Sociology (B.A./B.S.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact

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

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 minors in Criminal Justice, Social and Human Services, Youth and Community, and Sociology.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students majoring in Sociology 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 structures and the interaction of people and groups within a social context.
develop and implement a sociological practice by identifying career, civic, and volunteer opportunities, and developing capacity to apply sociological principles, methods, and theories to alleviating social problems and addressing social issues at the micro and macro levels.
demonstrate writing and speaking skills that communicate professionally with clients, professionals, funders, and employers.
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 approaches.

Academic Requirements

A minimum GPA of 2.2.
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: 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

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 403 - Sociological Theory (COM) Credits: 3
SOC 489 - Capstone (COM) Credits: 3 (Capstone)
SOC/ANTH Electives: 18

Select from the following

120 hour practice experience may be accomplished in these courses. Credits: 3

SOC 286 - Service Learning Credits: 1-3
SOC 491 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3
SOC 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12
SOC 496 - Field Experience (COM) Credits: 1-12

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	33 Credit Hours
Electives**	54 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	33 Credit Hours
Electives**	50 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.