Program Details

Associate of Science - Social Sciences

Associate of Science

Tidewater Community College

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Social Sciences is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree in one of the social or behavioral sciences. Social Sciences include academic disciplines such as anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, sociology, and psychology. The A.S. in Social Sciences may also prepare students for some teacher certification programs.

Courses required for the Social Sciences degree are available on all four campuses.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Transfer Degree

Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Tidewater Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights	TCC had 357 graduates in 2020-21, 431 graduates in 2019-20, 477 graduates in 2018-19, 645 graduates in 2017-18, and 777 graduates in 2016-17 in the AS program in Social Sciences.

Program Credit Requirements

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning	TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree. For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Tidewater Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

3364

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student.
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer. https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs.

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Science Degree Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate in Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Art	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	General Studies, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Liberal Arts, A.A.	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts	Associate	Associate of Arts	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science Degree in General Studies	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Political Science Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community College	AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Psychology/Social Work Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate in Science in Psychology	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Education, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Social Sciences: Deaf Studies Specialization, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Science/Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Science/Math Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Social Science/Education	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person
Mountain Gateway Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Social Science	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
11-9199.11	Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers	Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.	Management Occupations
11-9199.02	Compliance Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.	Management Occupations
11-9199.08	Loss Prevention Managers	Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.00	Managers, All Other	All managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
11-9199.01	Regulatory Affairs Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.	Management Occupations
11-9199.10	Wind Energy Development Managers	Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.	Management Occupations
11-9199.09	Wind Energy Operations Managers	Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.	Management Occupations
25-2031.00	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3093.00	Historians	Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1125.00	History Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-4061.00	Social Science Research Assistants	Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3091.00	Anthropologists and Archeologists	Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1061.00	Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-1065.00	Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3094.00	Political Scientists	Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3041.00	Sociologists	Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1067.00	Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3092.00	Geographers	Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1064.00	Geography Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
17-3031.00	Surveying and Mapping Technicians	Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.	Architecture and Engineering Occupations
39-7011.00	Tour Guides and Escorts	Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.	Personal Care and Service Occupations
25-1069.00	Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3099.00	Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3099.01	Transportation Planners	Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1063.00	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-3011.00	Economists	Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-3011.01	Environmental Economists	Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
13-1161.00	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1161.01	Search Marketing Strategists	Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
19-3022.00	Survey Researchers	Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 60 credits remaining to be completed

Residence State

Delivery Mode

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Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Associate of Science - Social Sciences at Tidewater Community College These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$165	Per Credit	$9,900	$0	$9,900	Tuition is subject to change by action of the State Board for Community Colleges. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Fees
Institutional Fee	$7	Per Credit	$420	0	$420	Used to fund expenses related to campus parking including, but no limited to parking improvements, signage, parking lot repairs, lot security, and overall improvements. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Student Activity Fee	$3	Per Credit	$180	0	$180	Used to fund various student activities and programs including, but not limited to honor societies, leadership training, community and cultural events, clubs, athletics, student publications, and learning assistance. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Auxiliary Capital Fee	$20	Per Credit	$1,200	0	$1,200	Used to construct, maintain, and operate facilities for which state General Fund dollars are not permitted. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.

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