Sociology Majors
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology at the University of Northern Iowa offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. The sociology B.A. requires 33 hours of major course work, 42 hours of electives and 45 hours of Liberal Arts Core courses (includes three hours double-counted in the major) for a total of 120 hours. Click on the links below for more details. The sociology minor requires 21 hours of course work, and each certificate requires 15 hours of course work.
Majors:
Sociology, B.A.
Minors:
Sociology, B.A.
Certificate Programs:
Certificate in Social Identities, Inequalities, and Intersectionalities
Skills in Social Research Certificate
(Click major/minor/certificate title to see typical courses for the program)
Sociology is the scientific study of human societies and social interaction. Sociologists study how people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by broader social structures and processes, such as labor markets, government policies, family relationships, culture, and socialization. These structures and processes are characterized by patterns of social inequality, as illustrated by gender differences in wages, ethnic differences in educational opportunities, and socioeconomic class differences in socialization experiences. In turn, sociologists focus on patterns of inequality and how these patterns shape people’s outlooks, behaviors, and everyday interactions.
Common minors and certificates pursued
It is common for our students to complete a minor in anthropology, criminology, psychology, history, women’s and gender studies, or another social or behavioral science. We also encourage our students to consider earning a Social Identities, Inequalities, and Intersectionalities certificate in one of four specialty areas (see above).
A bachelor’s degree in sociology provides graduates with a set of skills in high demand by many of today’s employers. These include: design and implementation of research projects; qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis; written and oral communication; awareness and understanding of diversity from local to global; research and program evaluation; and application of theory to help alleviate social problems. Common career opportunities for the sociology B.A. graduate include but are not limited to: social services, community development, corrections, marketing and advertising, university admissions, educational counseling, human resources, health services, public relations, government agencies, and teaching (with required certifications).
- Diverse courses that complement interdisciplinary activities
- Supportive faculty mentorship and individualized student attention
- High-quality faculty with extensive teaching, research, and workplace experience
- Opportunities for student teaching and service internships
- Student-centered learning environment
- Opportunities for hands-on research experience and conference presentations
- Intensive preparation for graduate work
A variety of scholarships are available through the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Additional information on funding and scholarships can found at Financial Aid.