Sociology (B.A./B.S.) - Human Resources Specialization

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Coordinator/Contact

Mary Emery, Department Head
Department of Sociology and Rural Studies
Hansen Hall 004
605-688-4132

Program Information

Graduates in the human resources specialization work in employee recruitment, personnel management, customer relations, marketing, and sales. Students take Business, Economics, and Psychology electives. An internship is strongly encouraged.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students majoring in Sociology with a Human Resources specialization will:

develop skills in applying the Sociological Imagination to understanding and addressing social issues.
develop the ability to apply critical thinking skills to understanding society, social and work related organizations, social structures and the interaction of people and groups within a social context.
develop and implement a sociological practice by identifying careers related to human resources, civic, and volunteer opportunities, and developing capacity to apply sociological principles, methods, and theories to addressing social issues, particularly as they relate to work environments.
develop skills in communicating sociological information through writing and speaking, particularly in relation to work environments.
develop the skills and understanding to apply sociological theories to current and past social problems and public issues.
develop and apply skills in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
understand and apply basic ethical principles in the study of society and in applying sociological and human resources-related approaches.
understand and develop skills related to the sociological, psychological, management, and or/or economic aspects of Human Resources practices and regulations.

Academic Requirements

A minimum GPA of 2.2 and at least a C in all major courses is required.
A Grade of C or better in all major courses.
No SOC class may be used for the major AND the CJUS minor.

Course Delivery Format

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

Requirements for Sociology Major - Human Resources Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication : Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication : Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity : SOC 100 and SGR #3 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity : Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics : Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences : Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 13+

Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.
AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

HRM 460 - Human Resource Management (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 283 - Working with Diverse Populations Credits: 3
SOC 284 - Investigating the Social World Credits: 3
SOC 307 - Research Methods I (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 308 - Research Methods II (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 353 - Sociology of Work (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 403 - Sociological Theory (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 489 - Capstone (COM) Credits: 3 (Capstone)

Select from the following

Select from the following courses. Credits: 14

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
ACCT 211 - Principles of Accounting II (COM) Credits: 3
BADM / MGMT 360 - Organization and Management (COM) Credits: 3
BLAW 350 - Legal Environment of Business (COM) Credits: 3
PSYC 331 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology (COM) Credits: 3
PSYC 477 - Psychology Testing and Measurement (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 350 - Race and Ethnic Relations (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 377 - Documentation in Practice Settings Credits: 3
SOC 433-533 - Leadership and Organizations (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 462-562 - Population Studies (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (maximum of 5 credits)

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	38 Credit Hours
Electives**	43 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	13+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	38 Credit Hours
Electives**	45 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.