Social Services Major, BS

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The social service major is designed for students interested in working in the human services delivery systems. Students are required to have a strong grounding in sociology as well as the applied field of social services. The coursework introduces students to critical issues in the field and offers students the opportunity to work within agencies in the community.

The major requirements are such that students are encouraged to organize their program of study to include a minor in an area of interest or specialization outside of sociology. Some areas that fit well with this major include psychology, ethnic studies, family studies, gerontology, women’s studies, community health, and the like.

An applied experience of 160 hours with an internship is required for completion of the degree.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

apply sociological perspectives and theory to social issues;
apply appropriate sociological methods to a research question using ethical principles;
evaluate and communicate sociological information;
apply sociological perspectives and knowledge to life and professional goals in social services; and
develop, participate, and reflect on internship experience.

Sociology Required Courses Credits: 24

***SOC 107 is a prerequisite for SOC 350 and SOC 445.

SOC 107 - Principles of Sociology Credits: (5)
SOC 200 - Introduction to the Major Credits: (3)
SOC 350 - Social Theory I Credits: (5)
SOC 363 - Methods of Social Research Credits: (5)
SOC 364 - Data Analysis in Sociology Credits: (5)
SOC 489 - Senior Seminar Credits: (1)

Social Service Required Courses Credits: 24

SOC 301 - Introduction and History of Social Service Agencies Credits: (5)
SOC 310 - Social Service Methods and Casework Credits: (5)
SOC 442 - Social Welfare Policy Credits: (5)
SOC 445 - Social Inequality Credits: (5)
SOC 490 - Cooperative Education Credits: (1-12) (Must be taken for 4 credits.)

Department-Approved Electives Credits: 20

Choose 20 credits of upper-division sociology electives.

***Additional credits in SOC 490 may count towards graduation.

SOC 320 - Death and Dying Credits: (5)
SOC 322 - Sociology of Food Credits: (5)
SOC 325 - Aging Credits: (5)
SOC 327 - Health and Society Credits: (5)
SOC 343 - Child Abuse Credits: (5)
SOC 344 - Juvenile Delinquency Credits: (5)
SOC 351 - Sociology of Work Credits: (5)
SOC 354 - Minority Experience Credits: (5)
SOC 356 - Sociology of Gender Credits: (5)
SOC 357 - Sociology of Families Credits: (5)
SOC 358 - Sociology of Sexualities Credits: (5)
SOC 365 - Minority Groups Credits: (5)
SOC 386 - Seminar on Racism Credits: (5)
SOC 415 - Urban Sociology Credits: (5)
SOC 425 - Sociology of Education Credits: (5)
SOC 446 - Sociology of Immigration Credits: (5)
SOC 460 - Community Structure and Organization Credits: (5)
SOC 459 - Organizations Credits: (5)
SOC 495 - Sociological Research Credits: (1-15)

Total Credits: 68

College and Department Information

Sociology Department
College of the Sciences

Online Availability
The program will have a designated online only option as well as an in-person or hybrid option.

Program Codes
Major plan codes: SOSE, SOSEP
Online option codes: SOSEO, SOSEOP