About this program
Sociology
The B.A. major in sociology acquaints students with basic principles, methods, and findings in sociology and the scientific study of society and of human social interaction as organized in systems of social relationships, organizations, and institutions. It seeks to explain the order, disorder, and change that characterize social life as well as their implications for individuals. Major subfields offered by the Department of Sociology include social psychology; deviance; social inequality; medical sociology; and the study of the family, schools, gender roles, ethnic and racial groups, and social classes. Provision is made for students who wish to acquire a general background as well as for those who wish to develop particular interests in a subfield of sociology. The major provides a foundation for careers in many professional fields, such as law, social service administration, and business, as well as for graduate training as professional sociologists in government, business, community agencies, research organizations, or universities.
Admission requirements
First-year admission standards
High school curriculum & equivalency prerequisites
- 8 credits (semesters) of English, such as literature, grammar, or composition
- 7 credits (semesters) of mathematics, including:
- 4 credits of algebra and 2 credits of geometry (or an equivalent 6 credits of integrated algebra and geometry)
- 1 credit of pre-calculus, trigonometry, or calculus
- 6 credits (semesters) of social sciences, including:
- 2 credits of U.S. history
- 2 credits of world history/civilization/geography
- 2 additional credits in government, economics, sociology, history, or similar topics
- 6 credits (semesters) of sciences, including at least 4 credits of laboratory sciences: biology, chemistry, or physics
- 4 credits (semesters) of world languages
- 3 or more credits (semesters) of additional college-preparatory courses
- Additional mathematics credits are recommended for students intending to pursue a science degree
- Additional world language credits are recommended for all students
Average high school GPA
3.90 (out of 4.0)
Secondary school graduation requirement
You need to complete the equivalent of U.S. high school. Many education systems call this upper secondary school. It includes all course components and examinations required for graduation.
If you are homeschooled or attend an alternative school, you need to submit credentials that demonstrate equivalent levels of achievement and ability.
Demonstration of English proficiency
IU Bloomington requires all nonnative English-speaking international undergraduate applicants to demonstrate English proficiency.
For more information about admission requirements in each IU school, please contact the institute.
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Program content
Year One
Fall Term
- IUB GenEd Foundations: English Composition
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Critical Approaches
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Foreign Language
- Major Requirement
Spring Term
- IUB GenEd Foundations: Mathematical Modeling
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Foreign Language
- Major Requirement
- IUB GenEd Breadth of Inquiry: Natural and Mathematical Sciences
- IUB GenEd Breadth of Inquiry: Social and Historical Studies
Year Two
Fall Term
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Foreign Language
- Major Course Option
- IUB GenEd Breadth of Inquiry: Natural and Mathematical Sciences
- IUB GenEd Breadth of Inquiry: Arts and Humanities
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Diversity in the United States
Spring Term
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Foreign Language
- Major Required Course
- IUB GenEd Breadth of Inquiry: Arts and Humanities
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Arts and Humanities
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Global Civilizations and Cultures
Year Three
Fall Term
- Major Required Course
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Natural and Mathematical Sciences
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Arts and Humanities
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Social and Historical Studies
- General Electives at the 300-400 level
Spring Term
- Major Course Option
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Social and Historical Studies
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Arts and Humanities
- College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE): Intensive Writing
- College of Arts and Sciences Electives
Year Four
Fall Term
- Major Course Option
- 400 Level Capstone Seminar
- College of Arts and Sciences Electives
- General Elective
Spring Term
- Major Course Option
- Major Course Option
- College of Arts and Sciences Electives
- College of Arts and Sciences Electives
- General Elective
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available, please contact the university for more information.
Tuition
- Indiana residents: $11,332 per year
- Non-residents: $38,352 per year
Qualification
Through the major
The major in Sociology provides you with a set of skills and qualities that are relevant and transferable to many areas of study and work. These include:
- Cultural and Cross-Cultural Understanding: Understand how social forces influence human behavior and how variation in beliefs and behavior are influenced by social location
- Research: Utilize a variety of research methods and designs for data collection and analysis
- Data Interpretation: Learn statistical skills and interpret basic quantitative information and patterns
- Analytical Thinking: Analyze data using appropriate methods and paradigms of inquiry
- Critical Thinking: Evaluate the arguments of major theorists and compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each
- Communication and Leadership: Inform and interact, both orally and in writing, with experts and non-specialists
Through a College of Arts and Sciences degree
Your coursework provides many opportunities to develop the following five foundational skills that will serve you well in every career path:
- Question critically
- Think logically
- Communicate clearly
- Act creatively
- Live ethically
These foundational skills will aid you in landing your first job and advancing professionally throughout your working life. Not only are these the skills that employers say they value most in the workplace, they provide the best preparation for lifelong success in a world of complexity, uncertainty, and change.
Career paths
The employment outlook is positive for students with a degree in sociology, partly due to the range of interest areas within the major. Because sociology is a study of social life, group interactions, and relationships among people, the skills and knowledge you will gain are of vital interest to businesses, governments, and other organizations.
Sociology majors take their education in many directions, whether moving directly into a career or going on to graduate or professional studies. As technological advancements make the world smaller, understanding new and old cultures is necessary for better working relationships across a wide range of professional fields.
Initial and long-term destinations for graduates include positions in employment sectors such as: human services, counseling, psychology, social work, medicine, college student personnel, higher education administration, planning, criminal justice, law, education, government, social science research, business, marketing, sales, environmental sociology, and other related fields.
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About this institute
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University in Bloomington (IU) was founded in 1820 and is one of the largest universities in the United States. IU is one of only 34 public university members of the selective Association of American Universities. Its 42,000 students come...
Why study at Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington, also known as "IUB" or just "IU," offers students from all over the world the quintessential American college experience. With over 43,000 students, IU is one of the largest universities in the US, but it has a small-school feel. This means you'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities for research, creativity, and sports, and learn from world-class instructors, but you'll also find yourself in small classes with opportunities to really connect with your classmates and professors. While there are certainly large lecture-style classes as well, our average class size is 30, and most of our class sections have 20 students or less.
IU is also a very diverse place - we're a second home to over 5,000 international students from 144 countries, and 37% of our faculty have an international background.
IU offers over 200 undergraduate majors, including some that are the first of their kind in the US, such as the BS in Intelligent Systems Engineering, and the BS in Cybersecurity and Global Policy. With twenty degree programs ranked among the top ten on national and global indexes, Indiana University is particularly known for its Kelley School of Business; Jacobs School of Music;School of Informatics, Computing, & Engineering; School of Media (film and journalism);and School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Contact info
Indiana University Bloomington
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