The Associate in Arts in Social Work and Human Services for Transfer is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution as Social Work and Human Services majors. In this program, the students gain exposure to the field of social and human service work. Students who successfully complete the AA-T in Social Work and Human Services earn specific guarantees for transfer to the CSU system: admission to a CSU with junior status and priority admission to a local CSU campus and to a program or major in Social Work and Human Service or a similar major.

This degree intends to prepare students for careers and/or higher education in the social sciences, generally, or in the specific disciplines within the overall social science designation. This degree emphasizes the nature of individual and collective human behavior; our interactions; the political-economic, social, and psychological structures and institutions of human beings; and the challenges of developing and sustaining interpersonal and intercultural relationships. This degree will enhance their ability to explain how groups and subgroups operate to make responsible political, moral, and social decisions.

Sociology examines how societies shape people's lives and how individuals shape the societies in which they live. Sociologists study social institutions, like the family, education, and criminal justice, as well as relations between groups based on race, gender, sexuality, and social class. Sociology courses allow you to gain skills for jobs in business, health care, criminal justice, government agencies, various nonprofit organizations, and other venues.

Social and Behavioral Studies is a collection of academic disciplines dedicated to the scholarly study of the human experience. As a comprehensive and multidisciplinary area of study, Social and Behavioral Studies will afford the student an opportunity to explore and examine the nature and multitude of interactive relationships amongst and between individuals and between the individual and their social environment; ranging from the development of the individual to the nuances of interpersonal interaction, to the dynamic structures of national and global communities. Ultimately, the student of Social and Behavioral Studies will gain a heightened awareness of the nature of their individuality, attain a greater understanding and appreciation of the complexities and diversity of the world in which they live, and, become better equipped to succeed in an increasingly diverse and complex society.

The Social Work Associate in Arts curriculum was developed to meet the needs of current and prospective students interested in transferring to a college or university and eventually earning a Bachelor in Social Work degree. The curriculum provides students with introductory-level knowledge in the field of social work study and supports a seamless transfer to the junior-level status at a four-year college or university offering a Council of Social Work Education-Accredited Bachelor in Social Work degree (BSW).

The following course set fulfills the requirement of the Specialization in Political Science for the Associate of Arts (DTA)Degree and prepares students for transfer as a political science major with junior standing at the University of Washington-Tacoma and the University of Washington-Seattle.

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T in Political Science) is designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU institution for students who plan to transfer and complete a CSU major or baccalaureate degree in Spanish. This program offers insights into these events on the local, state, national, and international levels and these insights also encourage the involvement of the citizenry. Students completing this program successfully will be able to identify and explain the sources of and reasons for democratic government.

The Associate in Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences degree program provides students with a broad perspective on human behavior. It is designed to stimulate appreciation for, and understanding of, values, ideas, and artifacts of culture and society. Critical thinking skills and self-understanding through these courses provide a framework for lifelong study in a variety of disciplines. Successful completion of the curriculum in Social and Behavioral Sciences offers students a breadth of knowledge that could be focused on single discipline degrees as well as applied to an interdisciplinary degree. The degree is intended for those who are considering transfer but have not decided on a major or for those who are required to complete a degree for a job promotion. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor to develop their own program of study.

These courses emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to the understanding and study of human behavior and social organization. Students study and analyze human societies; the institutions, organizations, and groups that comprise them; and the way individuals and groups relate to one another. Students develop an understanding of the various theories and methodologies of the disciplines, as well as skills in applying their knowledge in critical and useful ways as they navigate their own lives within a constantly changing and complex social world. For the Associate of Social Sciences, students must complete the General Education pattern and elective courses for an additional 42 units. Students must complete 18 units in the area of emphasis courses with a grade of “C” or better, 19 units of general education requirements, and an additional 23 units of elective courses for a total of 60 units. As this degree alone may not be complete preparation for transfer, students wishing to continue at the UC or CSU system should meet with a counselor to develop a transfer plan which addresses all general education and lower-division transfer requirements.

The United States, California, and the Santa Barbara area have a great variety of peoples of different ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds. All of these together make up the American Mosaic. The American Ethnic Studies Department examines the heritage, contributions and problems of these communities. Emphasis is placed on the Black, Mexican-American and Native American cultures. It is the department's belief that through an examination of the heritage of others, one can appreciate ones own heritage.

At all times, the political climate calls for skilled interpreters to help the public navigate new information, policies, and current events. These shepherds take the form of social science research assistants, political reporters and correspondents, political scientists, and lawyers. As a student of the Political Science program, you’ll have the opportunity to take your passion for political science and liberal arts to a local, national, or global level. Learn how to define, defend, and critique political concepts, systems, and theories while demonstrating effective communication skills for a diverse world.

The Justice Studies Associate's degree provides students with an introductory education in the Criminal Justice field. The degree provides a strong foundation for the bachelor's degree in Justice Studies and can serve as a stepping stone to a variety of careers in federal, state, and local criminal justice and human service agencies. In response to criminal justice agency-identified needs, the curriculum is strongly oriented to the social and behavioral sciences.

Upon completion of this program, the student will have developed a broad and critical understanding of the complex interconnections between the human and environmental forces in their world.

Anthropology is a broad discipline which employs both pure science and practical application to all aspects of human populations. The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer into bachelor's degree programs in Anthropology and similar programs at a CSU campus and guarantees admission to the CSU system. Students majoring in Anthropology have opportunities in archeology, cultural resource management, environmental impact analysis, ethnic relations, ethnology, exhibit design, expeditions, film ethnography, health research, linguistics, museum curatorship, population analysis, public information, recreation, redevelopment, social gerontology, social services consultation, transcultural nursing, travel consultation, and urban planning.

Students of the Associate of Arts (Pre-Social Work) degree program will gain multi-disciplinary knowledge in the faculties of arts, humanities, and social science, and develop their critical thinking and research skills. The program also includes a customizable concentration in pre-social work, which allows students to explore different areas in social sciences, including social welfare, psychology, sociology, gender, and Indigenous studies.