About

Appalachian State University’s Sociology (BS) - Individually Designed degree provides an opportunity to develop a program of study utilizing sociology and its understanding of various human behaviors, social institutions and social problems. The Department of Sociology will work closely with you to develop a curriculum that applies sociological theory and helps develop critical thinking, research and communication skills.

Sociologists observe, describe, explain and predict human social behavior. With this degree’s focus on a specific topic identified and approved in collaboration with sociology faculty, you will be prepared for a range of occupations working within a variety of private and public settings. This includes but is not limited to the criminal justice system, public research, public healthcare systems and entrepreneurial endeavors. This is beneficial in a field where sociologists often create written and oral reports for clients, negotiate contracts and work with a variety of people.

This concentration is also a strong preparation for graduate school where social science research skills are highly emphasized.

After Graduation

Employment: Students have found employment in non-profit organizations working with domestic violence, the homeless and restorative justice efforts within the criminal justice system. Students have also started businesses with this degree in which they have provided services and products to underserved populations and venues.

Graduate School: Those students pursuing graduate school have pursued degrees across a spectrum of disciplines including political science, business and public health.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Alumna Profile: Kit Gruelle ’12

  “The sociology professors were incredibly supportive of me…They valued my life experience in very respectful ways.”

  – Kit Gruelle ’12, professional advocate for battered women who returned to school as a non-traditionally aged student

Related Programs

• Sociology (BA)
• Sociology (BS) - Applied Research Methods
• Sociology (BS) - Criminology, Deviance and Law
• Sociology (BS) - Families and Intimate Relationships
• Sociology (BS) – Sociology of Health and Aging
• Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

Minors

A minor is not required. However, some students choose to add a minor in statistics because it complements their concentration requirements.

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

The Department of Sociology has specific guidelines for proposing this concentration.

1. A student may come from the general college or be a current or transfer student. General College or transfer students will work with the Undergraduate Program Director or their department advisor to develop a proposed program of study.

2. The student must develop the proposal with the following components:

• A title for the concentration
• A rationale for the concentration – why this should be a sociology degree, the student’s career goals and why his/her goal can only be met through this concentration.
• A list of 10 courses which would make up the concentration including a sentence for the rationale for each course. These courses must come from a variety of departments in order to be interdisciplinary.

3. Student proposals in this concentration must include the following courses and receive a grade of C or higher for each listed:

• SOC 1000 The Sociological Perspective
• SOC 3885 Research Methods I
• SOC 3895 Research Methods II
• SOC 3950 Sociological Theory I
• SOC 3960 Sociological Theory II
• SOC 4450 Senior Seminar

4. The undergraduate program director will review the proposal and will refer it to the department curriculum committee for review.

5. The undergraduate Program Director will confer with the student based on curriculum committee recommendations, if necessary. The Undergraduate Program Director or department advisor will complete the necessary paperwork and submit it to the College of Arts and Sciences.