Social Sciences
Explore the Social Sciences
Social Sciences at CCC gives you the tools to ask better questions, navigate complex systems, and build skills that employers across healthcare, business, government, technology, and nonprofit work are actively looking for.
Below you will find each discipline, a description of what it covers, and how to find current courses in the catalog.
A note on General Education
All of the courses listed on this page satisfy one or more requirements of the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC), which transfers to all Arizona public universities. Many also carry special designations including Ethnic, Race, and Gender Awareness (E), Contemporary Global and International Awareness (C), Historical Awareness, and Institutions in the Americas. These designations are required components of the AGEC and are worth understanding before you choose your courses.
Speak with an academic advisor before registering to make sure the courses you choose satisfy the right requirements for your degree and your intended transfer institution.
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Applied Indigenous Studies
Applied Indigenous Studies explores the histories, cultures, legal status, and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples in Arizona, the United States, and around the world. At CCC, where one in five students is Native American and where the land itself carries deep Indigenous history, these courses are not background knowledge. They are central to understanding the communities we are part of.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences or Institutions in the Americas requirements; students planning to transfer into Indigenous studies, anthropology, education, social work, or public administration programs; students who want to develop a more accurate and nuanced understanding of Indigenous peoples and communities in Northern Arizona and beyond.
Courses at CCC: To see the full current course list, search for the AIS prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View Applied Indigenous Studies Courses in the Catalog]
Where this can take you: Bachelor’s degrees in Applied Indigenous Studies, anthropology, education, social work, counseling, public administration, and tribal governance. NAU offers one of the few Applied Indigenous Studies bachelor’s degree programs in the country, and CCC coursework provides a strong foundation for that pathway.
Anthropology
Every human society has found ways to make meaning, organize communities, and pass knowledge across generations. Anthropology studies how and why, examining human cultures, histories, and biological development across time and place. It is one of the most intellectually wide-ranging disciplines in the social sciences, and it asks some of the most enduring questions about what connects us and what sets us apart.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences or Arts and Humanities requirements; students planning to transfer into anthropology, archaeology, sociology, Indigenous studies, or education programs; students interested in human diversity, culture, and the forces that shape communities.
Courses at CCC: To see the full current course list, search for the ANT prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View Anthropology Courses in the Catalog]
AGEC Note: Introductory anthropology courses at CCC may satisfy either the AGEC Arts and Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement depending on the course. Speak with an advisor to confirm which category applies.
Where this can take you with further education: Bachelor’s degrees in anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous studies, sociology, education, social work, museum studies, and international relations.
History
The world you live in was shaped by decisions made long before you were born. History courses give you the tools to understand those decisions, trace their consequences, and think more clearly about the present. At CCC, history is not just a requirement. It is a way of developing the analytical and research skills that serve students in law, education, public service, and almost every field that requires good judgment.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements; students planning to transfer into history, political science, education, or pre-law programs; students interested in understanding how events, cultures, and societies have shaped the world we live in.
CCC Courses: To see the full current course list, search for the HIS prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View History Courses in the Catalog]
AGEC Note: History courses at CCC satisfy the AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement, not Arts and Humanities. Several history courses also carry Contemporary Global and International Awareness and Ethnic, Race, and Gender Awareness designations. Speak with an advisor to confirm which designations apply to the specific course you are considering. [catalog.coconino.edu]
Where this can take you with further education: Bachelor’s degrees in history, political science, education, law, public administration, and museum studies.
Psychology
Why do people do what they do? Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, behavior, and human development, and it is one of the most widely applicable disciplines in higher education. The skills you develop in psychology, including how to evaluate evidence, understand behavior, and think critically about human experience, are relevant to almost every field that involves working with people.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements; students planning to transfer into psychology, counseling, social work, education, nursing, or pre-medicine programs; students who want to understand human behavior and mental processes more deeply.
CCC Courses: To see the full current course list, search for the PSY prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View Psychology Courses in the Catalog]
AGEC Note: Psychology courses satisfy the AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement. PSY 101 is specifically recommended as part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement for Early Childhood Education AAS students.
Where this can take you with further education: Bachelor’s degrees in psychology, counseling, social work, education, nursing, pre-medicine, public health, and human services. Psychology is one of the most versatile undergraduate majors and supports graduate study in clinical psychology, counseling, and a wide range of health and human services fields.
Sociology
We do not live our lives in isolation. The communities, institutions, and social systems around us shape who we are and what opportunities are available to us. Sociology examines those systems, asking how they are built, who they serve, and how they change. It explores institutions, inequality, culture, and the systems that hold communities together or push them apart.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements; students planning to transfer into sociology, social work, criminal justice, public administration, or education programs; students interested in understanding social inequality, community dynamics, and social change.
CCC Courses: To see the full current course list, search for the SOC prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View Sociology Courses in the Catalog]
AGEC Note: Sociology courses satisfy the AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement. SOC 210 Sociology of Gender and SOC 215 Race and Ethnic Relations are specifically recommended as Social and Behavioral Sciences electives for the Administration of Justice AA degree. Both carry Ethnic, Race, and Gender Awareness designations.
