The sociology major consists of 12 sociology courses, from which six are specifically required. The department also offers an active internship program and encourages all majors to enroll in at least one internship course while in good academic standing at the University. Students might take up to six internship sociology credits.

What do sociologists do?

Course Requirements

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 202 Research Methods
• SOC 301 Statistical Analysis for Social Science (fulfills foundations of math requirement for sociology/criminology majors ONLY)
• SOC 352 Sociological Theory
• SOC 452 Senior Seminar
• SOC 496 Thesis Guidance OR SOC 498 Comprehensive Exam (please see below)

All majors must complete the above core required curriculum and an additional six elective courses offered by the Department of Sociology* with a grade of "C-" or better. To fulfill the requirements for one of the tracks, students must take at least three courses within the track and pass these courses with a grade of "C-" or better. Majors who complete the course requirements for one or more track will be awarded a certificate of completion upon graduation. We expect all majors to complete our core – SOC 101, SOC 202, SOC 301, and SOC 352 – before the senior year.

Sociology majors are required to pass a senior comprehensive examination or must complete a senior thesis. The senior thesis is under the supervision of one faculty advisor selected by the student pursuing the thesis option.  Any student with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher may opt to complete the senior comprehensive or the thesis as part of her/his capstone experience. Students wishing to write a thesis in lieu of taking comprehensive exams must have identified a topic and a faculty sponsor by the end of their junior year, e.g., 2 semesters before graduating.

 

*Courses outside the department may count as a sociology elective. Please consult your academic advisor.