Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences

Welcome to the Social and Behavioral Sciences Career and Academic Pathway

Valley College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Career and Academic Pathway is for students interested in how people think, interact, develop, visualize, or navigate our world. The Social and Behavioral Sciences focus on understanding individuals, groups, and social systems.


If you are a currently enrolled student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) pathway, join the SBS CAP Canvas site, the one-stop hub to help you succeed and complete your pathway at LAVC.  

Join the SBS CAP Canvas Site 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Program Mapper

Want to explore the majors in this CAP and see what classes you would take?  We have a great tool available to help you plan your college and career path. 

Social and Behavioral Sciences Program Mapper

SBS CAP Programs and Departments

In the SBS CAP, students can major in a wide variety of disciplines including Anthropology (the study of humankind from the broadest possible perspectives), Economics (how individuals, institutions, and society make optimal choices under conditions of scarcity), Geography, History, Political Science (the academic study of the state, government, and politics), Psychology, and Sociology (including Social Welfare). Students interested in learning theoretical frameworks to explore and analyze the experiences of Mexican Americans and ethnic groups in the United States can major in Chicano Studies and Ethnic Studies.

SBS Areas of Study

Click on the tabs below to access information about each Area of Study.

Anthropology Area of Study 

Anthropology Department 

Anthropology Department Chair – Rebecca Stein, @email  

Child Development Area of Study 

Child Development Department 

Child Development Department Chair – Elmida Baghdaserians, @email 

Economics Area of Study 

Philosophy, Economics, and Jewish Studies Department 

Philosophy, Economics, and Jewish Studies Department Chair – Nathan Placencia, @email

Geography Area of Study 

Earth Science Department 

Earth Science Department Chair – Jacquelyn Hams, @email  

History Area of Study 

History, Humanities, Law, Political Science (HHLP) Department 

HHLP Chair – Michelle Visco, @email 

Political Science Area of Study 

History, Humanities, Law, Political Science (HHLP) Department 

HHLP Chair – Michelle Visco, @email 

Sociology Area of Study Page 

Department of Sociology and Ethnic Studies  

Department of Sociology and Ethnic Studies Department Chair - Keidra Morris, @email  

Meet Your LAVC Support Network

Your CAP is a network of people who are available to help you with your academic, career, and personal goals. Some of your community include Professors, Counselors, Success Coaches, Librarians, and Tutors. 

The career transfer center supports you in reaching your career and educational goals. We can help you discover your dream career, identify majors that can help you get there, and develop the skills needed to land an internship or job. If you are unsure about your major or career, considering changing your major, or need help finding work, the Career Transfer Center is there for you.  We can support you in making informed career decisions, building your resume, developing your interviewing and networking skills, and searching for jobs & internships. Visit the Career Transfer Center web page to make an appointment with a career specialist, sign up for a workshop, and learn about our upcoming career events. 
 
Visit the Career Transfer Center 
 
Examples of Questions to Ask a Member of the Career Transfer Center: 

  • What steps can I take to learn about what career and major best align with my interests, values, and skills? 

  • What career opportunities are available within the major I am considering? 

  • What internships or other opportunities are available to help me develop my job readiness skills? 

  • What jobs are available in my area of interest? 

  • How can I prepare myself to increase my chances of securing a job? 

  • Which career community is best for me based on my interests? 

Counselors are available to answer your academic, career, and personal questions and to help you to develop an educational plan. Counselors can help you plan out your semester-by-semester course selections to maximize your chances of completing your degree, certificate and/or transfer goals. They can also help you learn how to choose a career, major, and transfer institution and provide strategies for being academically and personally successful. Be sure to visit your counselor regularly to update your education plan based on your major and transfer goals. Make an appointment with a counselor here: 

Visit Counseling 
 
Examples of Questions to Ask Your Counselor: 

  • Can we review my Student Educational Plan (SEP)?

  • What courses should I take to meet my career/academic goal(s)? 

  • How do I receive credit for AP (Advanced Placement) test scores? 

  • How do I receive credit for coursework completed at another college? 

  • How many classes should I take each term?  

  • How many units are needed to meet my academic goal?  

  • How can I improve my current academic standing? 

LAVC Librarians are experts in academic research and citation. We can guide you through all phases of the research process: understanding research assignments, selecting a topic, developing research strategies, finding credible sources, and citing information. We provide one-on-one research assistance at the Reference Desk every hour the library is open, and 24/7 live chat support online. No appointment is required. 
 
Get Your questions answered by a librarian anytime, anywhere! 
 
Chat Now 
 
Examples of Questions to a Librarian:  
 

  • How do I use library databases to find resources relevant to my assignment?  

  • Can you help me understand my research assignment?  

