Sociology (BA), 4-Year

Overview

Studying sociology opens up the doors to many careers, including positions in government, public policy, criminal justice, social activism, social work, marketing, or education. D'Youville's Sociology major prepares students to understand the relationships between individuals and social institutions, in order to develop solutions to social problems.

Our program places a strong emphasis on developing clearly defined professional skills. As a student, you'll learn to conduct in-depth interviews, focus groups and data and trend analysis. Upon graduation, you'll be ready to start a career or continue your education in sociology or applied areas such as law, public policy, urban planning, market research, and journalism.

Admission Requirements

At D'Youville, we are committed to selecting students who are academically well-rounded and committed to meeting the challenges of a high-quality education. If you have been successful in a traditional college preparatory program in high school, you should be well-prepared for the academic challenges at D'Youville. While we don't require you to submit ACT or SAT test scores, if you have taken or intend to take a standardized test we encourage you to submit your scores if you'd like them to be evaluated as part of your application.

First Time in College Freshman Requirements:

• Submitted application for admission
• Applications are free of charge and can be found on our Apply: Freshmen webpage.
• Official high school transcripts
• An overall weighted GPA of 80 with successful completion of high school graduation requirements and three years of math, history, english, and science.

Not Required (utilized in a holistic review for admission if provided):

• Standardized SAT/ACT test scores
• Admissions essay
• Letters of recommendation

Transfer Admission Required Review Criteria:

• Submitted application for admission
• Applications are free of charge and can be found on our apply webpage.
• Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges/universities
• Cumulative GPA of 2.33

 Not Required (utilized in a holistic review for admission if provided):

• Coursework relevant to major of interest
• Admissions essay
• Letters of recommendation

Curriculum

Find detailed course information for the Bachelor of Arts Sociology Program, tools to plan your education, and complete academic policies and procedures in the D'Youville academic catalog.

Careers

A sociology degree gives you a solid liberal arts foundation for a wide range of career paths. Sociology can open doors in business or human services. You can pursue a career in criminology, counseling, healthcare management, secondary or elementary teaching, government service, or employment with non-profit organizations.

Sociology graduates can pursue entry-level positions in:

• Teaching - elementary and secondary schools, when combined with appropriate teacher certification.
• Publishing, Journalism and Public Relations - writing, research and editing.
• Government Services - federal, state or local government jobs in areas such as transportation, housing, agriculture, and labor.
• Social Services - rehabilitation, case management, group work with youth or the elderly, recreation or administration.
• Community Work - fundraising, child care, community development, or environmental groups.
• Corrections - probation, parole, or other criminal justice work.
• College and university settings - admissions, alumni relations, or placement.
• Health Services - family planning, substance abuse, rehabilitation counseling, health planning, hospital admissions, insurance companies.

The search for employment allows you to discover your talents and skills and match them to career opportunities. Pursue employment with an adventurous and calculating spirit and the position you find is likely to be personally and professionally rewarding.

Internships

During their senior year, Sociology majors are required to complete an intensive internship. While interning, students are required to complete a minimum of 45 hours of on-site experience. Students work closely with their faculty advisor and internship site supervisor throughout their off-campus experience. The internship gives students a chance to apply their sociological knowledge, to be a participant/observer in an organization or agency related to career interests, and to contribute to the community while studying.

The internship also introduces students to employment possibilities while they receive valuable field experience and build community contacts and employment references. The student's faculty advisor ensures the student is maximizing their potential during the internship experience, and is applying and developing marketable skill-sets. The internship experience prepares students for the competitive job market and for scholarships for advanced study.

Internship Placements