AA/AS in Sociology

West Valley College's Associate in Arts in Sociology strengthens reasoning, problem solving and communication. Students use those abilities to understand diverse communities, how groups interact, and how societies change, and they learn to use scientific methods to answer complex social questions. The program leans toward transfer. A required core includes an introductory sociology class and a choice between social problems and its honors counterpart. Students then select electives from grouped lists, with options such as social psychology and the sociology of race and ethnicity. The degree prepares students to enter sociology or related majors at the university level. Completion also requires a general education pattern and enough additional units to satisfy the associate degree total. The requirements described here come from the college's 2026-2027 catalog, which also lists related degrees and certificates for students comparing their options. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to plan courses, confirm transfer expectations at their target university, and map out a realistic timeline for finishing.