Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Sociological Perspective: Six Essential Concepts

A graduate in sociology from Thiel College should understand:

• The Sociological Eye
• Social Structure
• Socialization
• Stratification
• Social Change & Social Reproduction
• Complexity & Contradiction in Society & Social Relations

Sociological Toolbox: Seven Essential Competencies

A graduate in sociology from Thiel College should be able to:

• critically evaluate and apply sociological theories and explanations to understand human behavior and social phenomena
• apply scientific principles to understand the social world
• evaluate the quality of social scientific methods and data
• rigorously analyze social scientific data
• use sociological knowledge to inform policy debates and promote public understanding
• apply the concepts of complexity and contradiction in the analysis of human behavior and social phenomena
• effectively communicate social scientific concepts in both written and oral forms.

Major Requirements

The major requires a minimum of 34 credit hours and must include the below courses:

• SOC 121 Microsociology
• SOC 141 Macrosociology
• SOC 215 Statistics for the Social Sciences
• SOC 251 Minorities
• SOC 341 Social Research Methods
• SOC 342 Sociological Theory
• SOC/CJS 371 Professional Seminar
• SOC 440 Capstone in Sociology

In addition, three elective sociology courses (numbered 261 through 491), excluding SOC 455, and one other sociology course (any course number) are required.

Note: Students electing to double major in sociology and criminal justice studies may not use the same elective courses to satisfy the elective requirement for both majors. SOC 215: Statistics for the Social Sciences is accepted as a student’s second math class toward Thiel core curriculum graduation requirements. SOC 251: Minorities is required for the sociology major and may be used also as an elective in the criminal justice studies major if a student is a double major in sociology and criminal justice studies.

A declaration of a major in sociology must be filed no later than the first semester of the junior year.

As a Thiel College sociology major, you will be prepared for graduate study in sociology, social work, or a related field or employment in social services, and more! Our students leave Thiel well prepared to enter the workforce and students often find jobs in social service occupations, counseling, law, social work, and sociology. With a strong foundation of skills in research and analysis, plus the broad perspective provided by a liberal arts education, you’ll be ready to work almost anywhere your interests in society takes you.

Here are a few of the things you could do with your sociology degree from Thiel:

• Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations – earn a median salary of $55,000 per year helping businesses understand their potential customers and the best way to market to them.
• Public Policy – earn a median salary of $57,000 working with non-profits and other businesses to influence the government and help shape laws.
• Law – continue on to law school and earn a median salary of $81,000 as a prosecuting attorney or $76,000 as a public defender.
• Education – become a teacher or a guidance counselor in secondary schools – or with a graduate degree in colleges or universities.
• Social Services – earn a median salary of $42,480 working as a counselor with a non-profit, community, or government group.