Legal and Social Studies

Program Goals Statement

This program provides students an opportunity to explore the Social Sciences and Legal Studies programs available at the College.  These programs prepare students for positions in the criminal justice and social services system or for transfer into a baccalaureate, degree-granting institution in their chosen social sciences or legal discipline.  Developing and practicing helping relationships are emphasized in these programs.  It can also prepare current practitioners for career advancement.

Program Information

• Students should take any required developmental courses in their first semester.

• The skills developed provide excellent job mobility in some of the fastest growing professions in America.  Students can work in general positions or specialize in a wide variety of fields within business, professional, and government entities.  

• The faculty represent all of the major fields of the criminal justice, legal and social services systems, and students benefit from their years of formal study and professional experience. 

• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit is available to students for some program and general education courses with approval by the appropriate Department Chairperson.

• Students should consider completing certificates that contain required program courses that will complement their degree. 

After Bristol

• Students are encouraged to select a specific social and legal studies program, including Criminal Justice, CIS-Computer Forensics, Human Services, Deaf Studies-Human Services, OFC-Legal Office Concentration, Paralegal or a Certificate(s) in these disciplines.

• Graduates from these programs can:

a. Work in law enforcement agencies, the private commercial sector, and law firms as state and local police, correctional and probation officers and computer forensics technicians. 

b. Be employed in a variety of settings, including law firms, corporate law departments, financial institutions, government agencies, or courts.

c. Transfer to Bachelors programs in Social Work, Sociology, or Psychology.

• If you plan to transfer to a four-year institution, visit the Transfer Affairs website.

Degree Requirements

Elective Courses

Course #
Title
Credits
Scientific Reasoning and Discovery Elective  +
3 - 4
PLS 105 or Information Literacy Elective  +
0 - 3
Sub-Total Credits
9-13

Program Electives

Course #
Title
Credits
Legal and Social Studies Program Electives  +
28 - 33
Sub-Total Credits
28-33
Total credits:
60

Course Sequencing

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12-13
Item #
Title
Credits
Information Literacy Elective  +
0 - 3
Scientific Reasoning and Discovery Elective  +
3 - 4
Sub-Total Credits
15-19
Item #
Title
Credits
PLS 105 or Information Literacy Elective  +
0 - 3
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
12-15
Item #
Title
Credits
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Program Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
15

Overview

Academic Area

Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

Degree Offered

Associate in Science in General Studies (Legal and Social Studies)

Program

Program Code

GS_GSLS

Program Contact

Colleen Avedikian
Program Coordinator
Colleen.Avedikian@BristolCC.edu

Patricia Sherblom
Dean of Behavioral & Social Sciences and Education
Patricia.Sherblom@BristolCC.edu

Campus

CIP Code

24.0102