ADT in Law, Public Policy, and Society

This degree emphasizes the development of communication skills, introduces students to the legal field and prepares students for further studies in a variety of majors.   Students who opt to pursue this course of study are encouraged to engage in further exploration of one or more specific majors as they select electives for degree completion at the transfer institution.

A.A.-Transfer Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Law, Public Policy, and Society A.A.-Transfer Degree will:

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the field of law and the various classifications of the law, including being able to distinguish among the various parts of a contract.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and explain the ideas and institutions that make up the American political system, including the legal field, to describe the evolution of civil liberties and rights in the United States and apply this knowledge to current events and legal issues, and to recognize the role of public opinion, interest groups, ethics and political parties regarding the electoral process, law, and public policy in society.
  3. Students will develop communication skills and demonstrate the ability to effectively write and speak to persuade a diversity of audiences. The development of communication skills will also include demonstration of the ability to analyze, criticize, and advocate for ideas, to communicate for a variety of purposes, to read and comprehend a diversity of texts, and to think critically. Additionally, students will demonstrate the ability to develop awareness of society and its historical roots, as well as to appreciate diversity and to be sensitive to the impact of race, sex, and class on the American experience. Through this program, students will demonstrate the ability to organize information, to engage in argumentation to support a position, to evaluate and cite sources, to explain the historical development of American institutions in law and society, to demonstrate facility with numbers, and to conduct research.

Students receiving this transfer degree must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
    1. The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
    2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
  3. Meet the 12-unit residency requirement. 

ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" (or "P") or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. 

Required courses:
Select one (1) course from each of the following areas: (29-30 units)
Understanding the Law
Introduction to the Administration of Justice3
Concepts of Criminal Law3
Criminal Court Process3
Business Law and the Legal Environment I3
Ethics
Philosophy - Ethics3
Oral Communications
Introduction to Public Speaking3
Argumentation and Debate3
Written Communication
Academic Reading and Writing4
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking and Writing4
Quantitative Reasoning
Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Introduction to Statistics 14
US History
United States History to 18773
United States History to 1877 - Honors
United States History since 18653
United States History since 1865 - Honors
Intro to American Government
American Government and Politics3
American Government and Politics - Honors3
Economics
Principles of Microeconomics3
Select one (1) course from one (1) of the areas listed below: (3 units)
Administration of Justice/Criminal Justice/Criminology
Introduction to the Administration of Justice3
Concepts of Criminal Law3
Legal Aspects of Evidence3
Juvenile Procedures3
Criminal Court Process3
Community and the Justice System3
Introduction to Corrections3
Economics
Principles of Macroeconomics3
Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors
Political Science
Political Theory3
International Relations3
Public Policy
Public Relations3
Introduction to Global Studies3
Diversity
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
Race and Ethnicity 3
Introduction to Gender3
Intercultural Communication3
College Success
Strategies for College Success3
Total Units32-33
1

STAT C1000 is degree applicable with or without STAT 1000S. If taken with STAT 1000S, only the units for STAT C1000 will be counted towards the degree.

2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.

*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Term 1Units
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
or Academic Reading and Writing
or Academic Reading and Writing - Honors
4
STAT C1000
Introduction to Statistics
or Introduction to Statistics - Honors
or Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
4
AJ 101
Introduction to the Administration of Justice
or Business Law and the Legal Environment I
3
COUN 160 Strategies for College Success 3
HIST C1001
United States History to 1877
or United States History to 1877 - Honors
or United States History since 1865
or United States History since 1865 - Honors
3
 Units17
Spring Term 1
AJ 102
Concepts of Criminal Law
or Legal Aspects of Evidence
or Juvenile Procedures
or Criminal Court Process
or Community and the Justice System
or Introduction to Corrections
3
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
or Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors
or Argumentation and Debate
3
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
or Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors
4
PHIL 108
Philosophy - Ethics
or Philosophy - Ethics - Honors
3
POLS C1000
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
 Units16
Second Year
Fall Term 2
ECON C2001 Principles of Microeconomics 3
POLI 108
Political Theory
or International Relations
3
Cal-GETC Area 3A: Arts 3
Cal-GETC Area 5B: Biological Science with Lab 4
 Units13
Spring Term 2
ANTH 210
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors
or Race and Ethnicity
or Introduction to Gender
or Intercultural Communication
3
COMM 104
Public Relations
or Introduction to Global Studies
3
ECON C2002
Principles of Macroeconomics
or Principles of Macroeconomics - Honors
3
Cal-GETC Area 5A: Physical Science without Lab 3
Cal-GETC Area 6: Ethnic Studies 3
 Units15
 Total Units61

Please make an appointment with a counselor to select elective courses and create a Student Educational Plan. Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs) are designed for transfer to the California State University (CSU) system. Additional coursework may be needed for students planning to transfer to the University of California (UC), independent or private institutions, or out-of-state colleges or universities.

Career Opportunities

There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.

To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.