Sociology Transfer Major
Sociology provides a critical understanding about how the world works. If you enjoy studying cultural and social interactions, Iowa Lakes can start you on the path to a valuable and rewarding career! Some of the professions sociology majors choose include police officer, family support worker, probation officer, juvenile court counselor, substance abuse counselor, and more.
Earn your Associate of Arts degree in Sociology before transferring on to a regent university (University of Iowa, Iowa State or University of Northern Iowa) to complete your Bachelor of Science degree. Completion of the AA degree at Iowa Lakes will satisfy the required general education prerequisites at the regent of your choosing. Gain knowledge in introductory sociology courses such as Social Psychology, Social Problems, and Marriage and Family.
By earning this degree, you’ll have met the general course requirements for a specific major of a four-year institution and a transfer major recorded on your transcripts from Iowa Lakes. Requirements may vary among institutions so students should work with an advisor to become familiar with specific requirements of the institution which they plan to transfer.
To earn a Transfer Major Degree, a student must complete all required coursework of that specific major and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
A Sociology Transfer Major provides you with the opportunity to complete two years of your bachelor’s degree at Iowa Lakes. You have a goal … we have the plan. APPLY TODAY
Students who plan to complete their general AA or AS and have a TRANSFER OPTION should contact the college or university to which they plan to transfer to assure that that core courses they take will transfer into their planned major.
Faculty Contact
![]() | Rachel Higgins Assistant Professor, Social Science 712-362-7998 Ext: 7998 | rhiggins@iowalakes.educreate new email |

Program Details
Did You Know?
By obtaining an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
Communications:
- Students are able to communicate clearly, both written and oral using the correct medium.
- Students are able to support ideas with appropriate and adequate information.
Sciences:
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
- Apply scientific inquiry/scientific method to answer questions about the natural world.
Mathematics:
- Apply mathematical methods to solve real world problems.
- Evaluate the validity of mathematical solutions.
Social Sciences:
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in written and oral communication.
- Students will critique the diversity of human experience, individually and collectively.
Humanities:
- Form an aesthetic and/or ethical judgement of specific examples.
- Use the language of the discipline appropriately.
Computers:
- Integrate the technology necessary in the workplace environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge in utilizing software application tools.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Associate in Arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Curriculum
Term 1
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET,COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
POL 111 – American National Government
Review of basic fundamentals of government including federalism, the political process, the presidency, the congress and the judicial system.
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Term 2
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
MAT 157 – Statistics
This course provides a foundation of statistical concepts and procedures that can aid the student as both a consumer and producer of statistical information. The course emphasizes descriptive and inferential statistical methods, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing and linear regression. Students are also introduced to software as it applies to introductory statistical methods.
Prerequisites
appropriate placement score
SOC 110 – Intro to Sociology
A survey course applying basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods to examine society, culture, cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and cultural stability and change.
SOC 115 – Social Problems
Applies basic scientific sociological concepts and principles to the examination of contemporary social issues such as crime, poverty, violence, and inequality.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose either SPC 112 or SPC 122
Term 3
PSY 251 – Social Psychology
Explores social interaction from both the psychological and sociological perspectives. It is the study of how we think about, relate to, and interact with each other.
SOC 120 – Marriage and Family
The sociological study of the family and family-related issues in cultural, cross-cultural, historical, and social context.