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Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

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Sociology is a data-driven social science. It is the study of human behavior in the context of social interaction and group structures. And, it's a versatile degree. With sociology, you will be trained in ways to understand the impact of beliefs, groups, and structures on all aspects of life.

Not everyone who uses sociological methods has the job title "sociologist." Some have titles like "marketing researcher" or "human resources coordinator" or "public relations manager." What you will learn as a sociology major is: how to collect data (interviews, focus groups); how to analyze data (surveys, statistics); how to determine if the data collected by someone else has value, how to use these data to test hypotheses and formulate policy.

What you'll learn here is a way of approaching data and thinking about people — real people, not just data points — that can help change the world. Because that's how sociologists think. We are problem-solvers and team-players, with technical skills including statistics and data analysis. Join us!

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Degree Requirements

The undergraduate major can be accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum Requirements: 39 credit hours
  • College of Liberal Arts Academic Requirements: 11 credit hours
  • Sociology Major Requirements: 36 credit hours
  • Electives: 34 credit hours

Compass iconCheck out the Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View all related undergraduate courses.

Minors

Looking for a way to customize a related degree or cast a wider career net? Enhance and complement another social science or sociology-adjacent major by choosing one of our four minor programs:

  • Sociology: As a minor, you'll learn about current social challenges, and the ways sociology research methods work. Sociology is a strong backup for majors in Criminology & Criminal Justice, Marketing, Management, Economics, Social Work, Education, Health Care Management, Political Science, Journalism, Public Health or any other major requiring data collection and analysis with a human context.
  • Social Justice: This rigorous interdisciplinary minor is for those interested in being in the front line of social justice. This minor includes coursework from across the humanities and social sciences, and can be tailored to your specific career interests. Many of these courses require prerequisites, so plan this minor with your academic advisor.
  • Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies: This is an interdisciplinary minor that explores the intersections of gender, sex and sexuality as well as race, class and other identities. The minor provides a strong critical approach to various areas of scholarship, including but not limited to the social sciences, through a queer or feminist lens.
  • Peace Studies: This interdisciplinary minor is designed to examine the causes of war and violence, the history of war and peace, and alternatives to violence in thought and practice. The minor includes core courses in a minimum of three areas from across communication and media, humanities and more.

Sociology Honors Program

Get the most our of your major and degree by entering the Sociology Honors Program. To qualify, you should have an overall GPA of at least 3.0, with a GPA of at least 3.25 in a minimum of eight credit hours in Sociology. This honors program also requires research or independent study credit hours in Sociology.

Your successful completion of the Sociology Honor Program is noted on your diploma and official transcripts. We encourage you to join the University Honors Program as well, as part of your academic achievements.

Opportunities

Here at SIU, you'll have the advantage of small class sizes—about ten students in upper division classes; as few as 40 in other classes—and a supportive environment.

We encourage our undergraduate students to participate in research as a hands-on learning method. Practical skills and experience will make your résumé or grad school application stand out.

All you have to do to get involved with research is ask! Your research can lead to student publication or presenting your research at professional and academic conferences. Other opportunities include volunteering/service learning, internships, and more.

Scholarships

Sociology majors working toward a bachelor's degree (undergraduates) are eligible for several major-specific scholarships. These are competitive, renewable scholarships that not only provide financial support, but also indicate our confidence in your future as a scholar and a professional. These scholarships even include one that rewards a strong sociology research paper.

Alpha Kappa Delta

The International Sociology Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta takes its name from the first letters in the Greek words Anthropon, Katamanthenein and Diakonesein, translated as "to investigate humanity for the purpose of service."

Membership Requirements include:

  • Officially declared sociology as your major, or demonstrated a serious interest in sociology at SIU
  • Junior standing
  • An overall GPA of at least 3.0
  • A 3.0 GPA in sociology courses
  • Completion of at least four sociology courses
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Undergrad Sociology Club

The Undergrad Sociology Club seeks to bring awareness of socially relevant issues to its member and to the broader collegiate and regional community. The club is a place where students, faculty, and community members can gather and exchange ideas relevant to the study of sociology.

This is a networking and friendship-building opportunity for sociology students and those interested in the field. We hope to cultivate enthusiasm and energy through activities such as social events, field trips, volunteer opportunities, guest speakers, and group discussion. We want to host experiences that promote mental growth and inspire action.

Contact Information

To learn more about the sociology program, or to request additional information and/or materials, please contact:

Chris Wienke
Faner Hall
1000 Faner Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-7629
cwienke@siu.edu

Steven Sawyer
Advisor
618-453-3388
ssawyer@siu.edu

Careers in Sociology

You will have flexibility to use your degree in a variety of settings from city government to non-profit sectors to corporate business. Our program includes added focus on medical sociology, which will help you if you intend to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which now includes a section on society, inequality, race, class, and gender. Here are some career paths taken by our sociology majors:

  • Academia (graduate degree)
  • Law school
  • Medical school
  • Social work
  • Education
  • Human resources
  • Corporate and industry job training
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Women's protection agencies
  • Child protective services
  • Advocacy organizations
  • City government/urban planning
  • Congressional aid
  • Public opinion survey analyst
  • Public health researcher and analyst
  • Market research analyst
  • Consumer survey advisor
  • Diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) officer
  • Labor relations representative
  • Public relations
  • Parole or probation officer