prescribe their own standards for course evaluation and admissions. Courses that fulfill major requirements for an associate degree in this program might not be the same as those required for transfer into a similar major at a four-year university.
Transfer students are advised to do research on prospective majors and careers through the Career/Transfer Center and the MSJC catalog. Students interested in transferring to CSU’s or UC’s can access major preparation by visiting http://www.assist.org. All students are advised to meet with a counselor at least once a semester to create or update their comprehensive education plan.
This program is intended to provide an interdisciplinary perspective to social justice issues related to intersectional identity in order to promote a more informed perspective and empower students with resources for self and community advocacy.
Discover in-demand careers and education options based on your interests! See the list of careers below or explore further by searching for Careers or Programs.
Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer. Labor market statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, O-NET, EMSI.
| Career/Industries | CA Annual Median Salary or Range | Employment Demand or Opening CA |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Rights/Immigration Lawyer (M, D) | $120,910 | 5,695 |
| Paralegal/Legal Assistant (A, B) | $57,154 | 4,104 |
| Social and Community Service Managers (A, B, M) | $66,246 | 3,314 |
| Social Worker (B, M) | $63,140 | 13,300 |
(degree required: SM some college, C: Certificate, A: Associate degree, B: Bachelor’s degree, M: Master’s degree, D: Doctorate)