Program: Sociology Major - South Dakota State University

2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 18, 2025

Program Contact/Coordinator
Mary Emery, Head
Department of Sociology and Rural Studies
Scobey Hall 224
605-688-4132
email: Mary.Emery@sdstate.edu
http://www.sdstate.edu/soc/
Click here for additional information.

Program Information
The world awaits all who have a major in sociology. Students receive a broad liberal arts education that will qualify them for many different kinds of occupations, such as group work with youth or the elderly, community development, business, college admissions, family planning, criminal justice, and other government jobs. Most match their sociology major with a major or a minor in economics, psychology, human development and family studies, leadership and management of nonprofit organizations, and political science.

Additional Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.2 and at least a C in all major courses is required.

Course Delivery Format
The program offers coursework on campus, on-line, and at attendance centers around the state.

Requirements for Sociology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 30

Goal #1 Written Communication Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences Credits: 6

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awarness and Social and Environmental Responsibility Credits: 3

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements: 17-34

Bachelor of Arts

Modern Languages Credits: 3-14 (completion and competency in one language at the 202 level or a department-approved advanced upper division language course)
Social Sciences Credits: 8
Humanities Credits: 6

Bachelor of Science

Natural Science Credits: 14
With 6 credits of Biological Sciences
With 8 credits of Physical Sciences
Social Sciences Credits: 12
Humanities Credits: 8

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Major Requirements: 33

SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology * (COM) (G) Credits: 3
SOC 307 - Research Methods I Credits: 3
SOC 308 - Research Methods II Credits: 3
SOC 403 - Sociological Theory (COM) Credits: 3
SOC/ANTH Elective Credits: 21

Electives: 38-55

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.