The Sociology Program Major is designed to provide students with a broad base of skills which would allow them to pursue careers in journalism, politics and government, public relations, business, criminal justice, social work and public administration. Additionally, the Sociology Major program will also provide training for those students wishing to pursue graduate degrees in Sociology and other related disciplines. Today, the study of social relations is basic to every type of human endeavor. Government planning, human service work, economic development, personnel management, and the many other activities of our modern world require an understanding of the social system and how individuals fit into it. The program in Sociology prepares the student for further graduate study or for entrance level positions involved with the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of human social behavior.

The general objectives of the Sociology minor are to enable a student to obtain the skills and theoretical concepts used to study individuals within social groups, the organization of groups, relations between groups, and the processes that maintain or change these social structures of familial, economic, and political life.

The learning objectives of the Sociology Program are based on those of the American Sociological Association. Graduating students must be able to demonstrate their understandings and application of:

1. The discipline of Sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality such that the student can apply the sociological imagination and Sociological principles and concepts to any social topic, including to her or his own life;
2. The role of theory in Sociology, such that the student will be able to define theory and describe its role in generating sociological knowledge, and be able to compare and contrast basic theoretical perspectives;
3. The role of empirical evidence and the application of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in collecting data, the ability to design a research study, collect and analyze data, and present the findings in research paper format;
4. Technical skill in retrieving information and data from archival sources, the internet and other data storage formats, and the use of computers for data analysis;
5. Scientific technical writing that accurately conveys the data findings. An understanding of the issue and the ability to apply the principles of ethical practices in Sociology.

Sociology Major - Student Advisement Form

Sociology Major - General Education Advisement Form