Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Sociology (BS) - Families and Intimate Relationships

About

Sociologists observe, describe, explain and predict human social behavior. The Sociology (BS) - Families and Intimate Relationships degree in Appalachian State University’s Department of Sociology focuses on family as a primary institution in our lives — affecting well-being, socialization, the transmission of rights and obligations, and the conferral of advantages and disadvantages.

Students in this concentration will explore a range of family experiences in order to understand the causes and consequences of social, political and economic change for family life and how these changes impact the status of contemporary families.

In this degree, students will learn effective writing and communication skills and practical application of theory. These skills are useful in a range of jobs, such as business, teaching and government.

After Graduation

Employment: Students are prepared for entry-level jobs in child advocacy, family planning, conflict resolution, work with at-risk youth and families, and child development programs. Graduates often work for the Department of Social Services, Public Health and other family-assistance non-profit programs.

Graduate School: Some graduates of this concentration go into graduate programs in sociology, counseling, family law, demography, health care, political science, criminal justice and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Student Profile: Tatum Schwartz
    Student Profile: Tatum Schwartz

    Tatum Schwartz decided to major in sociology after taking an introductory course. She counts the Department of Sociology’s inspiring faculty and service-learning and undergraduate research opportunities among her most meaningful experiences.

  • Alumna Profile: Emily Hatem ’19
    Alumna Profile: Emily Hatem ’19

    Emily Hatem ’19 started her career with AmeriCorps and will soon head to graduate school with important lessons learned — including how to work with young people and how to stay flexible and adaptable.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Ellen Lamont
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Ellen Lamont

    “A better understanding of our social world enables students to move beyond individualistic interpretations of behavior to a more empathetic outlook that emphasizes how social, political and economic processes impact the well-being of families.”

    – Dr. Ellen Lamont, assistant professor of sociology

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Sociology (BA)
  • Sociology (BS) - Applied Research Methods
  • Sociology (BS) - Criminology
  • Sociology (BS) – Sociology of Health and Aging
  • Sociology (BS) - Individually Designed
  • Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

Minors

A minor is not required. Suggested minors include:

  • Child Development
  • Communication
  • Criminal Justice
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
  • Girls’ Studies
  • Health and Aging
  • Human Resource Management
  • LGBT Studies
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Social Work
  • Statistics

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Sociology Club - a student-led organization devoted to service learning, fundraising and hosting events for the betterment of students inspired by the discipline of sociology.

Alpha Kappa Delta - an international sociology honors society, formed with the intent to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition.

The North Carolina Sociological Association - open to all practicing sociologists (whether in academic, government or applied settings) as well as to sociology students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Southern Sociological Society - open to all sociology students and professionals across the southern United States.

American Sociological Association - a national organization dedicated to sociology and its pursuit of investigating human behavior, social interaction and social structures.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Department of Sociology faculty lead summer study abroad opportunities. Past program titles have included Studying War in Europe, and Religious and Ethnic Conflict in Ireland and Spain.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University. In order to maintain progress in this degree, students must receive a grade of C (2.0) or higher in the following required classes:

  • SOC 1000 - The Sociological Perspective (3) *
  • SOC 3885 - Research Methods (3) [WID] *
  • SOC 3895 - Social Statistics and Data Analysis (3) *
  • SOC 3950 - Classical Sociological Theory (3) *

  • SOC 3960 - Contemporary Sociological Theory (3) [WID] *
  • SOC 4390 - Applied Sociology Seminar (3) *
  • SOC 4450 - Senior Capstone (3) [CAP] *
  • SOC 4900 - Internship (3-6)
apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • Sociology majors have the option to work with a faculty mentor who can provide professional advice, intellectual development in terms of a specific substantive area in sociology, and involvement in research projects. Learn about faculty research specialties here.
  • Students are encouraged to assist with faculty research projects and can stay up-to-date on current research projects via the department’s web page for research opportunities.
  • The department offers scholarships.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Adoption Agent
  • Aging Specialist
  • Child Welfare Officer
  • Community Relations Director
  • Community Service Agency Worker
  • Counselor
  • Family Services Specialist
  • Financial Aid Counselor
  • Foster Care Worker
  • Fundraiser/Development Officer
  • Reproductive Health and Family Planning Counselor
  • Population Specialist
  • Public Health Educator
  • School Counselor
  • Sexual Health Educator
  • Social Worker

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Sociology

Dr. Cameron Lippard
Chair
lippardcd@appstate.edu
828-262-6396

  • Department of Sociology

    The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts and six Bachelor of Science concentrations (applied research methods; criminology; deviance and law; families and intimate relationships; gerontology; social inequalities; and individually designed, which requires departmental approval). The department also offers minors in sociology and gerontology, plus two online graduate certificates in gerontology and sociology. Learn more at https://soc.appstate.edu.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback