Sociology is the study of human society and how individuals and groups shape and are shaped by it. A sociology major will take courses in psychology, economics, criminal law, ethics, research methodology, and mathematics, among other subjects. A sociology major may choose to focus on a specific aspect of sociology after two years of general studies, such as criminal law or public administration.
A sociology major is usually required to take a number of foundation classes that provide a broad overview of the various branches of sociology. Theories of society, research methodology, and quantitative analysis are some of the topics covered in these classes. Students can expect to learn statistics and how to interpret data in sociology because it is a research-intensive field. For both classroom and field work, a strong emphasis on research protocols will almost certainly be placed.
A sociology major is usually required to take several psychology classes. Sexuality, gender differences and bias, and deviancy are all popular topics. Many sociology students decide to pursue a career in counseling and will enroll in numerous psychology courses. A master’s degree in sociology may be pursued by a sociology major interested in a career in counseling.
Sociology majors frequently pursue criminal law as a concentration. Many people who want to work in law enforcement have sociology degrees. Law enforcement agent, probation officer, correctional officer, and public defender are some of the common jobs available to sociology majors. As a result, courses in public administration, punishment, ethics, and the criminal justice system may be offered.
Many public administrators with degrees in sociology work in various capacities for government agencies. They’ll have studied urban planning, race relations, economics, immigration, and poverty and wealth distribution. Environmental issues related to society and governance are becoming more common among those seeking a career in public administration.
Teaching is another popular career path for sociology graduates. Secondary school teachers who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sociology are frequently hired to teach topics such as social studies or geography. Sociology majors are qualified to teach a wide range of subjects at the elementary and secondary levels due to their broad course of study.
Many sociology majors are interested in university-level research and teaching. To teach at the university level, a doctoral degree in philosophy (Ph.D.) is usually required, which can take up to eight years to complete. In addition to teaching, university professors usually conduct research in their fields, and sociology majors have a strong background in research methods and data analysis.