Program: Sociology Major - South Dakota State University

2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog

Mar 13, 2025

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

Program Information
The world awaits all who have a major in sociology. The mission of the Department of Sociology & Rural Studies is to provide students with the theoretical and substantive knowledge to participate as skilled professionals within the institutions and organizations that shape our increasingly diverse and global society. 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. In addition to four options within the major, the Department also offers a minor in Criminal Justice and in Sociology.

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 Awareness 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.