Frequently Asked Questions

• Freshman and sophomore majors are advised by the COAS Center for Advising and Student Success click here to make an appointment with CASS advising.
• Juniors and Seniors are assigned a faculty advisor, indicated on your Academic Advisement Report (AAR). At some point you may begin to work closely with faculty that share specific interests, in which case you may ask that they serve as your academic advisor as well. Contact Paty Dudziak Kerr in the Sociology Department for assistance.

• Yes, the department offers career advising. Our graduates have pursued a wide range of career paths in business, government and nonprofits. Many further their education by pursuing graduate degrees.
• You should talk with your advisor early in your college career about your plans following graduation so that your coursework can be tailored to best prepare you to pursue your goals.
• Additional information about career advising can be found on the Sociology website.

• Students should be extremely familiar with the University Academic Undergraduate Catalog. Study carefully the required University Foundation Courses, the Policy information, and the Program section, containing class information for your specific major.
• The Sociology Department is a participant in the University’s Finish in Four Program. Even if you did not declare a sociology or social science major as an incoming freshman, these suggested course schedules can assist you in developing their own course of study. Contact your advisor to learn more about Sociology Finish in Four course schedules.
• It is essential that students remain well-informed consumers of their college education. Become comfortable with the Catalog, the AAR, Degree Tracker, and the Department’s Finish in Four schedules. If you do so, time spent with your faculty advisor can focus on issues of more specific concern to your academic and career plans.

Limited resources limit the frequency with which many courses can be offered. The course descriptions in the University Catalog indicate the typical schedule. Every attempt is made to keep this current, but as faculty members leave or join the department adjustments are unavoidable. Below is the schedule for the courses most important for completing the degrees.

Offered every Fall and every Spring:
SOC 101, 102, 105, 122, 230, 290, 310, 311, 390, 480, 493, 498

Offered every Fall only:
SOC 201, 332 and 471

Offered every Spring only:
SOC 302, 305, 333

Offered alternate years:
SOC 306, 307, 312, 320, 325, 330, 331, 340, 361, 362, 371, 380, 390, 395, 403, 407, 410, 412, 415, 417, 421, 425, 431, 435, 440, 450, 481 and 487

Plan your schedule carefully around the required courses offered least frequently.

• Note that SOC 201 is offered only in the fall, and that SOC 302 is offered only in the spring.
• Note that Sociology majors should take 301, 302, 310 and 311 during their Junior year if possible.
• Social Science majors should take SOC 201 as early as possible after their Freshman year.
• SOC 498, and your internship or independent study (493/496) are taken during your final semester before graduation.

You should take as upper-division electives those courses that best fit your specific interests and that will best prepare you for your future.

Social Science majors should note that only three credits of workshops, special topics, independent studies or internships may be applied to each of the two upper-division fields. If one of your upper-division areas is Communication, these limits can sometimes be waived – see your advisor.

• Independent Studies allow students to pursue interests not covered through a regularly offered course. To participate in independent study, you must have achieved at least junior standing and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. You may take up to 4 credits of independent study in any one semester, and up to 6 credits in a given academic year. You may apply no more than 9 credits of independent study toward your degree.

• If you are interested in completing an independent study, contact your advisor.

Internships are positions with public or private agencies that serve to further your education and to help you transition into a career. Qualified students may complete an internship by serving as a teaching or research assistant. Information can be found on internships and the practicum in the Internships section of the sociology department website.