Getting a Major or Minor in Sociology
What is sociology?
Sociology is the study of social life, including individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, and societies. Sociologists investigate the social causes and consequences of human behavior and interaction, such as inequality, poverty, discrimination, and urbanization. Sociologists are curious about what is going on in the social world and more importantly, why and how this matters for societies. We offer a major, with four optional concentrations, and a minor.
Students majoring and minoring in Sociology develop the following competencies/skills:
- Strong background in sociological theories
- Ability to apply sociological theories to understand social phenomena
- Knowledge and application of research methods to understand the social world
- Evaluation of quality of social scientific data
- Ability to analyze social scientific data
- Knowledge and use of statistical techniques and software
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to use sociological knowledge to inform policy debates and promote public understanding
What can I do with a degree in sociology? Heading link
Majoring in sociology will prepare you for a career in such fields as social work, public health, education, law, medicine, management, urban and environmental planning, journalism, corrections, and other service professions. Majoring in sociology can also prepare you to undertake graduate studies in sociology and other social sciences and interdisciplinary fields.
See what our recent alumni are up to now.
To learn more about the possibilities available with a sociology degree, check out our interviews with UIC Sociology alumni.
Degree Requirements Heading link
Major requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Sociology degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
The Sociology major is composed of a set of six core requirements; three 200-level Sociology electives, and two 400-level Sociology electives.
The six core requirements are:
- SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs) or SOC 105 Social Problems (3 hrs)
- SOC 201 Introduction to Statistics (4 hrs)
- SOC 290: Sociology Major Orientation and Success (2 hrs)
- SOC 300 Introduction to Sociological Research Methods (4 hrs)
- SOC 385 Introduction to Sociological Theory (3 hrs) – SOC 385 Fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline Requirements
- SOC 490 Senior Research Experience (4 hrs)
Minor requirements
Students from other disciplines who want to minor in Sociology must complete 15 semester hours as outlined below.
Requirements:
- SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs) or SOC 105 Social Problems (3 hrs)
- Three courses at the 200 or 300 level
- One 400 level course
Concentration in Sociology for Social Work
Social workers often help connect individuals with social services; a background in sociology can help them understand the circumstances and context which lead to a need for these services. This concentration prepares students for future training in social work and related professions, such as counseling and education.
Concentration in Health & Medicine
Medical and public health professionals can benefit from the sociological take on health and medicine, which uses sociological theory and research methodologies to evaluate questions related to health and the health care system, particularly regarding the relationship between health and social factors.
Concentration in Professions, Organizations & Work
A sociological take on work and organizations differs significantly from the approach taken in management or business-related majors, particularly regarding questions of inequality. This concentration prepares students for future training in law or other professions, or management jobs in nonprofit and for-profit companies.
Concentration in Data & Analytics
This concentration focuses explicitly on the way that data affects society, and the ways that social scientists use and analyze data. A sociological take on data analysis provides students with an understanding of the contexts and people that generate big data, and how data analytics affects them.
Distinction
To be considered for distinction, students must obtain a 3.00/4.00 overall GPA, plus the following:
- 3.50/4.00 GPA in the major for distinction;
- 3.75/4.00 GPA in the major for high distinction;
- 3.75/4.00 GPA in the major, satisfactory completion of SOC 499 (Thesis Research), and completion of a senior thesis for highest distinction signed by a faculty advisor and filed in the department.
Note: The GPA will be calculated using all of the credit that are being applied to the degree – from UIC and from any transfer institution.
Declaring your Major/Minor in Sociology Heading link
In order to officially declare a major or minor, you need to visit the LAS Advising Center and complete the declaration form. LAS will then process this form. The change/addition may take up to two semesters to finalize. During the processing period, you may enroll in Major Restricted courses. In order to gain permission to enter these courses, you will need to speak to Rachele Gartland, the Sociology Undergraduate Advisor.
More information on undergraduate advising for sociology majors and minors is available here.