Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
Double Majors/Minors | Advanced Degrees | NCSU Orgs | Prof. Orgs | Links | Next Steps

Description of Major

The Sociology degree is available as a Bachelor of Arts offered through the College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Sociology is the examination of social interactions of people in groups and the causes and consequences of the human behavior within the groups. Sociologists explore the complexities of the structure and dynamics of social systems among cultures and societies. Sociology is an excellent major for individuals fascinated by groups and the social behavior of people. Students will have the opportunity to study race relations, gender, social class, religion, and ethnic background. In both paid and volunteer positions, the sociological perspective is valued in business, health, social service, criminal justice, law, media, and government sectors of society.

Courses include:

For the Bachelor of Arts:
Principles of Sociology, Current Social Problems, Sociology of Family, Social Deviance, Human Behavior, Criminology, Women and Men in Society, Sociology of Medicine, and Racial and Ethnic Relations.

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Sociology courses, and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

For the Bachelor of Arts:

• Research
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Human Relations
• Transferable skills include managing, promoting, selling, analyzing, interpreting, editing, advising, organizing, problem solving, conflict resolution, detail orientation

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. Though course credit is not available for this experience through this major or department, you may receive compensation from the employer.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Policy Analyst (B.A.)	Government Agency
Peace Corps Volunteer (B.A.)	Peace Corps
Market Researcher (B.A.)	Private Corporation

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Clinical Administrator
• Counselor
• Director of Social Service Agency
• Gerontologist
• Professor
• Social Worker /Applied Sociologist
• Statistician
• School Psychologist

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ 35,173
From NACE national salary survey- July 2010(suggested reading: Great Jobs for Sociology Majors by Stephen Lambert)

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD)-International Sociology Honor Society
Faculty Adviser: N/A

Taylor Sociology Club
Faculty Adviser: Dr. William Clifford, 513.3180, william_clifford@ncsu.edu

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

• American Sociological Association
• American Society of Criminology
• Forensic Science Society
• SocSite- Links to Sociology careers and applications
• Southern Sociological Society
• The Society for Applied Sociology

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Sociology & Anthropology
• College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Cooperative Education Program
  
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 9th of September, 2011 at 4:12:58 PM

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