Where this can take you with further education: Bachelor’s degrees in sociology, social work, criminal justice, public administration, education, public health, and community organizing.
Geography
Place matters. Where we live, how land is used, how resources are distributed, and how environments change all shape human experience in ways that are easy to overlook until you start paying attention. Geography gives you the tools to pay attention, examining the relationship between people and the physical and human environments they inhabit across local, regional, and global scales.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences or Natural Sciences requirements depending on the course; students planning to transfer into geography, environmental science, urban planning, or related programs; students interested in place, environment, and the human-land relationship.
CCC courses: To see the full current course list, search for the GEO prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View Geography Courses in the Catalog]
Where this can take you with further education: Bachelor’s degrees in geography, environmental science, urban planning, natural resource management, and related fields.
Economics
Economics examines how individuals, businesses, and societies make decisions about the allocation of resources. It bridges the social sciences and business, developing analytical and quantitative thinking skills that apply across many fields.
Who this is for: Students completing AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements; students planning to transfer into economics, business, public policy, or political science programs; students who want to understand how markets, governments, and individuals make decisions.
CCC Courses: To see the full current course list, search for the ECN prefix in the CCC Course Catalog. [View Economics Courses in the Catalog]
Where this can take you with further education: Bachelor’s degrees in economics, business, public policy, political science, finance, and international relations. Economics is particularly strong preparation for students considering law school, public administration, or graduate study in business.
What Can I do Within Social Sciences?
Social Sciences graduates work across virtually every sector. The skills you build here, including research methods, data analysis, cultural competency and systems thinking, are transferable to roles far beyond traditional public service.
Career paths students pursue after transferring include:
- Counselor or Therapist (with further education)
- Clinical or School Psychologist (with further education)
- Social Worker or Case Manager (with further education)
- Market Research Analyst
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Human Resources Specialist
- Anthropologist or Archaeologist (with further education)
- Community Outreach Coordinator
Note: Many roles in psychology, social work, and anthropology require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Planning your transfer pathway early with an advisor ensures you are taking the right courses from the start.
What Will I Learn?
Social sciences courses at CCC build a set of skills that apply far beyond the classroom:
- Human behavior at the individual, group and societal level
- Research methods, data collection and critical analysis
- Ethical frameworks for working with diverse populations
- Historical and cultural context for understanding social systems
- Foundations of psychological theory and practice
- How social institutions form, function and change over time
Transfer Options
Most students in the Social Sciences are building toward a four-year degree. The AGEC, or Arizona General Education Curriculum, is how you make sure your credits get you there.
When you complete the AGEC block at CCC, your general education credits transfer to ASU, NAU, and the University of Arizona. Completing an AGEC with a 2.5 GPA also waives all lower-division admission requirements at Arizona public universities, which means you are unconditionally admitted to the university of your choice.
For most students pursuing transfer in Social Sciences, the AGEC-A certificate is the most efficient path. CCC also offers a fully online AGEC-A for students who need flexibility.
Career Outlook
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- Do I need to declare a major before I start taking Social Sciences courses?
No. Many students begin with general education courses before deciding on a specific area of focus. If you have a general interest in anthropology, psychology, sociology, or social work, an advisor can help you choose courses that count toward your AGEC and align with your likely transfer major at the same time. Starting with the AGEC is almost always the right first move.
- Will my Social Sciences credits transfer to a four-year university?
Yes, when completed as part of the AGEC. The Arizona General Education Curriculum is a statewide agreement that guarantees your general education credits transfer as a block to ASU, NAU, and the University of Arizona. If you complete the AGEC with a 2.5 GPA, you are also guaranteed unconditional admission to any of those universities. Meeting with an advisor early ensures the courses you choose count toward both your AGEC and your intended transfer major.
- Can I become a licensed psychologist, counselor, or social worker with courses from CCC?
Not directly. Most licensed professional roles in psychology and counseling require a master’s or doctoral degree, and professional social work requires at minimum a Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited program. CCC’s Social Sciences courses are designed to build the foundation you need to transfer to a four-year university and pursue those credentials. The earlier you plan your transfer pathway, the more efficiently you can get there.
- Can I complete Social Sciences coursework online?
CCC offers a fully online AGEC-A certificate, which is the primary credential for Social Sciences students planning to transfer. Not all courses are available online every semester, so it is important to check the class schedule and work with an advisor to plan your sequence.
- What is the difference between the AGEC-A and an Associate of Arts degree?
Both are transfer-focused credentials, but they serve slightly different purposes. The AGEC-A is a 35-credit general education block that fulfills lower-division general education requirements at Arizona public universities. The Associate of Arts degree includes the AGEC as well as additional coursework and is a full two-year degree. For many Social Sciences students, the AGEC-A is the most efficient path to transfer, but the right choice depends on your goals and your intended transfer institution. An advisor can help you decide which makes more sense for your situation.
- How do I know which Social Sciences courses to take?
That depends on what you want to study and where you plan to transfer. CCC has university guides for anthropology, psychology, sociology, and social work that outline recommended course sequences for students planning to transfer to NAU, ASU, and the University of Arizona. Your advisor can walk you through those guides and help you build a plan that gets you to your goal without taking courses you do not need.
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Next Steps:
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