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 or FYC 3
PSY101 or
SOC101
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology SB or SB 3
Interdisciplinary Requirement Interdisciplinary Requirement Students must choose two classes from at least two of the three area tracks 3
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
0–5
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 SB or L or SB 0–3
POS110 or
SWU182
American National Government or A Social Services Perspective of Government SB or SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or 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 or HU or HU 3
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
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 or None 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application Recommend SWU225 CS 3
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
0–5
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 C, SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
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 or 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 or SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or 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 or 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 or HU or 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 None or SB or L or SB 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 or None 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
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 101 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
0–5

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 3
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 102 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
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
Second Language or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 201 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
0–5

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 or
Elective
Second Language Requirement, 202 Level or Elective Complete six (6) approved general education credits in the Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) area (consult with ASU for approved course options)
OR
Completion of second language courses at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent) OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment is required for this university program. The second language requirement may be taken after transfer to avoid exceeding your program's maximum transferable credits (typically 64).
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.