Sociology B.A./B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Sociology is the systematic study of social relationships at many different levels. For example, sociologists analyze small groups, complex organizations such as bureaucracies or factories, race/ethnic relations, gender relations, communities, nations, and even global social formations. The processes and behaviors sociologists examine include social interaction among individuals, institutional change, social policy formation, criminal and deviant behavior (and responses to such behavior), population growth and distribution, and social change and development.

The sociology program offers concentrations in general sociology and in criminology. General sociology provides a desirable background, as either a sole or combined major, for further professional training in law, city planning, public administration, hospital administration, and medicine, as well as for advanced graduate work in sociology or other social sciences. It also prepares students for a wide variety of careers that involve problem-solving and gathering, organizing, and analyzing information (i.e., data). Such careers may involve jobs ranging from sales and management to community services and government work.

The criminology concentration prepares students for careers in the criminal justice system (including law enforcement, correctional institutions, court services) as well as advanced study in law or graduate work in sociology, criminology, or criminal justice.

Students who major in sociology should refer to the general requirements for the BA or BS degree earlier in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog. Sociology students who desire to teach in secondary schools should prepare for teacher licensure with a major in sociology (see the College of Education section of this catalog).

All sociology majors are required to complete 6 hours of required outside courses. Students majoring in general sociology must also take 16 hours of required core courses and 15 hours of electives, with 9 of these 15 hours at the 500 level or above. Criminology students must complete 25 hours of required core courses and 9 hours of electives from two categories of ancillary courses.

Bachelor’s degree requirements

Field experience/internship

During their senior year, qualified students* in the sociology/criminology program may participate in a professionally supervised internship in a criminal justice agency or other organization directly related to their career interests and aspirations. The aim of the supervised internship is to prepare beginning professionals for careers in a variety of settings related to their major. In special instances a junior in good academic standing may apply.

Credit hours ranging from 7 to 13 hours may be earned through the field experience option. Field experience hours may not substitute for core or elective requirements for the major.

*Qualifications include a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a letter of recommendation from a sociology faculty member.

General sociology major

Required outside courses (6 credit hours)

Three credit hours from among the following list:

CIS 101 - Introduction to Information Technology Credits: (1)
CIS 102 - Introduction to Spreadsheet Applications Credits: (1)
CIS 103 - Introduction to Database Applications Credits: (1)
CIS 104 - Introduction to Word Processing Applications Credits: (1)
(or demonstration of equivalent competencies)
STAT 325 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: (3)

Core courses (16 credit hours)

SOCIO 211 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: (3)
SOCIO 440 - Social Organization Credits: (3)
SOCIO 450 - Introduction to Social Interaction Credits: (3)
SOCIO 511 - Comparative Social Theories Credits: (3)
SOCIO 520 - Methods of Social Research I Credits: (4)

Note

With advisor’s permission, students may substitute SOCIO 546 for SOCIO 440.

SOCIO 440 - Social Organization Credits: (3)
or
SOCIO 546 - Bureaucracy in Modern Societies Credits: (3)

Electives

Fifteen hours of sociology electives are required, with at least 9 hours at the 500 level or above. SOCIO 567, 568, 569 may not be used to count toward these required elective hours.