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Home > Undergraduate Program : Major

Major

Interested in Declaring a Sociology Major?

Learn how to declare a Sociology major.

If you have taken, or plan to take, Sociology courses from another institution (within the U.S. or abroad), be sure to look at the Transfer Coursework web link to learn how to have these courses evaluated towards your major.

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FAQ: Majoring in Sociology

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

 

What undergraduate degree options are available in Sociology at the University of Minnesota?

There are two tracks (concentrations) for an undergraduate major in Sociology:

1. General Option
2. 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.)
• Soc 3xxx/4xxx: Five (5) Upper Division Sociology Electives (15 cr. total)
• Soc 4966W: Major Project Seminar (4 cr.) or equivalent
  • Students with another major in CLA only need to do 1 Major Project; if the Major Project is done in the other major, another Soc 3xxx/4xxx level elective is required in lieu of 4966W or equivalent course. Please talk with your advisers about your options.
  • Students in another college, e.g. CEHD, who wish to earn a Sociology major, must complete all major requirements, including Soc 4966W 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.

 

How do I declare my major?

Learn how to declare your major in Sociology here.

If you are interested in the Bachelor of Science option, you should also bring:

• 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 Sociology Bachelor of Science link on our website. We strongly recommend that you receive approval for your BS program before completion of the supportive field courses.

 

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, be sure to check out the Soc Scene Newsletter to get up to date information about opportunities and career events

 

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 please be patient while courses are being evaluated.

Transfer students must complete five sociology courses in our department.

 

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.

 

I have a hold on my record. How can I have it removed?

For MDR holds, you must declare a major 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.

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FAQ: Minoring in Sociology

What minor options are available in sociology at the University of Minnesota?

There are two options for an undergraduate minor in Sociology:

• General Option
• Law, Criminology, and Deviance (LCD) Option

Both the General and LCD Options have the prerequisite of SOC 1001(V): Introduction to Sociology. Students must complete this course prior to declaring their minor in Sociology.

The General Option requires SOC 3701: Social Theory; SOC 3811: Basic Social Statistics or SOC 3801: Sociological Research Methods; and two sociology electives.

The LCD Option requires SOC 3701 OR SOC 3811 OR SOC 3801; SOC 3101 OR SOC 3102; two LCD SOC electives (SOC 41xx); and one non-LCD SOC elective (SOC 3xxx or 4xxx, but not 41xx).

 

How do I declare my minor?

To declare your minor, download a Minor Declaration Form. Fill this out and send it in an e-mail to socadvis@umn.edu or turn in a hard copy to 909 Social Sciences Building. Your application will be processed within two to three weeks. A copy of your minor program form will be sent to your college office, and we will notify you by email.

 

Do I need to see a Sociology advisor?

You are not required to see an advisor for a minor. However, you are welcome stop by during walk-in hours. Once your college office has your minor program form on file, they'll be able to determine whether you've satisfied the requirements for the minor when you're cleared for graduation.

 

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 minor. If the courses you took have previously been evaluated by our faculty for application toward minor requirements, the advisor will be able to tell you whether the courses will count toward your minor when you come to fill out your minor application. 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 please be patient while courses are being evaluated.

Transfer students must complete at least two courses in our department.

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