Undergraduate Major FAQ
Contents:
What do sociologists study?
What undergraduate degree options are available in sociology at the University of Minnesota? (including minimum degree requirements)
How do I declare my major?
What can I do with a major in sociology?
I'm a transfer student. How can I get credit for sociology courses I took at another school?
How often do I need to see the undergraduate advisor?
How can the advisor help me?
How can I make an appointment to see the advisor?
I have a hold on my record. How can I have it removed?
What do sociologists study?
Simply put, sociologists study human social behavior. More specifically, our discipline examines:- How we group ourselves (families, social groups, formal organizations, societies),
- How we behave in groups (collective action, social change, crime and delinquency), and
- How characteristics like age, race, social class, and gender affect our relationships with each other, and with organizations and institutions
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What undergraduate degree options are available in sociology at the University of Minnesota?
There are two tracks (concentrations) for an undergraduate major in Sociology:
- General Option
- Law, Criminology, and Deviance (LCD) Option
The General Option is more flexible, allowing you to choose how to concentrate your sociology electives. The LCD Option is more structured, and gives you a concentration of courses geared toward law, criminology, and deviance.
There are also two degree options, a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) is what the overwhelming majority of students choose. The Bachelor of Science is a more rigorous degree option available for students who wish to have a more scientific background for their degree in Sociology.
Minimum Requirements
Both degree options and concentrations provide a basic knowledge of research methods, sociological principles, and social theory. Although course work in sociology beyond that which is required for the major may be taken, each of the two concentrations require:
Soc 1001: Introduction to Sociology (4 cr.)
Soc 3701: Social Theory (4 cr.)
Soc 3801: Social Research Methods (4 cr.)
Soc 3811: Basic Social Statistics (4 cr.) [not offered in the summer]
Soc 3xxx/4xxx: Five (5) Upper Division Sociology Electives (15 cr. total)
Soc 4966W: Major Project Seminar (4 cr.) or equivalent
The upper division sociology courses in the general sociology option may come from any sociological subfield. Law, criminology and deviance students take one required introductory course (Soc 3101 OR Soc 3102), and at least two of the four remaining upper division sociology courses in their subfield (law, criminology and deviance - all LCD Soc electives are in the Soc 41xx series). After the completion of all sociology courses, students write an original culminating paper on the research question of their choice (The major project).
Honors students see Honors section for additional information and program requirements.
Those students interested in the Bachelor of Science degree requirements should review the details with the Sociology Majors Handbook on degree options.
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How do I declare my major?
To declare your major in sociology, you must complete an on-line form with the sociology undergraduate advisor. In order to make this appointment you must complete the following steps:
- Attend a Sociology Information Meeting for pre-majors. Call 612-624-4300 to sign up.
- After the information meeting, schedule a "red dot" appointment with the undergraduate advisor by contacting the main office. Students are strongly encouraged to come to an actual appointment, rather than walk-in hours, since completing the major program form takes some time.
- All students must bring the following materials to the red-dot appointment:
- A one to two page, typed letter introducing yourself and describing why you are choosing a major in sociology. (See guidelines for the letter of intro on our major declaration web page.); AND
- A current Sociology APAS report from One Stop. Rather than bring in an APAS report for another major or an undeclared report, please take an extra few moments and click on Generate a "What-If" APAS report (major-shopping) for this student...
o There are four easy steps under the “What If” link to pull a report as if you were already a Sociology major.
o Once the Soc APAS report opens remember to click on the link at the top on “printer friendly report” before hitting print.
- Your B.S. proposal, stating why you are choosing this option and offering a justification for the four supportive field courses you're choosing for your program. (You may want to send this document in advance of your individual meeting, so that you can be signed up for the B.S. option when you come to your red-dot appointment. Otherwise, you will be signed up for the B.A. option until your B.S. proposal is approved.)
- Please review the details regarding the B.S. proposal process within the Soc Majors Handbook under degree options. We strongly recommend that you receive approval for your BS program before completion of the supportive field courses.
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What can I do with a major in sociology?
This is a common question. The answer is refreshingly simple: Sociology is a remarkably eclectic discipline. Because sociologists study human social behavior, sociology is applicable in whatever situations you might find human social behavior. Basically, sociology is useful just about anywhere. This is reflected in the career paths of students receiving a Bachelor's degree in sociology. Our undergraduates go on to careers in business (sales, marketing, management), human services (child welfare, social welfare), criminal justice (law enforcement, courts, corrections), the non-profit sector(advocacy, community outreach), the government sector (legislation, research, planning, evaluation), and many, many other careers. An undergraduate degree in sociology is also excellent preparation for graduate school in sociology or other disciplines, law school, or training in a medical profession.
For further information about what you can do with a major in sociology, check back at this website for details about upcoming workshops on this topic. If you're a sociology major you'll also receive e-mail notification about upcoming workshops.
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I'm a transfer student. How can I get credit for sociology courses I took at another school?
If you took courses at another school, they will not automatically be applied toward your major. If the courses you took have previously been evaluated by our faculty for application toward major requirements, the advisor will be able to tell you whether the courses will count toward your major when you come to fill out your major program form. If the department has not previously approved a course, you will be asked to submit information about the course to our department for review by our faculty. In general, the more information you provide, the better informed our faculty can be in their review of the course. At a minimum, you must provide a syllabus from the course. You may also be asked to provide class notes, textbooks, exams, papers, and other class materials to assist our faculty in their decision.
This evaluation process takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, so be prepared to wait while courses are being evaluated.
Transfer students must complete five sociology courses in our department.
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How often do I need to see the undergraduate advisor?
We recommend you see the undergraduate advisor at least once a year. The best time to come in for a progress check is during the spring or summer, after you've accumulated another year of coursework. (Note: Registration is not a good time to come in, unless you have problems with registering. This is the busiest time of the semester, and it is very difficult to see the advisor during this period.) Although we recommend you come in at least once per year, you're welcome to come in more often.
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How can the advisor help me?
There are many ways the undergraduate advisor can assist you. A sample includes:
- Completion of you online major program form
- Advising you about major/minor requirements
- Helping you decide which classes to take
- Helping you figure out how to balance work, school, family and other obligations
- Assisting you in career exploration and/or career planning
- Advising you about internship possibilities and how to get credit for them
- Advising you about community service learning opportunities
- Referring you to resources that can help you improve your academic skills (studying, test-taking, etc.)
- Assisting you in interacting with other university units (e.g., Registrar, CLA, Disability Services, etc.)
- Assisting you in resolving conflicts with professors/TAs/other students
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How can I make an appointment to see the advisor?
The advisor generally has both walk-in hours and appointments every week. The advisor's schedule is available at least a week in advance, so it's best to call the Friday before the week you plan to come in or Monday of that week. Call the main department number at 624-4300 to schedule an appointment or find out about available walk-in hours.
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I have a hold on my record.How can I have it removed?
For MDR holds, you must complete your major program form in order for the hold to be removed. See above question about how to declare your major in sociology.
For other holds, contact your CLA advisor. The advisor can tell you whether you need to come in for an appointment, or whether the hold can be removed without an appointment.