Social & Behavioral Sciences

Interest Area

Students who complete an area of study in Social and Behavioral Sciences will learn to think critically about the relationships among people, their actions, their environments, and their societies. They will better understand how power structures, places, and cultural differences affect these relationships. They will improve their research, data analysis, communication, and academic writing skills, and learn how to creatively apply these skills to solve problems and engage with civic institutions and policies in our ever-changing world. Social and Behavioral Sciences graduates go on to careers in government, business, and the non-profit sector.

Programs of Study

Fast Track Career Path

Administration of Justice

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS
COA

Anthropology

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Economics

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Geography

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Global Studies

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Human Development

CSU Transfer
AS
COA
COP

Political Science

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Psychology

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Sociology

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Sustainability and Resource Management

Explore Careers

Psychiatric Aides

Median Salary

$33,352

Job Growth

+20%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
63%

Certificate
3%

Some College
16%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
12%

Master's Degree
2%

View Career

Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.

New workers start around $27,698. Normal pay is $33,352 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $43,690.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
63%

Certificate
3%

Some College
16%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
12%

Master's Degree
2%

Core Tasks

Record and maintain patient information, such as vital signs, eating habits, behavior, progress notes, treatments, or discharge plans.
Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.
Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.
Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.
Provide mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
Clean and disinfect rooms and furnishings to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
Maintain patients' restrictions to assigned areas.
Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routine.
Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.
Perform nursing duties, such as administering medications, measuring vital signs, collecting specimens, or drawing blood samples.
Accompany patients to and from wards for medical or dental treatments, shopping trips, or religious or recreational events.
Participate in recreational activities with patients, including card games, sports, or television viewing.

Median Salary

$33,352

Job Growth

+20%

Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Median Salary

$167,315

Job Growth

+12%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
37%

Certificate
7%

Some College
19%

Associate's Degree
19%

Bachelor's Degree
15%

Master's Degree
3%

View Career

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

New workers start around $118,685. Normal pay is $167,315 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $310,332.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
37%

Certificate
7%

Some College
19%

Associate's Degree
19%

Bachelor's Degree
15%

Master's Degree
3%

Core Tasks

Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
Train staff in proper police work procedures.
Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
Cooperate with court personnel and officials from other law enforcement agencies and testify in court, as necessary.
Conduct raids and order detention of witnesses and suspects for questioning.
Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
Inspect facilities, supplies, vehicles, and equipment to ensure conformance to standards.
Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures.
Meet with civic, educational, and community groups to develop community programs and events, and to discuss law enforcement subjects.
Prepare news releases and respond to police correspondence.
Requisition and issue equipment and supplies.

Median Salary

$167,315

Job Growth

+12%

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median Salary

$131,310

Job Growth

+3%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
38%

Certificate
12%

Some College
18%

Associate's Degree
19%

Bachelor's Degree
13%

View Career

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

New workers start around $81,619. Normal pay is $131,310 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $167,752.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
38%

Certificate
12%

Some College
18%

Associate's Degree
19%

Bachelor's Degree
13%

Core Tasks

Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
Notify command of situation and request assistance.
Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.
Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.
Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.

Median Salary

$131,310

Job Growth

+3%

Police Identification and Records Officers

Median Salary

$131,310

Job Growth

+3%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
13%

Certificate
8%

Some College
3%

Associate's Degree
28%

Bachelor's Degree
26%

Master's Degree
22%

View Career

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

New workers start around $81,619. Normal pay is $131,310 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $167,752.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
13%

Certificate
8%

Some College
3%

Associate's Degree
28%

Bachelor's Degree
26%

Master's Degree
22%

Core Tasks

Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
Package, store and retrieve evidence.
Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
Testify in court and present evidence.
Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.

Median Salary

$131,310

Job Growth

+3%

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median Salary

$115,988

Job Growth

+5%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
35%

Certificate
27%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
24%

Bachelor's Degree
9%

View Career

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

New workers start around $72,620. Normal pay is $115,988 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $145,188.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
35%

Certificate
27%

Some College
5%

Associate's Degree
24%

Bachelor's Degree
9%

Core Tasks

Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
Relay complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatchers.
Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
Photograph or draw diagrams of crime or accident scenes and interview principals and eyewitnesses.
Evaluate complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
Execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody.
Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
Direct traffic flow and reroute traffic in case of emergencies.
Notify patrol units to take violators into custody or to provide needed assistance or medical aid.
Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.
Question individuals entering secured areas to determine their business, directing and rerouting individuals as necessary.
Patrol and guard courthouses, grand jury rooms, or assigned areas to provide security, enforce laws, maintain order, and arrest violators.
Transport or escort prisoners and defendants en route to courtrooms, prisons or jails, attorneys' offices, or medical facilities.
Inform citizens of community services and recommend options to facilitate longer-term problem resolution.
Locate and confiscate real or personal property, as directed by court order.
Provide road information to assist motorists.

Median Salary

$115,988

Job Growth

+5%

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

Median Salary

$70,635

Job Growth

+11%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
75%

Certificate
6%

Some College
9%

Associate's Degree
10%

View Career

Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

New workers start around $46,296. Normal pay is $70,635 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $90,080.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
75%

Certificate
6%

Some College
9%

Associate's Degree
10%

Core Tasks

Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files.
Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.

Median Salary

$70,635

Job Growth

+11%

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About IVC

Become an IVC Student

Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

Social & Behavioral Sciences

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Administration of Justice

Anthropology

Economics

Geography

Global Studies

Human Development

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Sustainability and Resource Management

Explore Careers

Psychiatric Aides

Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Police Identification and Records Officers

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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