BA in Sociology

• Students will be able to identify and apply sociological concepts and theories to everyday life, human behavior, and societies.
• Students will be able to identify, analyze, and explain the factors contributing to and the consequences of social stratification and social inequality across dimensions/statuses and institutions. Students will engage with diversity (i.e., individual differences and group/social differences) in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to and participation in educational and community programs for all members of society. (Cross-curricular Skills: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
• Students will be able to identify the characteristics of high-quality data and methods in sociological research and be able to effectively explain the results of sociological research to others. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and creative thinking)
• Students will be able to assess the effectiveness of various social policies within the United States through the process of designing, evaluating, and implementing a strategy to evaluate policies. (Cross-curricular Skills: Problem Solving)
• Students will be able to communicate effectively in a wide variety of contexts and demonstrate skills that support understanding and effective communication and interaction in a variety of contexts. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge)
• A systematic process of exploring issues, objects, or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments. The analysis is the process of breaking complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them. (Cross-curricular Skills: Inquiry and analysis)

First Year Fall

• IDL 190, Freshman Seminar 2
• ENGL 101, Composition I 3
• CJUS 201, Introduction to Criminal Justice* 3
• SOC 100, Introduction to Sociology** 3
• MATH 114/L, College Algebra* 3-4

First Year Spring

• ENGL 201, Composition II 3
• SPCM 101, Fundamentals of Speech* 3
• MUS 100, Music Appreciation* 3
• HIST 121, Western Civilization I* 3
• BIOL 101/L, Biology Survey I 3

Second Year Fall

• Introductory or Intermediate Foreign Language 3-4
• BIOL 211/L, Environmental Biology 3
• Human Values Course 3
• SOC 281, Socio-Cultural Theory 3
• Stratification and Inequality Course 3

Second Year Spring

• ENGL 210, Introduction to Literature* 3
• CJUS 380, Research and Data Analysis in Criminal Justice 3
• Stratification and Inequality Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3

Third Year Fall

• SOC 270, Introduction to Social Work 3
• SOC 315, Social Work Practice I 3
• SOC 396, Field Experience** 1
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3

Third Year Spring

• SOC 320, Social Work Practice II 3
• Social Institution Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3

Fourth Year Fall

• Sociology Elective Course 3
• Sociology Elective Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3

Fourth Year Spring

• SOC 485, Social Science Capstone 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3

*Fulfills a General Education Requirement. Other course options may be available.
**Fulfills a major requirement. Other course options may be available.
***Fulfills a general elective. Other course options may be available.

This plan of study is not an official document. Depending on placement scores, developmental courses may be required. Course rotations may change. Please visit with a professional advisor at least once a semester to review appropriate course choices and plan updates.

Suggested Double Majors: Government, Psychology, and History

Suggested Minors: Government, Psychology, English and History

Sociology majors with a bachelor's degree work in a variety of occupations - many as social workers, administrators, protective service workers, and nonprofit or government workers; and in other services, managerial and management-related occupations.

Potential jobs include law, policing, social welfare, business administration, education, communications, advocacy, community organizers and activists, human services, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, sociologists, and public interest advocates.

Many sociology majors go on to earn master's degrees in social work, psychology, counseling or business. A master's degree is typically required for social work positions in health and school settings and for clinical work.

Internships

Through internships, we foster relationships for our students in the Aberdeen and South Dakota communities - relationships that cultivate career opportunities. Sociology majors observe professionals at work and gain practical job experience during the program's field experience component. Students will complete a minimum of 1-credit hour field experience (SOC 396) or take part in our Traveling Classroom (SS 360) experience.

All NSU sociology majors are encouraged to consider completing an internship for course credit. Internships are a proven way to gain relevant knowledge, skills, and experience while establishing important career connections. Students who have successfully completed either a paid or unpaid internship have a much better chance of landing full-time, professional positions upon graduation because these experiences provide a competitive edge and are highly valued by employers.