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The mission of the Sociology program is to offer a vigorous and exciting broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on cultural, global, and political dynamics. The program provides a combination of theoretical, scientific, practical, and experiential approaches to understanding and solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture, as well as hands-on learning, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Our goal is to graduate students with marketable skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of public and social services and/or for graduate study in related areas.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology provides students with a broad-based exposure to theories and methods, as well as a wide range of current social issues. Students receive extensive experiential learning opportunities as well. These academic and experiential foundations prepare the student for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. Our graduates have chosen to continue their education in various fields including sociology, social work, law, economics, environmental studies, and public health. Graduates have also preferred to work directly with at-risk youth, family services, the criminal justice system, as well as many other areas of social and public service.

In addition to the traditional foundations of sociology, there are two (2) unique elements to this program. First, students complete a one-hundred and twenty (120)-hour internship. This helps students to: engage in experiential learning, apply sociology to the real world, undertake career explorations. Second, upper-level students participate in a semester-long applied sociological experience. One (1) option is an internship with a minimum of three-hundred and sixty (360) hours of engagement to be selected from a variety of area schools, agencies, and programs. A second option is for a student to study abroad. While studying in a foreign society and culture is important in and of itself, the primary focus of this experience is for students to take courses and engage experientially in a way that helps students develop their areas of interest. Therefore, there needs to be an integrated social science experience that drives the study abroad learning as well as the opportunity to explore a new society and culture for this to be a successful experience, and approval of the program is required.

Overall, this program provides students with a strong foundation for understanding today's social issues and problems and the ability to seek solutions. Students will also have a wide range of skills, experiences, and references that will enhance their future educational and career opportunities as well as enable them to be more active and aware citizens.