Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Social Work

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU171 Introduction to Social Work Critical course Gateway course H, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC 3
PSY101 or
SOC101
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB 3
Interdisciplinary Requirement Interdisciplinary Requirement Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three area tracks 3
C or
Second Language
Cultural Diversity in the US or Any 101 Level Language Course Cultures or Language: Completion of three courses in cultural diversity or Completion of a language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) C 3–5
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 0–3
POS110 or
SWU182
American National Government or A Social Services Perspective of Government SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
PHI101 or
PHI105 or
SWU183
Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Ethics or Introductory Ethics: A Social Service Perspective HU 3
Second Language Any 102 Level Language Course 0–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ECN211 or
SWU181
Macroeconomic Principles or Economics: A Social Issues Perspective SB 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend SWU225 CS 3
C or
Second Language
Cultural Diversity in the US or Any 201 Level Language Course Cultures or Language: Completion of three courses in cultural diversity or Completion of a language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) C 3–5
SWU291 Social Service Delivery Systems 3
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU295 Effective Helping in a Diverse World Course carries C and SB values and meets ASU Cultural Sequence #3 C, SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
C or
Second Language
Cultural Diversity in the US or Any 202 Level Language Course Cultures or Language: Completion of three courses in cultural diversity or Completion of a language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) C 0–5
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies L and COM or L and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. L 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
Interdisciplinary Requirement Interdisciplinary Requirement Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three area tracks 3
Elective Elective Recommend SWU130 or SWU250 or SWU258. 0–3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU171 Introduction to Social Work Critical course Gateway course H, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
POS110 or
SWU182
American National Government or A Social Services Perspective of Government SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PSY101 or
SOC101
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics Critical course OR Higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PHI101 or
PHI105 or
SWU183
Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Ethics or Introductory Ethics: A Social Service Perspective HU 3
Interdisciplinary Requirement Interdisciplinary Requirement Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three area tracks 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ECN211 or
SWU181
Macroeconomic Principles or Economics: A Social Issues Perspective SB 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend SWU225 CS 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU291 Social Service Delivery Systems 3
C or
Second Language
Cultural Diversity in the US or Any 101 Level Language Course Cultures or Language: Completion of three courses in cultural diversity or Completion of a language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) C 3–5

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SWU295 Effective Helping in a Diverse World Course carries C and SB values and meets ASU Cultural Sequence #3 3
C or
Second Language
Cultural Diversity in the US or Any 102 Level Language Course Cultures or Language: Completion of three courses in cultural diversity or Completion of a language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) C 0–5

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
C or
Second Language
Cultural Diversity in the US or Any 201 Level Language Course Cultures or Language: Completion of three courses in cultural diversity or Completion of a language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) C 3–5

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Arts, and Design Area 3
Interdisciplinary Requirement Interdisciplinary Requirement Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three area tracks 3
Second Language Any 202 Level Language Course 0–5

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Recommend selecting a course that satisfies L and COM or L and CRE101 requirements simultaneously. 3
SQ Any SQ Natural Sciences course 4
Elective Elective Recommend SWU130 or SWU250 or SWU258. 0–3

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.