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

Legislators

Median Salary

$51,924

Job Growth

+8%

Education

View Career

Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.

New workers start around $36,182. Normal pay is $51,924 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $134,490.

Education

Core Tasks

Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.
Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.
Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.
Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.
Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.
Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.
Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.
Make decisions that balance the perspectives of private citizens, public officials, and party leaders.
Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.
Prepare drafts of amendments, government policies, laws, rules, regulations, budgets, programs and procedures.
Read and review concerns of constituents or the general public and determine if governmental action is necessary.
Represent their parties in negotiations with political executives or members of other parties, and when speaking with the media.
Review bills in committee, and make recommendations about their future.
Seek federal funding for local projects and programs.
Serve on commissions, investigative panels, study groups, and committees in order to examine specialized areas and recommend action.
Vote on motions, amendments, and decisions on whether or not to report a bill out from committee to the assembly floor.
Write, prepare, and deliver statements for the Congressional Record.
Alert constituents of government actions and programs by way of newsletters, personal appearances at town meetings, phone calls, and individual meetings.
Attend receptions, dinners, and conferences to meet people, exchange views and information, and develop working relationships.
Conduct "head counts" to help predict the outcome of upcoming votes.
Determine campaign strategies for media advertising, positions on issues, and public appearances.
Encourage and support party candidates for political office.
Establish personal offices in local districts or states, and manage office staff.
Evaluate the structure, efficiency, activities, and performance of government agencies.
Organize and maintain campaign organizations and fundraisers, in order to raise money for election or re-election.
Oversee expense allowances, ensuring that accounts are balanced at the end of each fiscal year.
Promote the industries and products of their electoral districts.
Represent their government at local, national, and international meetings and conferences.
Speak to students to encourage and support the development of future political leaders.

Median Salary

$51,924

Job Growth

+8%

Security Managers

Median Salary

$108,179

Job Growth

Education

Certificate
5%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
60%

Master's Degree
20%

View Career

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

New workers start around $59,300. Normal pay is $108,179 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $170,816.

Education

Certificate
5%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
60%

Master's Degree
20%

Core Tasks

Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
Assess risks to mitigate potential consequences of incidents and develop a plan to respond to incidents.
Attend meetings, professional seminars, or conferences to keep abreast of changes in executive legislative directives or new technologies impacting security operations.
Communicate security status, updates, and actual or potential problems, using established protocols.
Conduct physical examinations of property to ensure compliance with security policies and regulations.
Conduct threat or vulnerability analyses to determine probable frequency, criticality, consequence, or severity of natural or man-made disasters or criminal activity on the organization's profitability or delivery of products or services.
Coordinate security operations or activities with public law enforcement, fire and other agencies.
Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
Develop budgets for security operations.
Develop or manage investigation programs, including collection and preservation of video and notes of surveillance processes or investigative interviews.
Develop, arrange for, perform, or assess executive protection activities to reduce security risks.
Develop, conduct, support, or assist in governmental reviews, internal corporate evaluations, or assessments of the overall effectiveness of facility and personnel security processes.
Develop, implement, manage, or evaluate policies and methods to protect personnel against harassment, threats, or violence.
Develop, recommend, or manage security procedures for operations or processes, such as security call centers, access control, and reporting tools.
Direct or participate in emergency management and contingency planning.
Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.
Monitor and ensure a sound, ethical environment.
Monitor security policies, programs or procedures to ensure compliance with internal security policies, or applicable government security requirements, policies, and directives.
Plan security for special and high-risk events.
Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on company property.
Prepare reports or make presentations on internal investigations, losses, or violations of regulations, policies and procedures.
Purchase security-related supplies, equipment, or technology.
Respond to medical emergencies, bomb threats, fire alarms, or intrusion alarms, following emergency response procedures.
Review financial reports to ensure efficiency and quality of security operations.
Supervise or provide leadership to subordinate security professionals, performing activities such as hiring, investigating applicants' backgrounds, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, or disciplining.
Support efforts to reduce substance abuse or other illegal activities in the workplace.
Train subordinate security professionals or other organization members in security rules and procedures.
Write or review security-related documents, such as incident reports, proposals, and tactical or strategic initiatives.

Median Salary

$108,179

Job Growth

Supply Chain Managers

Median Salary

$96,164

Job Growth

-6%

Education

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
76%

Master's Degree
19%

View Career

Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.

New workers start around $55,301. Normal pay is $96,164 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $168,904.

Education

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
76%

Master's Degree
19%

Core Tasks

Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.
Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.
Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.
Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.
Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.
Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.
Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.
Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.
Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.
Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.
Monitor forecasts and quotas to identify changes and predict effects on supply chain activities.
Participate in the coordination of engineering changes, product line extensions, or new product launches to ensure orderly and timely transitions in material or production flow.
Design or implement plant warehousing strategies for production materials or finished products.
Design, implement, or oversee product take back or reverse logistics programs to ensure products are recycled, reused, or responsibly disposed.
Identify or qualify new suppliers in collaboration with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, or quality assurance.
Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.
Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.
Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.
Evaluate and select information or other technology solutions to improve tracking and reporting of materials or products distribution, storage, or inventory.
Identify opportunities to reuse or recycle materials to minimize consumption of new materials, minimize waste, or to convert wastes to by-products.
Design or implement supply chains that support environmental policies.
Review or update supply chain practices in accordance with new or changing environmental policies, standards, regulations, or laws.

Median Salary

$96,164

Job Growth

-6%

Emergency Management Directors

Median Salary

$109,491

Job Growth

+6%

Education

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
16%

Bachelor's Degree
56%

Master's Degree
20%

View Career

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

New workers start around $65,957. Normal pay is $109,491 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $180,419.

