Law, Public Policy, and Society AA-T

What can I do with this?

We are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. This provides a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. This AA-T degree guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and gives priority admission consideration to your local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to your community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. More information on the Degree with a Guarantee Program.

The Law, Public Policy, and Society AA Degree for Transfer

• Guarantees acceptance to the CSU system
• Introduces students to the study of law and the legal field.
• Focuses on the over breadth of how law affects public policy and society for a socially responsible career in law.
• Prepares students to continue in a related degree such as legal studies, political science, communication, social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or other similar degrees. This degree is specifically designed for transfer.
• Prepares students for transfer at the junior level to California State University programs and colleges offering bachelor's degrees, and possibly law school. This is an interdisciplinary degree that covers multiple areas of the law for possible careers as:
  • Paralegal and Legal Assistants
  • Legal Secretaries
  • Lawyers
  • Judicial Law Clerks

Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.

What will I learn?

• Identify sources of American law and articulate how a law is created.
• Describe the American legal system, including jurisdictional requirements, state and federal court systems, and roles of those in the legal field.
• Locate, critically read, and analyze relevant primary and secondary sources.
• Apply laws, public policy, and/or societal or ethical theories to develop a solution to a legal issue, a public policy issue, and/or a societal concern.
• Describe one's ethical obligation to social responsibility under the laws.

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the Department Chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation and verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please see a counselor for more information about the Prerequisite Challenge process.

Complete all of the following courses:

List A

Select two courses (6 units) from two of the areas listed below.

Criminal Justice

Business

Economics

Political Science

Diversity

General Ed Requirements

Complete one of the following general education patterns:

• Option B | Cal-GETC – California General Education Transfer Curriculum

Program Pathways

All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online Ridgecrest/IWV

Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.

Approximate Total Costs

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.