  • How can I determine if the information I found online is credible?   

  • How do I cite an image I found online?  

  • What’s the difference between MLA and APA citation format? 

Professors can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in your academic and professional careers. You can reach your instructor through their LAVC email, which you can find using the directory link on the LAVC website.  You can also find their preferred contact information through the course syllabus. The syllabus will also provide information about faculty office hours, which are times outside of class specifically designated for meeting with students. Office hours sometimes referred to as faculty drop-in hours are a great place to ask questions and build professional relationships with faculty members.  It is important to get to know your professors, especially in your major, because they can provide valuable career and/or transfer advice and may be able to provide references/letters of recommendation when you need them. 

Reach out to Professors via email, during office hours, or on Canvas. 

LAVC Directory of Email Address

Examples of Questions to Ask Your Professors: 

  • Can you please clarify this assignment?  

  • How can I best prepare for your exams? 

  • What strategies do you recommend for reading the materials/texts in your class?  

  • Where can I go for tutoring and/or supplemental instruction? 

  • What are the common habits of your best students? 

  • Why did you decide to major in this field? 

Student Success Coaches are available to help you adjust to all aspects of college including how to do well in your classes, how to connect to clubs and other opportunities to make friends, and how to find school/life balance.  We are your advocates and partners here to help you navigate college successfully and can connect you to a wide range of support and resources both on and off campus. We will reach out by email to introduce ourselves, so be sure to check your LACCD email regularly.   
 
Examples of Questions to Ask A Success Coach 
 

  • Where can I go for help with _______________? 

  • How do I navigate Canvas or my student email? 

  • I got this email from LAVC. What does it mean? 

  • How do I choose which professors might be a good match for me?  

  • I am struggling with balancing school, work, and other responsibilities, what advice do you have? 

  • I am experiencing food and/or housing insecurity.  Who can I reach out to for help?   

  • I need to see a counselor.  What should I do to prepare before I go so I get the most out of my appointment? 

Tutoring is a powerful tool that all students should take advantage of, whether or not they are struggling in a class. Tutors are LAVC students who can help you in a wide range of subjects and can also model the techniques, strategies, and beliefs that successful learners use to acquire new knowledge, solve problems, and complete academic tasks. In short, tutors help LAVC students develop the skills they’ll need to do their work independently. 

We offer tutoring and academic support in a wide variety of subjects as well as provide resources like study rooms, laptop/book use, and instructional handouts.  

Visit the Academic Resource Center  (ARC) website to connect with a tutor in person or online! 

Academic Resource Center
 
Examples of Questions to ask a Tutor:  

  • What are some things you did to be successful in your courses? 

  • Is there anything I can do before I ask for tutoring to help my session be productive?  

  • As a student, do you have any general advice on being a student here at LAVC? 

  • What are some outside resources and/or tips I can use to help me prepare for an exam? 

CAP in Action

The Social and Behavioral Sciences CAP is a dynamic and engaging pathway that provides opportunities to experience art and culture across of variety of mediums.  

Check the calendar for upcoming CAP events.

Student Clubs within the CAP

Student clubs are a great way to network within the CAP, connect with other students, and explore topics related to the CAP. 

Anthropology Club: Contact Professor Eugene Scott at scottek@ipad2vpn.net and visit the Anthropology Club Website

Psychology Club: Contact Professor Wilson Chu at chuw@ipad2vpn.net

In addition to the CAP-specific clubs, the Associated Student Union (ASU) also has numerous clubs for students. Visit the ASU website for more information. 

Social and Behavioral Sciences Programs

African American Studies
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
African American Studies C
Anthropology
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Anthropology AA-T
Chicano Studies
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Chicano Studies AA
Child Development
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Child Development AA
Child Development: Associate Teacher, Preschool (A) C
Child Development: Director, Preschool (B) C
Child Development: Early Childhood Education AA
Child Development: Infant/Toddler Care Teacher (D) C
Child Development: School Age Programs Teacher Day Care (C) C
Child Development: Special Education AA
Child Development: Teacher C
Early Childhood Education AS-T
Elementary Teacher Education AA-T
Adult Education
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Children and Parenting - Career Prep
Economics
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Economics AA-T AA
Ethnic Studies
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Ethnic Studies AA
Geography
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Geography AA-T AA
History
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
History AA-T AA
Jewish Studies
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Jewish Studies AA
Education
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Liberal Studies: Multiple Subject Teacher Prep AA
Political Science
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Political Science AA-T AA
Psychology
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Psychology AA-T
Religious Studies
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Religious Studies AA
Sociology
Area of Study Transfer Degree Degree Certificate Skill Certificate
Sociology AA-T AA
Sociology: Social Welfare AA