BA in Sociology
Degree Program Description
Sociologists systematically investigate the causes of social problems and how people make meaning collectively using both quantitative (statistical) and qualitative techniques. Sociologists are curious about the hows and whys of human social life. Sociological perspectives and methods have many applications: in non-profit organizations, marketing departments, criminal justice organizations, public health agencies, and many other academic disciplines. Sociological knowledge helps businesses, policy makers, and the public navigate the complex social and cultural structures that shape everyday life.
A Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology consists of 30 credits including introductory courses, the fundamentals of research and theory, and more in-depth coursework that leads to a capstone experience. The capstone, taken during the senior year, allows students to choose between a professional internship, a research oriented course, or an honor's thesis if they qualify.
Sociology at Mizzou offers students the opportunity for in-depth study of some of the big questions and problems of the 21st century: culture and identities, justice, social inequalities, and health and environment. Sociologists are involved in analyzing some of the most critical issues of the contemporary world: class, race and gender oppression, sex and gender diversity, and global issues like health disparities and climate change. Sociologists empirically study these issues not simply to understand them, but to help create a more just society through the production of evidence-based knowledge. Sociology majors gain key skills necessary for today’s careers, including critical thinking, global/intercultural fluency, teamwork, and oral and written communication. Sociology majors also build cultural literacy that helps them understand current events and their own place in history.
Major Program Requirements
A Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology consists of 30 credits organized to provide progressively more sophisticated levels of sociological analysis culminating in a capstone course. It is expected that students start with entry courses, progress to basic courses and then to upper-level electives.
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
| Major core requirements | ||
| Entry courses | ||
| SOCIOL 1000 | Introduction to Sociology (Recommended) | 3 |
| SOCIOL 2200 | Social Inequalities | 3 |
| Basic courses | ||
| SOCIOL 3100 | Recent Theories in Sociology (prerequisite: SOCIOL 2200) | 3 |
| SOCIOL 3950 | Social Research | 3 |
| Post-basic courses | ||
| Three additional sociology courses numbered 3000 or above; may include no more than 3 credits in SOCIOL 4940 or SOCIOL 4960 | 9 | |
| Additional hours in sociology | 6 | |
| An additional 6 credits in elective coursework in the major | ||
| Capstone course | ||
| A choice between a 4000 Level Course (3 hours), Internship in Sociology (SOCIOL 4940) or an Honors Thesis (see Departmental Honors below). The capstone should be taken in the last two semesters of undergraduate work. | ||
| Departmental honors | ||
| SOCIOL 4995 | Honors in Sociology (1st semester of senior year) | 3 |
| SOCIOL 4995 | Honors in Sociology (2nd semester of senior year) | 3 |
| Students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 are eligible for departmental honors in sociology. Qualified students who seek this option must write an honors thesis under the supervision of a sociology faculty member. Students enroll in SOCIOL 4995 for 3 credits each semester of the senior year. | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Accelerated BA in Sociology to MPA in Public Affairs
This accelerated program provides students the opportunity to earn both the BA and MPA within five years, rather than six years if pursued consecutively.
Students in this accelerated program will complete three years at the undergraduate level within the Sociology program. During the fourth year, students complete up to fifteen credits at the graduate level which will count as dual credit toward the BA and the MPA. Following this year, the BA is conferred, and students are admitted fully to the MPA program to complete the remaining courses for the MPA degree.
| MPA Core Courses | ||
| PUB_AF 8110 | Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8170 | Public Policy Processes and Strategies | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8180 | Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs I | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8181 | Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs II | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8210 | Public Service and Democracy | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8280 | Public Affairs Internship | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8211 | MPA Capstone (Applied Project) | 3 |
| Elective and Specialization Courses - 15 credit hours | ||
| Courses in Public and Nonprofit Management | ||
| PUB_AF 7340 | Regional and Economic Development Policy | 3 |
| PUB_AF 7540 | Local Government Management | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8150 | Collaborative Governance | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8160 | Organizational Dynamics and Leadership | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8510 | Public Budgeting and Taxation | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8530 | Strategic Management of Public Service Organizations: People, Information and Money | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8720 | Budgeting and Financial Management in the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
| Course in Public Policy | ||
| PUB_AF 7340 | Regional and Economic Development Policy | 3 |
| PUB_AF 7175 | Early Childhood Policy | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8171 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8190 | Economic Analysis for Public Affairs | 3 |
| PUB_AF 8420 | Public Program Evaluation | 3 |
An elective could be taken during the summer between the 4th and 5th year along with PUB_AF 8280 (internship) or added to the fifth year fall or spring term.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOCIOL 1000 | 3 | SOCIOL 2200 | 3 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1100, 1050, or STAT 1200 | 3 |
| Social Science Elective (Missouri State Law Requirement) | 3 | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Science Elective | 3 | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Humanities elective | 3 | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOCIOL 1650 | 3 | SOCIOL 3600 | 3 |
| Second language I | 4 | SOCIOL 3950 | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | Second language II | 4 |
| Social Science Elective (upper level) | 3 | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (upper level) | 3 | Second major/minor/elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOCIOL 3200 | 3 | SOCIOL 3100 | 3 |
| Second language III | 4 | Science elective course | 3 |
| Second major/minor/elective course | 6 | Second major/minor/elective courses - upper level | 3 |
| Science elective course with lab | 5 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOCIOL 3330 | 3 | SOCIOL 4545 | 3 |
| Second major/minor/elective courses - upper level | 13 | SOCIOL 4220 | 3 |
| Second major/minor/elective courses | 9 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.