Social Justice Studies (AAT)
Program Overview:
Create Greater Social Equity to Instill an Inclusive Multicultural Democracy
Work for a nonprofit that assists with housing inequities. Make sure that the company that you work for does not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, or class. Become a community advocate to create greater social equality in education. Pursue a career in law to represent marginalized communities. With a degree in Social Justice Studies, you can become an activist for an inclusive multicultural democracy.
Social Justice Studies will allow you to become a self-empowered leader to transform the world around you. This program includes core courses in sociology, history, and political science to investigate historical and modern-day social inequalities. You will focus on ways to create greater social equality and engage with the local community to gain the skills needed to bring what you learn into practice.
Careers in Social Justice Studie
There are many exciting and rewarding careers that you can have with a degree in Social Justice Studies. You can work in nonprofit organizations, social work, education, labor relations, human resources, and community-based organizations. You will have the opportunity to work closely with others who have a passion for fighting social inequality.
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a Social Justice Studies degree:
Career information below taken from bls.gov November 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They also handle employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $73,180/year | $35.18/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (faster than average) | 24,100 |
Help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
Data for state of California
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work | $72,200/year | $34.71/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (much faster than average) | 10,660 |
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
Data for state of California
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $81,280/year | $39.08/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 2% increase (little or no change) | 8,160 |
Direct the creation of materials that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.
Data for state of California
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $141,990/year | $68.26/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or more | 8% increase (faster than average) | 8,330 |
Coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $55,320/year | $31.41/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Less than 5 years | 13% increase (faster than average) | 168,800 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Social Justice Studies
You now can get Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) in LASC’s Social Justice Studies program where you will refine your awareness of and respect for human diversity:
- Explore the connections between the ideals and the realities of social justices by examining inequalities based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and class.
- Learn the forms of resistance and the processes of empowerment through examining various social movements throughout U.S. history.
- Discover the dynamics of power and privilege, prejudice and discrimination, and the interlocking systems of oppression.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- To transfer with your Associate Degree for Transfer in Social Justice, once you complete this program, you will have guaranteed admission into a CSU, and some UCs, to work towards your bachelor’s degree! Visit your academic counselor for details.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Arts in Transfer in Social Justice Studies (AAT) degree along with our suggested course of study for this program below. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 2201.30
Total Units Required: 60
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| SOC 11 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| SOC 31 Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| SOC 50 Introduction to Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| List A: Select three courses from at least two of the following areas: | |
| Area 1: History or Government | |
| HIST11 Political and Social History of the United States I | 3 |
| OR | |
| HIST 12 Political and Social History of the United States II | 3 |
| Area 2: Social Science | |
| CHICANO 4 Introduction to Chicano Studies | 3 |
| OR | |
| AFRO AM 7 Black Americans and the Political System | 3 |
| Area 3: Quantitative Reasoning and Research | |
| Methods MATH 227 Statistics | 3 |
| OR | |
| SOC 4 Sociological Analysis | 3 |
| Area 4: Major Preparation | |
| HIST 41 The African American in the History of the United States I | 3 |
| OR | |
| HIST 43 The Mexican-American in the History of the United States I | |
| TOTAL UNITS | 21-22 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Before your first class starts at LASC, you can begin preparing for your future career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop your Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your career goals, as well as which four-year universities and colleges would be a good match for your future plans.
- Still in high school? Search for opportunities to volunteer with nonprofit organizations or for an after-school program. Talk with your high school counselor to find out if there are opportunities to intern at institutions like these, and if there are opportunities to assist with grassroots organizing or shadow a social worker for the day. Look for summer opportunities in your local community service organizations where you can learn more, and gain experience in your future career.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a student, upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Learn valuable insight into careers in nonprofit, governmental, educational, political, labor, philanthropic, humanitarian, and community-based organizations.
- Increase civic engagement and leadership, giving them the tools necessary for self-empowerment and transformation.