Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Sociology delves into critical issues like inequality, social mobility, and social responsibility. Our courses illuminate how social forces and cultural contexts shape experiences and link personal challenges to broader social problems. We empower students to collaborate and use information to tackle real-world problems with theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and effective communication. The department offers a MA, BA, a BS, and a minor in Sociology, as well as interdisciplinary minors in Community Leadership and Cultural Competency. These minors focus on experiential learning and championing diverse community needs. Most programs are available in-person or online.
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology
The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology requires a minimum of 120 hours of coursework, including the SHSU Core Requirements (42 hours), Degree Specific Requirements (15 hours – 14 hours of Foreign Language and 1 hour of NGLI 1101), Sociology Core, Applied Core, and Electives (36 hours), a minor (18 hours), and 9 additional hours of general electives.
Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology requires a minimum of 120 hours of coursework, including the SHSU Core Requirements (42 hours), Degree Specific Requirements (12 hours – 8 hours of Natural Sciences, 3 hours of Math, and 1 hour of NGLI), Sociology Core, Applied Core, and Electives (36 hours), a minor (18 hours), and 12 additional hours of general and/or advanced electives.
Minor in Community Leadership
The Minor in Community Leadership provides students with knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be agents of change in their communities. Students begin the minor with the foundational Intro to Community Leadership SOCI 3305 and strengthen their communication skills in Intercultural Communication COMS 3370. Once students have completed SOCI 3305 and are in their senior year, they are eligible to enroll in the capstone internship course SOCI 4379. The three core courses all feature the Academic Community Engagement (ACE) pedagogy giving students opportunities to apply knowledge and skills to meet community needs and gain professional experience. Three elective courses round out the minor providing students an interdisciplinary perspective on community leadership
Minor in Sociology
A Minor in Sociology is an excellent complement for students intending careers in health-related fields, the non-profit sector, government, higher education, human resource management, social services, and business. The Minor in Sociology provides students with instruction in core sociological concepts and methods. In addition, the minor equips students with conceptual and methodological skills as well as sociological knowledge in areas of their choosing.