Social Justice Studies: General, A.A.-T

The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies for Transfer (AA-T) Degree is intended to meet the lower division requirements for various Social Justice B.A. degrees. The Social Justice Studies degree is an interdisciplinary degree that engages students in examining identity issues such as gender, race, class, ethnicity, and nationality as they intersect with the social justice issues of racism, sexism, classism, terrorism, and other oppressive structures within society. This degree is designed to appeal to the student who is interested in learning about the experiences of marginalized groups and those going into majors such as Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, English, History, Political Science, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Race and Ethnic Studies.

AAT.SJS.CG

Design Your Future!

Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

Transfer degrees require a minimum of 60 semester CSU or UC transferable units with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA. Additionally, transfer degrees also require the completion of Cal-GETC general education. Please note that some courses are only transferable to a CSU, and this is noted in the program map. To transfer to a UC, students must complete at least 60 UC transferable units.

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

Cal-GETC

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-C1000 Academic Reading and Writing 3
PSYC/SOCI-121 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences 3
CSCR-100 College Success and Career Readiness 3
SJS-101 Introduction to Social Justice Studies 3
COMM-C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 1
ENGL-C1001 Critical Thinking and Writing 3
SOCI-101 Principles of Sociology 3
BIOL-115 Introductory Topics in Biology: Cells to Ecosystems (formerly Topics in Biology) 4
POLS-C1000 American Government and Politics 3
SOCI/PSYC-112 Gender and Social Interaction 3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
SJS-130 Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Queer Studies 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
SOCI-102 Contemporary Social Problems 3
ART-100
Art Appreciation
or Introduction and Appreciation of Music
or Introduction to Theater
3
HIST/ETHS-160
Black History in the American Context
or Ethnic Politics in America
3
 Units16
Spring Semester 2
LIT/ETHS-275
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
or American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240)
or Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260)
or History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions)
3
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
COMM-108
Intercultural Communication
or Cultural Anthropology
or Introduction to Black Studies
3
HIST-112 U.S. History Since 1865 3
Elective: Social Justice Studies Elective 1 3
 Units15
 Total Units62
1

Choose any Social Justice Studies course that has not already been taken. 

Language Other Than English (LOTE):
This is a graduation requirement for UC campuses but not for admission. You can fulfill LOTE by completing two years of the same foreign language in high school with a grade of C or better in the final semester; by completing one semester of a foreign language at a college, or by demonstrating proficiency with a grade of C or better in ASL-100, FREN-101, or SPAN-101. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for this requirement. Review individual campus information and requirements here: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/uc-graduation-requirements/ 
Some CSU campuses may also require language proficiency for graduation, and more than one semester may be necessary. 
At MSJC, LOTE courses count as electives. For personalized guidance, please consult your MSJC Counselor.

CSU - U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals:
This is a graduation requirement for CSU campuses but not for admission. Although not a Cal-GETC requirement, MSJC may certify completion of the CSU graduation requirement in U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals with POLS-1000/1000H and HIST-111/111H or HIST-112/112H. Courses used to meet this requirement may also be used to satisfy Cal-GETC Subject Area 4 requirements.

High School Students:
Students are encouraged to take courses during the summer before the Fall semester begins, specifically for students majoring in STEM. 

Work Based Learning:
Sign up for a special project or internship opportunity to gain valuable work experience and earn credits. For more information, email AWBL@msjc.edu or call 951-639-5352.

Course Title Credits
Required Core Courses
SOCI/PSYC-112Gender and Social Interaction3
SJS-101Introduction to Social Justice Studies3
or SJS-101H Honors Introduction to Social Justice Studies
Select one of the following:3
Cultural Anthropology
Honors Cultural Anthropology
Intercultural Communication
Honors Intercultural Communication
World Regional Geography
History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions)
California History
Honors California History
Black History in the American Context
Honors Black History in the American Context
Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260)
Honors Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260H)
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
Honors Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280H)
Principles of Sociology
Honors Principles of Sociology
Contemporary Social Problems
List A: Select three
Select three courses not already used above from at least two of the following areas. Courses must be related to social justice, gender/women, or ethnicity/race.9-10
Area 1: History or Government
Women in United States History
Honors Women in United States History
Black History in the American Context
Honors Black History in the American Context
Ethnic Politics in America
Honors Ethnic Politics in America
Area 2: Arts and Humanities
American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240)
Honors American Indian Literature (formerly ENGL-240H)
Gender and Sexuality in Literature
Honors Gender and Sexuality in Literature
Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260)
Honors Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260H)
Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Honors Latinx/Chicanx Literature
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
Honors Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280H)
Area 3: Social Science
Psychology of Gender
Honors Psychology of Gender
Gender and Social Interaction
Intercultural Relations
Contemporary Chicano in Society
Area 4: Quantitative Reasoning and Research Methods
Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
Social Research Methodology With Lab
Honors Social Research Methodology With Lab
Introduction to Statistics
Area 5: Major Preparation
Cultural Anthropology
Honors Cultural Anthropology
Intercultural Communication
Honors Intercultural Communication
World Regional Geography
History of World Religions (formerly HUM-104 World Religions)
California History
Honors California History
Black History in the American Context
Honors Black History in the American Context
Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260)
Honors Introduction to African American Literature (formerly ENGL-260H)
Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280)
Honors Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280H)
Principles of Sociology
Honors Principles of Sociology
Contemporary Social Problems
Total Units18-19
Course Title Credits
Units for Major18-19
Cal-GETC Pattern34
Possible double counting: 18
Transferable Electives (as need to reach 60 transferable units)

 Total Units for A.A.-T Degree: 60 units

The overall requirements for this Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) can be met by:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer.
  • Completion of Cal-GETC requirements.
  • Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  • Completion of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is acceptable if pass is defined as a grade of C or better. ADTs are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. A student completing an ADT is guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not a particular campus or major. Students should meet with a Counselor to develop a comprehensive educational plan to further understand university and transfer requirements.

Discover information about careers that interest you!

  1. Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests. 
  2. Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements. 
  3. Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.

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.