Sociology

What Is Sociology ?

Sociology is the scientific study of society and the various groups that make up a society. Sociology majors develop strong research and analytical skills while exploring the social causes and consequences of human behavior. They study the structure of societies and groups and explain how social change occurs within them. Sociologists both develop theories about social behavior and apply these theories to solve social problems and form social policy.

Success Factors

Sociology majors have good critical-thinking abilities and are concerned with understanding society and improving social institutions and the well-being of individuals. Strong writing, math and computer skills are important for sociology majors in their education and subsequent career work. The skills of analysis, research, reading and writing that a student majoring in sociology acquires are highly valued in a wide range of business positions. Sociology is an excellent major for students who are interested in working with people and groups in a variety of fields, e.g., business, social work, law and medicine.

Career Possibilities

Like students who graduate with other liberal arts majors, graduates with a BA in sociology are prepared for many different career options. The skills and interests of a sociology major could lead to careers in:

• sociologist (requires graduate training)
• market research
• social research
• career counseling
• law
• the ministry
• medical services

Master’s graduates may:

• teach in community colleges
• assist with research and planning in government agencies, private corporations or civic organizations

A PhD is usually required for:

• teaching and research at the university level
• directing research programs

Major Details

Students should plan on entering the major as early as possible so that they can sequence their course work. During the first two years, sociology majors take courses designed to meet the curriculum requirements of McMicken College of Arts and Sciences and should begin sociology course work. During the junior and senior years, they focus more directly upon sociology. The major is designed to introduce students to the diverse aspects of society as well as to the methods used to explore them. Course topics are varied and include family, work and industry, gender and race relations, social inequality, migration, education, urban problems, populations and environment, criminology, deviance, social movements, religion, small group behavior, health and illness, and the socialization of children and adults.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• African American studies
• Anthropology
• Asian studies
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• International affairs
• International human rights
• Journalism
• Languages
• Latin American studies
• Organizational leadership
• Psychology
• Women's studies
• Social work
• Urban planning
• Addictions
• Child abuse recognition
• Domestic violence counseling
• Health planning

Minor Details

A minor in sociology is often of interest to students in allied behavioral and social sciences, including criminal justice, social work, psychology and other fields. Minors complete 30 credit hours in sociology; six hours of theory; three hours of social inequality; six hours of social psychology and social change; and 15 additional hours of sociology electives.

Minor checklist

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Special Opportunities

Students in the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, tri-state location offers exciting opportunitites for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

Students who declare sociology as their major early in their academic career may combine the sociology major with certificates in other disciplines. The sociology major works well with a certificate in business for students planning business careers. Adding a certificate in planning offered by DAAP can lead to careers in community, government and business. The major also can be used with a certificate in journalism for a future in professional writing, or majors can select the criminal justice track for careers in areas such as law enforcement or parole.

UC’s Sociology Department has strong emphases in social inequality, work and family, social psychology and population and urban research. Students get strong grounding in theory, statistics and research methods, culminating in a research-oriented capstone experience. This is a relatively small department with excellent teachers, about 90-100 majors and an active undergraduate sociology club.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college-prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply to the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received the associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear, off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in priority registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Additional information regarding transfer students is available in the McMicken College Bulletin.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university general education requirements, the requirements listed in the college bulletin are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While mid-year admission is possible, the fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to Arts & Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).