Students interested in understanding human behavior will benefit from the breadth and depth of scientific inquiry present in the sociology major. Sociology has both academic and personal relevance as students examine patterns of social relationships and social interactions, the role of social institutions in everyday life, and the causes and consequences of social change.
As a scientific discipline, sociology teaches students how to integrate theory and empirical data to investigate current social realities and act effectively on the central issues of our time. Sociology majors have the opportunity to engage with relevant social issues as they take classes on a variety of topics including gender and sexuality, racial discrimination, immigration, crime and deviance, health and medicine, popular culture, social movements, and the environment.
A major in sociology provides students with valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills and fosters improved communication skills. Students with a degree in Sociology have a strong liberal arts base that helps them succeed in fields such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. The investigative nature of foundational sociological skills also helps students flourish in careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| Elements of Sociology | |
| Elements of Sociology, Honors | |
| Principles of Sociology | |
| |
| SOC 280 | Introduction to Social Research | 3 |
| |
| SOC 380 | Elementary Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| |
| SOC 480 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| 21 |
| |
| |
| Competing Perspectives on Crime and Deviance | |
| Internship in Sociology | |
| Honors Course | |
| Sociology of the Middle East | |
| Individual Undergraduate Research | |
Capstone Requirement
All Sociology majors must fulfill the university capstone requirement. Any capstone course or experience approved by the UCCC can be used to satisfy this requirement.
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 33 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major. At least 15 credit hours at the 300+ level, including SOC 280, SOC 380, and SOC 480, must be taken at KU.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 21 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Graduation Plan
With careful planning and commitment to a full-time course load, you can graduate in 4 years. Download a sample 4-year plan for sociology.
Double Majors
Sociology majors may want to consider a second major in philosophy; history; women’s studies; area studies; or one of the natural or social sciences; or a second degree in journalism or other professional disciplines.
A sample 4-year plan for a BA degree in Sociology can be found here: Sociology, or by using the left-side navigation.
A sample 4-year plan for the BGS degree in Sociology can be found here: Sociology, or by using the left-side navigation.
Departmental Honors
Working under the supervision of a faculty mentor, the undergraduate student must complete 6 hours of work in SOC 499 culminating in a superior thesis. The thesis must be certified by 3 members of the College faculty, at least 2 of whom must be from sociology, nominated by the candidate and approved by the departmental honors coordinator. The student also must achieve a grade-point average of at least 3.5 in sociology.
