Sociology Degrees

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of human social behavior. It's developing an understanding of social framework and its unique influence on the way people act and behave, group structures, group processes and social changes.

What type of career can I look forward to with a Sociology major?

Depending on the track they select, Sociology degree prepare students for careers in:

Police/Probation Officers/ FBI
Case Management/Human Services Workers
Family-Consumer Advocates
Community Planners
Research Assistants
Claims Investigators

What makes Walsh's Sociology major unique?

Specialized Focus. Walsh's Sociology major emphasizes core skills and knowledge in patterns of human behavior. Students can choose one of three career-oriented paths that are built upon these skills and focus on particular areas of social problems:
- Applied Family Studies
- Applied Criminology/Criminal Justice
- Applied Research Methods and Data Analysis
Experiential Opportunities. Sociology majors gain hands-on experience in their senior year through either an internship or original research project.
Understanding Social Issues. We offer courses that study social problems such as criminal justice, minority groups, family systems and population. By examining issues like these within societies, our students learn how to best approach and combat these issues in their future careers.

Generally speaking, within the sociology curriculum, what courses will I need to take?

There are four core courses that Sociology students must take in addition to other major and liberal arts courses:

Social Problems or Principles of Sociology
Social Research Methods
Sociological Theory
Social Psychology
Statistics

Students who select Criminology/Criminal Justice also take:

Addictions
Criminal Justice
Juvenile Crimes and Justice
Criminology
Deviance
Corrections
Women in Prison
Victimology
Supreme Court and the Constitution

Students who select Family Studies also take:

Social and Cultural Diversity
Family Systems
Human Development Across the Lifespan
Addictions
Critical Issues in Development
Health, Healing and Wellness
Death, Dying and Bereavement

Students who select Research Methods and Data Analysis also take:

Principles of Marketing
Marketing Analysis
Grant Writing
Data Collection Techniques
Data Analysis and Management
Senior Research Project

What experiential learning or internship opportunities are available with Sociology Degrees?

Internships are arranged on an individual basis by an internship advisor. Typical internships for students with a Sociology Major include placement in an agency, business or government department.

Students intern in police departments, correctional facilities, health agencies, pre-trial release services, workers' compensation agencies, aging agencies, minority services, family court, family services, adoption agencies, migrant services, insurance companies and intensive probation programs. Students engaging research may be placed in a business or institution soliciting research and data analysis proficiency.