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Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

About

Sociologists observe, describe, explain and predict human social behavior. The Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities degree at Appalachian State University examines how differences in dimensions such as gender, race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality, age and nationality may lead to unequal outcomes in terms of power, status and income. Not only are the causes and consequences of various social inequalities and social stratification systems examined, but so are the policies and practices designed to address inequality.

In this program, you will learn to understand human diversity for positions in personnel and human resource management, social service or government agencies, and employment with non-profit and community organizations. This program develops strong written and oral communication skills and serves as excellent preparation for graduate school in sociology or related fields.

After Graduation

Employment:  Graduates often enter into government or non-profit organizations working with a variety of people and situations. Some graduates have also started for-profit businesses with a socially conscious mission such as clothing stores and coffee shops that sell only fair-trade products. 

Graduate School: Most graduates graduates with this degree often pursue graduate education in sociology, criminal justice/law, political science, education, anthropology, psychology, social work, geography and planning, or student development.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Student Profile: Sarah Caudill
    Student Profile: Sarah Caudill

    Sarah Caudill interned with the U.S. Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship in summer 2019. The opportunity allowed her to test her sociological skills, gain more insight into national issues and expand social networks, she said.

  • Alumna Profile: Jessica Pittman Dale ’11
    Alumna Profile: Jessica Pittman Dale ’11

    Even before she graduated, Dale was serving her local community by tackling issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence — such as finding ways to educate community members to prevent and reduce its occurrences.

  • Alumnus Profile: Omar Carter ’14
    Alumnus Profile: Omar Carter ’14

    Omar Carter works for a behavioral health company and has started his own foundation to increase awareness of athletes’ cardiovascular health – including the training of athletes and families in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Cameron Lippard ’98
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Cameron Lippard ’98

    “I think it is essential to conduct research with students since it is a way to mentor students in this delicate process.”

    – Dr. Cameron Lippard, professor of sociology and Appalachian alumnus

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) - Individually Designed

Minors

A minor is optional. Suggested minors include:

  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
  • Girls’ Studies
  • LGBT Studies
  • Community and Regional Planning
  • Psychology
  • Social Work

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)
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Why Appalachian?

  • Appalachian offers a minor in non-profit management that many students choose to pursue in conjunction with this degree.  
  • Students are required to complete an internship. Many students choose to intern with local organizations that the Department of Sociology maintains relationships with.
  • 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.

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
  • AmeriCorps VISTA Worker
  • Community Organizer
  • Community Relations Director
  • Community Service Agency Worker
  • Family Guidance Clinic Worker
  • Financial Aid Counselor
  • Foster Care Worker
  • Fundraiser/Development Officer
  • Non-Profit Director
  • Political Researcher
  • Population Specialist
  • Public Administrator
  • Social Movement Organizer
  • Social Worker
  • Urban Planner

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

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