Psychology focuses on the study of behavior of humans and other animals. It involves both pure and practical application of science to matters of everyday life.
The Psychology degree is designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to four-year programs that prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs. Psychologists with graduate degrees and professional certificates have a broad range of employment opportunities including, but not limited to, clinical practice, research, and teaching. Clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of clients. Research psychologists work in a range of fields associated with the study of human behavior, including biomedical, sports psychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge versus myth and conjecture within the field of psychology.
✔ compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in psychology.
✔ define basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express it clearly when writing or speaking about psychology.
✔ evaluate psychological data using the scientific method, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these to personal, community, and scientific problems.
✔ employ psychological principles that lay the foundation for life-long personal growth and development of interpersonal and social skills.
✔ demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using principles of equity, justice, and inclusion.

The Associate in Arts degree in Psychology for Transfer provides a clearly articulated curricular track for students who wish to transfer to a CSU campus, while also serving the diverse needs of students interested in the breadth and depth of the field of psychology. Additionally, this degree exposes students to the core principles and practices of the field in order to build a foundation for their future personal, academic, or vocational paths.
The degree was designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to four-year programs that prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs, as well as a variety of careers such as nursing, sales and marketing, teaching, and law enforcement. Psychologists with graduate degrees and professional certificates have a broad range of employment opportunities including, but not limited to, clinical practice, research, and teaching. Clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of clients. Research psychologists work in a range of fields associated with the study of human behavior, including biomedical, sports psychology, and cognitive neuroscience.
The Associate in Arts degree in Psychology for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer and many other 4-year universities. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. The degree was designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to four-year programs. From there, students are prepared for a variety of careers such as case management, sales and marketing, health care facility administration, teaching, and law enforcement. The degree also prepares students to continue their academic studies in post-graduate programs. Psychologists with graduate degrees and professional certificates also have a broad range of employment opportunities including, but not limited to, licensed psychologists, industrial/organizational psychologists, consumer psychologists, and research psychologists.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge versus pseudoscience within the field of psychology.
✔ compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in psychology.
✔ define and apply basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express it clearly when writing or speaking about psychology.
✔ evaluate psychological data, use the scientific method, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these to personal, community, and scientific problems.
✔ employ and integrate psychological principles that lay the foundation for life-long personal growth and development of interpersonal and social skills.
✔ demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using principles of equity, justice, and inclusion.

This degree provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of political science. It stresses the systematic study of politics, political institutions and governmental processes, state and local government, public policy, foreign policy, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory.
This degree is designed to facilitate successful transfer to four-year institutions. Career opportunities in political science include, but are not limited to, advocate/organizer, campaign worker, diplomat, educator/teacher, events planner, foreign affairs specialist, lawyer, legislative aide (state and federal), lobbyist, political consultant, and public relations specialist.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ describe the fundamentals of political science and governance.
✔ compare and contrast contemporary comparative systems and governance.
✔ evaluate the relationship between the governing process and public policy.
✔ examine how citizen and interest group participation influence political systems.
✔ analyze the role of culture and its influence on politics.
✔ assess how the design of political institutions and processes affect policy and stability.
✔ analyze politics and diplomacy in the international system.
✔ apply basic research methods to political science.
✔ analyze political and public policy making processes, and relate these to current issues and problems, for evaluating political events and their role in the political system.
✔ compare and contrast various theories of justice and the just state.
✔ evaluate various theories of the purpose of government and apply to a critical analysis of current political events.

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T) program provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to the California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Political Science at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.
Career opportunities related to the study of political science include, but are not limited to, advocate/organizer, campaign worker, diplomat, educator/teacher, events planner, foreign affairs specialist, lawyer, legislative aide (state and federal), lobbyist, political consultant, and public relations specialist.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ describe the fundamentals of political science and governance.
✔ compare and contrast contemporary comparative systems and governance.
✔ evaluate the relationship between the governing process and public policy.
✔ examine how citizen and interest group participation influence political systems.
✔ analyze the role of culture and its influence on politics.
✔ assess how the design of political institutions and processes affect policy and stability.
✔ analyze politics and diplomacy in the international system.
✔ apply basic research methods to political science.
✔ analyze political and public policy making processes, and relate these to current issues and problems, for evaluating political events and their role in the political system.
✔ compare and contrast various theories of justice and the just state.
✔ evaluate various theories of the purpose of government and apply to a critical analysis of current political events.

This degree provides a broad study in the fields of physical science and mathematics. It prepares for transfer to a four-year program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ recognize and correctly use the terminology of math, statistics, and/or science.
✔ analyze and interpret data, charts, and graphs using quantitative and qualitative methods.
✔ recognize and construct valid arguments using deductive and inductive reasoning.
✔ evaluate new and accepted ideas about the natural universe using testable methodology.

