Academic Transfer Pathway

BACHELOR OF ARTS or SCIENCE IN SOCIOLOGY

“Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.”
C. Wright Mills

“The Department of Sociology at Sam Houston State University is committed to furthering knowledge of social life, social change and the causes and consequences of human behavior using the context of globalization. While in the program, students develop the "sociological advantage," or the ability to examine interpersonal relationships and relate them to the larger social world.”   - C. Wright Mills Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from organized crime to religious cults, from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from the sociology of the environment to the sociology of sports. Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is tapped by those who craft policies and create programs.

Mission The Department of Sociology’s mission is to acquire and disseminate knowledge on social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. SHSU Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society and study and understand social phenomena. The Department focuses on the study of Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; and Inequality and Society

Academic Programs • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology

Highlights • The department focuses on the study of Globalization, Community and Health. • Members of the Sociology Department regularly publish in important scientific journals • Members of the Sociology Department occupy leadership positions in professional organizations domestically and internationally.

Suggested Minors • Health Education • Psychology • Criminal Justice • Political Science • Human Services • Communication Studies

• History • Middle Eastern Studies

Career Opportunities Sociology graduates find successful employment in the private sector (management, human resources, public relations), public sectors (Federal, State and Local Government agencies) and in non-profit organizations (NGOs) particularly in the areas of social services and analysis of social trends.

Student Organizations and Activities Students in the Sociology Club are introduced to the profession of Sociology through activities including research opportunities, volunteer work, organization of special events, participation in professional meetings, and programs highlighting speakers of note in the many interest areas of Sociology. The Sociology Club also actively supports the Sociology Scholarship fund.

Internships and Study Abroad Internship possibilities include work with the City of Huntsville, the TX Department of Agriculture, and social services organizations throughout the area. Further information is available at the website: https://www.shsu.edu/centers/rural-studies/TRIP.html.

Scholarships The department offers several scholarship opportunities for students. For information contact the department or visit the departmental website (https://www.shsu.edu/dept/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarship_blocks/chss.html#sociology)

Program Specific Requirements In order to graduate with a major or minor in Sociology, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in Sociology courses. The only substitution permitted is Psychology Statistics (PSYC3301/3101) for Social Statistics (SOCI3443). Only Principles of Sociology (SOCI1301) may be taken by correspondence to satisfy the degree requirements for a Sociology major or minor. After the degree requirements are satisfied, Sociology correspondence courses may be taken to satisfy advanced hours requirements.

Sociology Major: Bachelor of Arts Degree

1. 120 total credit hours
2. 37 credit hours in Sociology taken from:
   1. Entire sequence of courses in the Core Courses in Sociology
   2. Two courses in each of the three areas of concentration
3. Four semesters of a foreign language (14 hours)
4. 3 hours from Communication Studies

Sociology Major: Bachelor of Science Degree

1. 120 total credit hours
2. 37 credit hours in Sociology taken from:
   1. Entire sequence of courses in the Core Courses in Sociology
   2. Two courses in each of the three areas of concentration
3. 3 hours from Mathematics, excluding the Component Area II course.
4. Select 8 additional hours from the natural sciences, excluding the Component Area III courses.

Sociology Minor: Bachelor of Arts of Bachelor of Science Degree

1. 18 credit hours in Sociology
2. Required: SOCI1301, SOCI4340 and SOCI4344.
3. Plus, three courses from any of the three areas of concentration

Curriculum Students receive instruction in classical and contemporary sociological theory, qualitative and quantitative techniques of sociological investigation, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society, study social phenomena, and acquire the necessary skills to enter the global labor market. The department focuses on the study of Globalization, Community and Health. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and extra-curricular activities designed to foster critical sociological thinking and knowledge of today’s world. Instruction in general sociology is complemented by specialization in three substantive areas. Students can select to concentrate their undergraduate curriculum in Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; or Inequality and Society. Change, Economy and Society explores the relationships between society and the economy, patterns of change in the global society, the environment, social movements, and the organization of urban and rural societies. Culture and Social Institutions focuses on culture, social institutions such as the family, religion and health, and courses which analyze the most relevant social problems in today’s society. Inequality and Society examines social inequality, gender and inequality, age and inequality, race and ethnic inequality, and complex organizations.

Core Courses

Areas of Specialization • Change, Economy and Society:

• Culture and Social Institutions:

• Inequality and Society:

Most degrees require a minimum of 120 hours with 42 advanced hours (3000-level and 4000-level courses). Some degrees require additional hours. All students are required to complete at least six writing-enhanced courses accumulating a minimum of 18 semester hours towards degree completion. Six of the hours must come from the student’s major field of study. SHSU students who have accumulated more than 60 hours may be blocked from enrolling in upper division courses until they have completed their math, English composition, and 4 to 8 hours of lab science.

In general, the Bachelor of Arts degree requires 8 hours of lab science and the Bachelor of Science degree requires 16 hours of lab science. Many majors require specific math and science courses from the core to apply for graduation. Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts degree should consult their major department web page or catalogue for foreign language requirements. Many colleges including Business and Education have additional prerequisites for registration in upper-level (junior/senior) classes including GPA restrictions and completion of lower-level (freshman/sophomore) course work.
Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major. Selection of major-specified core courses reduces the total number of hours required for graduation.

In general it is not to the advantage of transfer students to simply take courses that transfer. The most desirable goal is typically to only select courses from the core and major lower-level (first two university years) which not only transfer but satisfy degree requirements for graduation in the major to which you aspire.

Students are encouraged to select the university catalog offering them the most advantages with respect to degree completion. The respective university and/or college catalog selected for graduation determines final degree requirements.