Requirements
Major in Sociology
Planning to major in sociology? First, consult our director of undergraduate studies as early as possible for initial advisement on the major and to be assigned a faculty advisor. After that, you will visit your faculty advisor each semester until all major requirements have been completed.
The major requires 36 hours of course work and six courses are required: Introductory Sociology (SOC 108), Sociological Theory (SOC 301), Statistics (SOC 308), and Research Methods (SOC 312), as well as three additional 400 level courses in sociology, approved by your advisor. To graduate with a major in sociology you must also meet all the University Core Curriculum requirements and the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts.
Download Sociology Undergraduate Catalog information in PDF form here »
Minor in Sociology
A minor in sociology is a valuable tool to understand our social world as well as add to any current major. Our minor consists of a minimum of 15 hours, including Introductory Sociology (SOC 108) and at least three more 300- or 400-level sociology courses at SIU Carbondale. Just remember, no more than six hours of Sociology Core Curriculum courses, including Sociology 108, may count toward both the University Core Curriculum requirements and the sociology minor.
Minor in Social Justice
The Social Justice Minor is an interdisciplinary degree designed to help students better understand the causes and consequences of unjust social arrangements, the ideas and forces that undergird them, and how social injustices can be changed. Accordingly, the minor compliments a wide variety of majors offered through the College of Liberal Arts, from traditional disciplines such as History, Sociology and Philosophy to interdisciplinary majors such as Africana Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The minor will support and encourage the study of activism and advocacy for social justice, and will be especially important for students who anticipate working in advocacy roles in nonprofit organizations, in local communities, or in governmental organizations, as well as careers in fields such as education, social services, law, health services, publishing, or emerging areas of research.
A minor in Social Justice requires the successful completion of at least 15 semester hours of coursework. All students in the minor will take Contemporary Social Problems (SOC 302), and at least three or more select 300- or 400-level courses, all passed with a grade of C or better.
Honors Program
The program offers an honors program for academically outstanding sociology majors. Qualifications for acceptance into this program are: (1) an overall grade point average of at least 3.00; and (1) completion of 8 hours in sociology courses with a grade point average of at least 3.25 in all sociology courses taken at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the completion of no fewer than six, nor more than fourteen, semester hours in research or independent study which are counted toward the major. Successful completion of the program's honors program is noted on your academic record and on your diploma. For details, qualified students interested in this program should consult our director of undergraduate studies.
Internships in Sociology
Internships are open to sociology majors with junior standing and a GPA of 2.5 or above. They are intended to give students practical and sociologically relevant work experience, allowing them to try out a field in which they might wish to work upon graduation. Internships require a minimum of 120 hours of unpaid work with an organization or business approved by the Internship Coordinator. Students are asked to keep journals of their sociologically-relevant experiences with the organization; make presentations about their experiences to sociology classes; and write a paper that integrates their experience with their coursework. Interns have worked for a State Senator, the Carbondale Women’s Center, the Illinois Education Association, the First Circuit Court’s Probation Department, Catholic Family Services, and the Illinois Department of Corrections, among others.
Careers
Sociology offers valuable skills in a variety of fields, including management, public relations, data analysis, and interpersonal communications. Do you have questions about careers in Sociology? We’re here to help. Consult your undergraduate advisor, or make an appointment with a Sociology Faculty member.
Graduate School
Our students attend prestigious graduate schools across the country, including Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Purdue University, and some even make the choice to stay at SIU Carbondale! Do you have questions about preparing and applying to graduate school? We’re here to help. Consult your undergraduate advisor, or make an appointment with a Sociology faculty member.
Transfer Students
Credits for some sociology courses taken at community colleges are transferable. Students should have their sociology credits evaluated by our director of undergraduate studies at the earliest opportunity. Remember, at least 20 hours of sociology credit must be earned at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the two 400-level courses must be taken at a senior level institution and Sociology 497 or 498 must be taken at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Academic Advising
Academic advising is done by the College of Liberal Arts. Schedule an appointment for academic advising about the requirements for the Sociology major, minor and general requirements.