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Sociology (BS) - Individually Designed

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 diverse populations, public health, AmeriCorps and social work. Students have also started businesses with this degree in which they provide services and products to underserved populations and venues.

Graduate School: Those students pursuing graduate school have pursued degrees across a spectrum of disciplines including anthropology, business, education, political science, psychology, public health or social work.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Alumna Profile: Kit Gruelle ’12
    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

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) - Families and Intimate Relationships
  • Sociology (BS) – Sociology of Health and Aging
  • Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

Minors

Students may wish to pursue a dual major or add a minor depending on relevant coursework. This can be determined by the faculty advisor or the undergraduate programs director when they work with the student to design their specific program of study.

View all majors

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 (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)

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.

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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 of Sociology offers scholarships.
  • The department encourages students to participate in internships and maintains relationships with community organizations in order to help students find appropriate host sites.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

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

Careers

Students who complete this degree enter career fields specific to their individually designed curriculum, which is developed by the student in consultation with their advisor and undergraduate programs director and is approved the department faculty.

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.

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