Bachelor of Arts (BA) Requirements

To earn a BA in Sociology, students must complete a set of core requirements plus electives within the department. Electives are an opportunity to explore different areas within sociology. The requirements include:

Core Courses (15-16 sh) – Required Courses

  • SOC:1010 Introduction to Sociology Principles  (GE course – Social Sciences)
  • SOC:2130 Sociological Theory (Prerequisite: SOC:1010)
  • SOC:2160 Applied Statistics for Social Sciences OR Stats course (STAT:1020, STAT:1030, STAT:2010, STAT:3510, PSQF:4143)
  • SOC:2170 Research Methods (Prerequisites: SOC:1010 and SOC:2160/stats sub)
  • SOC:4910 Capstone Course in Sociology (Prerequisite: SOC:2130, SOC:2160/stats sub, and SOC:2170) OR SOC:4800 Research Practicum in Sociology OR SOC:4920 Social Services Organization Internship
  • SOC:4909 Graduation Portfolio (taken in last semester)

Electives 

BA students complete elective course work in sociology, chosen from SOC courses offered by the department. Students may include a maximum of 6 sh of criminology (CRIM:xxxx) classes.

Sociology B.A. General Catalog Course Listing

Sociology classes that do not count toward the major include:

  • SOC:1000 - First year seminar
  • SOC:4930 - Teaching Internship
  • SOC:4990 - Directed Individual Study

Students are required to incorporate lower-level courses and upper-level courses (numbered SOC:3000 or higher) to get a good understanding of topics within the major. Two sociology electives, must be taken after (and not concurrent with) the completion of SOC:2130 Sociological Theory and SOC:2170 Research Methods.

Starting in Fall 2017, new majors will be required to earn 36 semester hours, including 7 electives in the major. 

Current major checklist

Previous major requirements (prior to Fall 2017) Major Checklist

Students who have questions should contact the departmental advisor.

Bachelor of Science (BS) Requirements

This degree is for students seeking additional quantitative methods experience, which will help students develop skills needed in graduate school or careers in social science research or data analysis.

To earn a BS degree in Sociology, students must complete a minimum of 45 semester hours of course work in the department and additional courses addressing quantitative methods.

Core Courses (12-13 sh) – All are required

  • SOC:1010 Introduction to Sociology Principles  (GE course – Social Sciences)
  • SOC:2130 Sociological Theory (Prerequisite: SOC:1010)
  • SOC:2170 Research Methods (Prerequisites: SOC:1010 and statistics class)
  • SOC:4910 The Capstone Course in Sociology (Prerequisite: SOC:2130, statistics course, and SOC:2170) OR SOC:4800 Research Practicum in Sociology OR SOC:4920 Social Services Organization Internship
  • SOC:4909 Graduation Portfolio (taken in last semester)

Quantitative Course requirements

  • Starting in fall 2017, students will be required to take coursework in advanced statistics through the Department of Sociology
  • Prior to 2017, students are required to take coursework in calculus and one statistics course

Electives

BS students complete elective course work in sociology, chosen from SOC courses offered by the department. Students may include a maximum of 6 sh of criminology (CRIM:xxxx) classes.

Sociology B.S. General Catalog Course Listing. 

Sociology classes that do not count toward the major include:

  • SOC:1000 – First year seminar
  • SOC:4930 – Teaching Internship
  • SOC:4990 -  Directed Individual Study

Students are required to incorporate lower-level courses and upper-level courses (numbered SOC:3000 or higher) to get a good understanding of topics within the major. Two sociology electives, must be taken after (and not concurrent with) the completion of SOC:2130 Sociological Theory and SOC:2170 Research Methods.

Starting in Fall 2017 students will be required to take 7 electives in Sociology and an advanced statistics sequence to complete the BS degree. 

Current major checklist

Previous requirements (prior to fall 2017) checklist

Students who have questions should contact the departmental advisor.

Minor Requirements

Sociology is an excellent choice for a minor that can enhance studies in a variety of areas, including medicine, business, political science, criminology/criminal justice, and journalism to name a few. Declaring a minor is easy through MyUI ( Programs of Study).

Requirements:

  • 15 semester hours in Sociology (SOC:xxxx courses) — at least 12 semester hours of which must be at the University of Iowa
  • SOC:2130 Sociological Theory is required
  • 9 sh must in classes numbered SOC:3000 or higher
  • Minimum 2.00 GPA in the minor

Please contact the departmental advisor with any questions about the minor.