SOC_BA - Sociology

About this Program

• College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Degree: Bachelor of Arts
• Credits for Degree: 120

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

The Sociology major offers broad theoretical perspectives and rigorous methodologies to study social life and to analyze the causes and consequences of human behavior. In particular, sociologists examine how race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, ability, geography, and other identities are used to create and maintain barriers to access, participation, opportunity, and outcome across all social institutions. The department’s faculty teach and conduct research on social justice and systemic inequalities; health disparities in physical and mental wellbeing; aging and the life course; environmental justice and natural resource management; deviance, social control, and conflict management; gender, families, and sexualities; social and political movements; nationalism, migration, and ethnic conflict; and culture, technology, and media. Students examine the most pressing social problems in these areas, as well as how different social groups experience and perceive these issues.

Students are encouraged to listen to these interviews on the department’s website from three recent sociology graduates. Their testimonials describe the varied opportunities in the major and the different career and professional paths they and other sociology majors embark on post-graduation.
More Info

Requirements for the Major

Sociology majors are required to complete 32 credits of coursework in sociology and 3 credits of statistics for a total of 35 credits. All courses must be completed with minimum grades of C. At least 23 credits of sociology must be in courses numbered 3000 or higher. At least 18 credits must be completed at UF.

To graduate, students must also pass a department exam covering fundamental sociological concepts developed by the sociology faculty and administered online.

Required Major Coursework

¹

These courses are the basis for meeting the Student Learning Outcomes in the major’s Academic Learning Compact and therefore it is expected that they be taken at UF.

²

STA 2023 is a prerequisite for SYA 4300.

³

Students select additional sociology courses to complete the 32-credit minimum by matching interests in different substantive areas.

Students select additional sociology courses to complete the 32-credit minimum by matching interests in different substantive areas.

Majors can only apply two other 2000-level courses besides SYG 2000, for a maximum of nine credits at the 2000 level. There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses.

Course Details

All majors should review the department's guidelines or visit the Sociology Undergraduate Coordinator for information about the major, the plan of study worksheet, descriptions of current and prospective courses, opportunities for internships or individual work, and other information.

OverseAS STUDIES

Majors are encouraged to seek out opportunities for international study, during the summer or academic year. The credit generally will be applied toward the major and the degree. Contact the undergraduate coordinator about credit for study abroad. Visit the UF International Center in room 170 of the Hub for more information.

Relevant Majors, Minors, and Certificates

With approximately 800 majors and minors in both Residential and UF Online degree programs, Sociology is one of the largest undergraduate programs at UF. Many majors pursue dual degrees, double majors, minors, and certificates in related disciplines, including Psychology, Criminology and Law, Political Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Anthropology, Sustainability, History, Gender, Sexualities and Women’s Studies, Latin American Studies, African American Studies, Non-Profit Organizational Leadership, Advertising, Marketing, and various foreign languages.

Experiential Learning and Career Readiness

Sociology majors participate in community internships, collaborate on faculty projects, and conduct research independently on senior thesis projects. These experiential learning opportunities prepare graduates to embark upon a wide range of career paths including those in public health, government, research, teaching, and community affairs. Sociology graduates pursue careers in law, medicine, counseling or social work, and business. Others work as public policy analysts researching issues related to health and aging; social justice, environmental sustainability, and resource management; urban and community development; crime and delinquency; families and communities; and racial, ethnic, and international relations. Many seek advanced degrees in sociology, psychology, counseling, law, and business.

Combination Degrees

The Department of Sociology and Criminology offers a combination BA/MA degree to eligible undergraduate students. Please see the graduate coordinator for more information regarding this degree option. Sociology majors may also consider various combination degrees with other departments and colleges. For example, a Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in management is offered through the Warrington College of Business to eligible students who have majored in sociology. Please see the undergraduate coordinator for more information about such degree options.

Research

The department encourages students to engage in the research process, either by conducting their own projects in collaboration with a sociology faculty member or by working with sociology faculty on their current research. These opportunities may be pursued by conducting a senior honors thesis or registering for SYA 4911 Undergraduate Research credit. Please see the undergraduate coordinator for more information and eligibility requirements.