Undergraduate Programs
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As a Sociology major at ECU, you will study social life and social change in a variety of settings. Sociologists explore the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and people’s interactions in these contexts. The subject matter of Sociology includes, but is not limited to, families, work settings, sports, the law and criminal justice system, medicine, economics, politics, and the dimensions of race, gender, sexuality, social class, and aging.
B.A. in Sociology
If you wish to develop a broad liberal arts perspective on social interaction, groups, and the consequences for individuals, then the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree at ECU is designed for you.
Sociological insights and skills are applicable to every job setting and to all of the major problems we encounter in society.
Sociological theories and research skills are eminently useful in our diverse, data-driven, contemporary world.
Course Requirements for the B.A.
B.A. students choose a minor in another discipline and take a foreign language of their choice. For degree requirements, including course descriptions, see the ECU Undergraduate Catalog.
Your advisor can help you pair the ideal minor, including an interdisciplinary minor. Students interested in a medical school can craft a minor that includes all the course entrance requirements for medical school, dental school, or a physicians’ assistant degree.
If you would like further information regarding the B.A. program, please e-mail Undergraduate Sociology.
B.S. Applied Sociology
If you are pursuing a career path that requires a strong background in oral and written communication skills, critical reasoning, and computer applications, we recommend the B.S. in Sociology.
In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the major, you will choose either a minor from another department or one of the following career path concentrations:
- Applied Social Research
Gain skills in collecting and analyzing social data, including related computer applications. This concentration is recommended for students interested in social policy analysis, program evaluation, institutional research, social environmental assessment, health research, and market research. - Social Diversity
Develop greater awareness and appreciation of social differences including class, race and ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation, at domestic and global levels. This concentration is recommended for students interested in social inequality, intergroup relations and conflict, and programs and policies addressing these issues. - Marriage & Family
Analyze and understand social trends, issues, and challenges involving families. Students interested in working with programs that serve the needs of children, adolescents, couples, families, and the elderly are encouraged to pursue this concentration. - Law and Society
Develop a strong background for the legal profession and the creation and application of law. Students preparing for law school or for careers involving knowledge of the law and the criminal justice system are encouraged to pursue this area of study.
Sociology Major Requirements for the B.S.
For degree requirements, including course descriptions, see the ECU Undergraduate Catalog.
If you would like further information regarding the B.S. Program, please e-mail Undergraduate Sociology.
Sociology Minor
The Sociology minor can be combined with virtually any major the University offers. The minor exposes students to core concepts in Sociology but also allows enormous flexibility in choosing additional Sociology coursework so that the student may design the minor around their own interests.
For example, in addition to other options, if your major is:
- Business Administration
You might choose to take SOCI 3500 (Economy and Society); - Psychology
You might choose SOCI 3234 (The Individual in Society) and/or SOCI 3325 (Sociology of Human Sexuality); - Criminal Justice
You might choose to take SOCI 3220 (Sociology of Deviant Behavior) and/or SOCI 4330 (Criminology); or - Premed, in Allied Health professions, or Nursing
You might choose to take SOCI 3100 (Sociology of Aging) and/or SOCI 3327 (Introductory Medical Sociology).
Sociology Minor Requirements
For requirements, including course descriptions, see the ECU Undergraduate Catalog.
If you would like further information regarding the Sociology minor, please contact the Sociology minor advisor, Dr. Bob Edwards.
Sociology Honors
The sociology honors program allows outstanding sociology majors who wish additional challenge and recognition in pursuing scholarly or service work in an area of sociology. Students enroll in SOCI 4550, SOCI 4551Â in consecutive semesters. To qualify for the program, you must be a senior, have the approval of the Chair, and have a minimum cumulative and major 3.5 GPA. For more information, please see the ECU Undergraduate Catalog.
Internship Program
SOCI 4950: Practicum in Sociology allows you to earn credit for 140 hours of internship work with a community agency.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must be Sociology majors who have completed at least 15 semester units in Sociology and have a GPA of 2.5. All internships must be approved by the Internship Coordinator, the Undergraduate Director, and the Chair of the Department of Sociology.
Course Requirements for the Practicum
Students must complete a total of 140 hours, which averages 10 hours per week (not including Spring Break), complete all written assignments, attend all class meetings (4 per semester), and write a final paper.
If you would like further information regarding the B.A. or B.S. programs, please contact the undergraduate program director, Dr. Melinda Kane.