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

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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

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)