Sociology Program

Department of Social Sciences

Sociology Program

Sociology

Sociology is the study of group and collective life.  As one of the social sciences, it uses a variety of perspectives to study urban and rural social life, family patterns and relationships, social change, inter-group relations, social class, environment, technology and communications, health care and illness, gerontology, social movements, community responses to disasters, and pressing contemporary social issues. (Modified from American Sociological Association, 2005.)

Sociology Major

The Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) with a major in Sociology and the Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) with a major in Sociology provide students with a strong liberal arts preparation for both entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds and for those who wish to pursue graduate work. Employers and graduate programs look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.

When we ask sociology majors who are already employed outside academic settings to reflect on their undergraduate education, they value most highly their undergraduate courses in social research methods, statistics, and computer skills. These courses help make sociology undergraduates marketable, especially in today's highly technical and data-oriented work environment. In addition, sociology majors develop analytical skills and the ability to understand issues within a "macro" or social structural perspective. Learning the process of critical thinking and how to bring evidence to bear in support of an argument are extremely important skills in a fast-changing job market.

Consequently, as a sociology major, you have a competitive advantage in today's information society. The solid base you receive in understanding social change--as well as in research design, data analysis, statistics, theory, and sociological concepts--enables you to compete for support positions (such as program, administrative, or research assistant) in research, policy analysis, program evaluation, and countless other social science endeavors.

Because of the breadth and utility of the discipline, the undergraduate major in sociology is divided into two options: a Bachelor of Arts degree, which is designed for those who intend to pursue careers in academic or research settings and/or pursue additional study at the graduate level; and a Bachelor of Science degree, which is designed for those who intend to pursue careers directly after the completion of their undergraduate degrees. Both major options are organized to reflect the rationale and recommendations of the American Sociological Association and require the completion of a minimum of 38 semester hours in sociology. Majors in sociology must complete 45 upper-division credit hours to graduate and must take at least one minor or second major with a minimum of 16 upper-division semester credit hours. Suggested minors and/or second majors include: history, geography, psychology, multicultural studies, international studies, or women’s studies. Majors may also choose to pursue a recognized emphasis in one of the following two specializations: 1) Criminology or 2) Diversity Studies.

[For more information, please use the link below to access the "Program Description and Course Catalog."]

Sociology Minor

A minor in sociology is highly complementary to many different degree kprograms.  Marketing, biology, family andconsumer sciences, business, geography, modern languages, international studies, and psychology are only a few of those that would benefit froma Sociology minor.