Sociology Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree

Program Description

Sociologists study human’s social lives, activities, interactions, processes, and organizations within the context of larger social, political, and economic forces. They examine how social influences affect different individuals and groups, and the ways organizations and institutions affect people’s lives. The Sociology Transfer Pathway provides a broad base of general education relevant to sociology careers, and prepares students for transfer to a designated Sociology bachelor’s degree program at Minnesota State universities. The sociology major teaches students how to think about individuals, groups, institutions, communities and societies in all of their complexity and interconnectedness and how to use the scientific method to ask and answer social research questions about these entities using data. Employers seek to hire candidates with strong analytic and communication skills, who can think creatively about problems, work in collaborative environments, and leverage diversity to maximize success for their organizations and employees.

Program Outcomes

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
• Ask an economic question, gather information and resources, form an explanatory hypothesis, collect data that can be used to test the hypothesis, analyze the data, draw conclusions, and suggest future research;
• Work with mathematical formalizations of economic models and perform mathematical operations; explain the design and results of laboratory and field experiments; and explain the conduct, results, and limitations of basic econometrics;
• Explain economic models as deliberate simplifications of reality that economists create to think through complex, nondeterministic behaviors; identify the assumptions and limitations of each model and their potential impacts;
• Explain the strengths and limitations of economic data and statistical analyses; and think creatively and combine or synthesize existing economic ideas in original ways; and
• Demonstrate knowledge of major economic institutions and familiarity with magnitudes of common economic statistics.

Transfer Opportunities

The Sociology Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Sociology bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so students completing this pathway degree and transferring to a Minnesota State university may enter with junior-year status. Courses in the Sociology Transfer Pathway associates degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs. Students should consult with an advisor for guidance regarding how to best meet the requirements of their intended baccalaureate program. Universities within the Minnesota State system participating in the Sociology Transfer Pathway include:
• Bemidji State University – BA
• Metropolitan State University – BAS
• Minnesota State University, Mankato – BA/BS
• Minnesota State University, Moorhead – BA
• Southwest State University, BA
• St. Cloud State University – BA
• Winona State University – BA

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html