Social Work, Area of Concentration in Arts & Sciences (AA)
Award: Associate of Arts Degree
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Teresa Herbert at therbert@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The Sociology program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in government, business, and non-profit organizations, such as research and demography, clinical and counseling services, applied anthropology, and human services. Students can choose from three concentrations that have been developed to facilitate transfer to baccalaureate programs in sociology, social work, or anthropology/sociology.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the sociology program, students will be able to:
- Apply basic concepts and theories of the discipline to various social structures.
- Compose research papers employing appropriate information literacy skills and using standard writing formats such as APA.
- Identify patterns of human behavior and apply appropriate human constructs through their participation in an experiential learning activity.
- Identify and employ the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) core competency standards and practice behaviors for Generalist Social Work practice.
Transfer Information
Students have options for transfer to many institutions, both in Maryland and across the United States.
Employment Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for sociologists are expected to grow through 2020. Employment for social workers, especially, is expected to increase faster than average (25%) 2010- 2020.
Degree Requirements
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GB) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL) 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SOC 102 | Social Problems (GB) | 3 |
| ENG 109 | English Composition: Research Writing | 3 |
| SOC 200 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (GM) 2,3 | 3 | |
| General Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| SOC 201 | Marriage and the Family (GB) | 3 |
| CMST 101 or CMST 105 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) or Interpersonal Communication (GI) | 3 |
| SOC 214 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| General Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Microeconomics (GB) | ||
| American National Government (GB) | ||
| State and Local Government (GB) | ||
| Social Work Track Elective | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| History Elective (GB) 5 | 3 | |
| Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS) 6 | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
BIO 100 Fundamentals of Biology (GL) or BIO 120 General Biology I (GL) is recommended.
- 2
MATH 216 Introduction to Statistics (GM) is recommended if transfer is planned.
- 3
A four credit course in mathematics (GM) may be substituted.
- 4
Electives should be chosen according to personal and career interests or to the requirements of the institution to which transfer is planned. It is suggested students take 3-9 credits of foreign language.
- 5
History elective should be chosen to satisfy the requirements of the institution to which transfer is planned.
- 6
A four credit Biological/Physical Science Lab (GL) course may be substituted.
Social Work Track Elective
Select one of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 213 | Criminology (same course as CJ 213) | 3 |
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| PSY 208 | Alcohol/Drugs: Impact on Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 212 | The Helping Relationship | 3 |
| PSY 214 | Human Development Across the Life Span | 3 |
| SOC 212 | Race, Class & Gender in the United States (GB) | 3 |
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)
Part-Time Progression Plan
The part-time progression plan for programs of study has been developed as a helpful example for students to guide their academic journey. This plan outlines a likely sequence of courses and milestones over three years to help students visualize their academic path. It is important to note that this progression plan is based solely on the core requirements outlined in the approved program of study and does not include any additional requirements. Each student’s experience may vary based on their specific interests, course availability, and academic history. Therefore, students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)
Part-Time General Education Electives
To earn an Associate degree, students must complete at least 60 college-level credits, including a required number of General Education (Gen Ed) credits:
- AA, AS, and AAT degrees require 28–36 General Education credits as part of the 60 total. This includes a minimum of:
- 6 credits of Arts/Humanities (GAH)
- 6 credits of Behavioral/Social Sciences (GB)
- 3 credits of English Composition (GE) - satisfied by ENG 101 English Composition (GE)
- 4 credits of Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
- 3 credits of Mathematics (GM)
- 3 credits of Biological/Physical Science (GS)
- AAS degrees require at least 18 General Education credits, including one course from each of the following categories: GAH, GB, GE, GL, and GM.
General Education courses must be selected from the college’s approved list and may be further specified by individual degree programs. Unless a General Education course is specifically required by a program, the elective General Education courses listed in the recommended sequence are intended as suggestions, not mandatory selections.
Recommended Part-Time Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GB) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL) 1 | 4 | |
| SOC 102 | Social Problems (GB) | 3 |
| ENG 109 | English Composition: Research Writing | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 200 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (GM) 3 | 3 | |
| SOC 201 | Marriage and the Family (GB) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| CMST 101 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 214 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Microeconomics (GB) | ||
| American National Government (GB) | ||
| State and Local Government (GB) | ||
| Social Work Track Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) | 3 | |
| History Elective | 3 | |
| Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS) | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Recommend BIO 100 Fundamentals of Biology (GL) or BIO 120 General Biology I (GL).
- 2
Recommend 3-9 credits of foreign language.
- 3
Recommend MATH 216 Introduction to Statistics (GM).
Social Work Track Electives
Select one of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 213 | Criminology (same course as CJ 213) | 3 |
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| PSY 208 | Alcohol/Drugs: Impact on Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 212 | The Helping Relationship | 3 |
| PSY 214 | Human Development Across the Life Span | 3 |
| SOC 212 | Race, Class & Gender in the United States (GB) | 3 |