Education

Some College
8%

Associate's Degree
16%

Bachelor's Degree
56%

Master's Degree
20%

Core Tasks

Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, as well as those that could affect response efforts and details of plan implementation.
Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
Apply for federal funding for emergency-management-related needs and administer and report on the progress of such grants.
Design and administer emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach people how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.
Inspect facilities and equipment, such as emergency management centers and communications equipment, to determine their operational and functional capabilities in emergency situations.
Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops related to emergency management to learn new information and to develop working relationships with other emergency management specialists.
Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
Propose alteration of emergency response procedures based on regulatory changes, technological changes, or knowledge gained from outcomes of previous emergency situations.
Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Keep informed of federal, state, and local regulations affecting emergency plans and ensure that plans adhere to these regulations.
Review emergency plans of individual organizations, such as medical facilities, to ensure their adequacy.
Develop instructional materials for the public and make presentations to citizens' groups to provide information on emergency plans and their implementation processes.
Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
Train local groups in the preparation of long-term plans that are compatible with federal and state plans.
Provide communities with assistance in applying for federal funding for emergency management facilities, radiological instrumentation, and other related items.
Conduct surveys to determine the types of emergency-related needs to be addressed in disaster planning or provide technical support to others conducting such surveys.
Study emergency plans used elsewhere to gather information for plan development.
Develop and implement training procedures and strategies for radiological protection, detection, and decontamination.

Median Salary

$109,491

Job Growth

+6%

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Median Salary

$89,763

Job Growth

+9%

Education

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
75%

Master's Degree
21%

View Career

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

New workers start around $41,995. Normal pay is $89,763 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $222,412.

Education

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
75%

Master's Degree
21%

Core Tasks

Provide responses to regulatory agencies regarding product information or issues.
Direct the preparation and submission of regulatory agency applications, reports, or correspondence.
Review all regulatory agency submission materials to ensure timeliness, accuracy, comprehensiveness, or compliance with regulatory standards.
Develop regulatory strategies and implementation plans for the preparation and submission of new products.
Formulate or implement regulatory affairs policies and procedures to ensure that regulatory compliance is maintained or enhanced.
Manage activities such as audits, regulatory agency inspections, or product recalls.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant regulations, including proposed and final rules.
Review materials such as marketing literature or user manuals to ensure that regulatory agency requirements are met.
Communicate regulatory information to multiple departments and ensure that information is interpreted correctly.
Provide regulatory guidance to departments or development project teams regarding design, development, evaluation, or marketing of products.
Direct documentation efforts to ensure compliance with domestic and international regulations and standards.
Monitor emerging trends regarding industry regulations to determine potential impacts on organizational processes.
Investigate product complaints and prepare documentation and submissions to appropriate regulatory agencies as necessary.
Represent organizations before domestic or international regulatory agencies on major policy matters or decisions regarding company products.
Train staff in regulatory policies or procedures.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures or local working practices.
Implement or monitor complaint processing systems to ensure effective and timely resolution of all complaint investigations.
Participate in the development or implementation of clinical trial protocols.
Contribute to the development or implementation of business unit strategic and operating plans.
Establish procedures or systems for publishing document submissions in hardcopy or electronic formats.
Develop relationships with state or federal environmental regulatory agencies to learn about and analyze the potential impacts of proposed environmental policy regulations.
Coordinate internal discoveries and depositions with legal department staff.
Establish regulatory priorities or budgets and allocate resources and workloads.
Evaluate new software publishing systems and confer with regulatory agencies concerning news or updates on electronic publishing of submissions.
Monitor regulatory affairs activities to ensure their alignment with corporate sustainability or green initiatives.

Median Salary

$89,763

Job Growth

+9%

Compliance Managers

Median Salary

$89,763

Job Growth

+9%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
9%

Certificate
7%

Some College
1%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
63%

Master's Degree
14%

View Career

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

New workers start around $41,995. Normal pay is $89,763 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $222,412.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
9%

Certificate
7%

Some College
1%

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
63%

Master's Degree
14%

Core Tasks

Report violations of compliance or regulatory standards to duly authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate or required.
Identify compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation.
Discuss emerging compliance issues to ensure that management and employees are informed about compliance reporting systems, policies, and practices.
File appropriate compliance reports with regulatory agencies.
Maintain documentation of compliance activities, such as complaints received or investigation outcomes.
Consult with corporate attorneys as necessary to address difficult legal compliance issues.
Provide employee training on compliance related topics, policies, or procedures.
Conduct or direct the internal investigation of compliance issues.
Serve as a confidential point of contact for employees to communicate with management, seek clarification on issues or dilemmas, or report irregularities.
Verify that all regulatory policies and procedures have been documented, implemented, and communicated.
Prepare management reports regarding compliance operations and progress.
Disseminate written policies and procedures related to compliance activities.
Conduct periodic internal reviews or audits to ensure that compliance procedures are followed.
Keep informed regarding pending industry changes, trends, or best practices.
Advise internal management or business partners on the implementation or operation of compliance programs.
Monitor compliance systems to ensure their effectiveness.
Direct the development or implementation of policies and procedures related to compliance throughout an organization.
Design or implement improvements in communication, monitoring, or enforcement of compliance standards.
Provide assistance to internal or external auditors in compliance reviews.
Collaborate with human resources departments to ensure the implementation of consistent disciplinary action strategies in cases of compliance standard violations.

Median Salary

$89,763

Job Growth

+9%

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Find Your Path

Opportunities

Communities

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

Legislators

Security Managers

Supply Chain Managers

Emergency Management Directors

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Compliance Managers

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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