This program provides a broad study in the fields of biological and physical sciences in preparation for transfer to a four-year program and continuation of studies in upper division science courses.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ evaluate new and accepted ideas about the natural universe using scientific methods.
✔ analyze a wide variety of natural phenomena using basic definitions and fundamental theories of biological or physical sciences.
✔ apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to interpret and analyze pertinent data.
✔ outline the basic concepts and fundamental theories of a natural science.
✔ articulate orally and/or in writing the importance of continuous examination and modification of accepted ideas as a fundamental element in the progress of science.
✔ discuss ethical components of scientific decision making and apply personal and social values within the process of decision making in scientific endeavors.

The Associate in Arts degree in Philosophy for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. The Associate in Arts degree in Philosophy for Transfer (AA-T) may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a C or better in these courses) and (b) either the Inter-segmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education Breadth Requirements.
Because of continuing social and technological changes, today's graduates are more likely to change their jobs/careers than ever before. Job skills learned today for a specific career may be too specific to transfer to other jobs or simply become outdated. The technical skills and knowledge required by many fields are also changing, requiring constant updating to stay current. One advantage to studying philosophy is that it focuses on broader issues such as the nature of knowledge, values, the use of language, and the application of logic and critical reasoning: content that transfers across specific jobs/careers. The analytic skills developed in the study of philosophy are valuable in problem solving and effectively communicating ideas clearly and precisely. Finally, philosophy provides an excellent pre-law preparation, as philosophy majors generally score amongst the highest on the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ identify and express arguments found in philosophical and non-philosophical sources.
✔ analyze arguments from philosophical and non-philosophical sources into their constituent premises and conclusions.
✔ evaluate the cogency of arguments from philosophical and non-philosophical sources with respect to structure and content.
✔ critically discuss and evaluate important concepts and theories in ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
✔ develop and defend personal views concerning important philosophical issues.

Paramedicine is an allied health specialty whose practitioners respond to emergencies before a patient reaches a hospital, rendering basic and advanced medical treatment before and during transport to a medical facility. Classroom, clinical and field internship training prepares paramedics to assess and treat a wide variety of medical emergencies. The knowledge, skills and experience gained through the paramedic program allows students to meet the responsibilities outlined in the Department of Transportation's Emergency Medical Services Education Standards.
The ARC Paramedic program is designed to prepare the student for licensure as a paramedic, working for a fire department, rescue squad, private provider, industry, clinic or hospital.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ synthesize pre-arrival information and initial assessment findings to classify patient acuity.
✔ utilize support personnel and equipment to maximize scene and patient management.
✔ diagnose patient conditions using auditory, tactile and visual senses.
✔ correlate signs and symptoms of common diseases to emergency patients and their primary complaint.
✔ formulate competent treatment plans for medical or trauma patients.
✔ report assessment findings, diagnosis, and treatment plans to appropriate health professionals.
✔ develop and implement strategies to strengthen personal empathy and sympathy for prehospital patients.
✔ apply ethical practices during all phases of an emergency medical response.
✔ demonstrate advanced life support skills competency as set by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
✔ assess scene and personal safety before, during, and after each emergency response.
✔ compose accurate, timely and specific patient care reports in accordance with local, regional, and state documentation standards.

This program provides a broad study in the fields of biological and physical sciences in preparation for transfer to a four-year program and continuation of studies in upper division science courses.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ evaluate new and accepted ideas about the natural universe using scientific methods.
✔ analyze a wide variety of natural phenomena using basic definitions and fundamental theories of biological or physical sciences.
✔ apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to interpret and analyze pertinent data.
✔ outline the basic concepts and fundamental theories of a natural science.
✔ articulate orally and/or in writing the importance of continuous examination and modification of accepted ideas as a fundamental element in the progress of science.
✔ discuss ethical components of scientific decision making and apply personal and social values within the process of decision making in scientific endeavors.

Environmental Conservation is an interdisciplinary program that advances the understanding of ecological systems and their interrelationships, including those with human society. Core study involves plant and animal ecology and natural history, field methods and study design, and conservation and management of ecosystems and natural resources. Students have the opportunity to choose among courses in the areas of conservation and sustainability; plant ecology, conservation, and management; and vertebrate ecology, conservation and management. This program covers a wide range of environmental studies, provides many unique opportunities for hands-on and real-world field experience, and prepares students for a variety of careers as well as transfer at the upper division level to academic programs involving environmental sciences.
An increasing number of sectors of the labor market in California, the U.S., and beyond, require knowledge and skills emphasizing conservation and management of plant and animal populations and their habitats, sustainable resource use, and an enhanced understanding of the environment. This program prepares students for entry-level work in a variety of industries and settings, including private firms, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Students receive not only rigorous instruction in the theory and application of environmental sciences, but also unique hands-on training.

Student Learning Outcomes
✔ apply scientific methodologies and critical analysis to environmental investigations.
✔ evaluate natural resource systems, including their past and present use and management, and future sustainability.
✔ analyze social, ethical, and biological implications of environmental management alternatives.
✔ identify ecological phenomena in one's everyday experiences and apply ecological principles to understand local, national, and global environmental issues.
✔ assess the relationships of plants and animals to their environment and to each other.
✔ measure, analyze, and monitor biological and physical components of the environment.
✔ evaluate basic land survey, water quality, soils, vegetation, and wildlife data.
✔ examine the significance of biodiversity conservation.