Sociology Minor
Add a social science perspective to your degree while studying inequality, institutions, human relationships, and social change.
Study society. Build research skills. Strengthen your major.
Request Info Apply Explore Sociology
Program Type: Minor
Total Credit Hours: 18 Credits
Open to: MCLA Undergraduates
Why Add a Sociology Minor?
The Sociology Minor examines how groups, institutions, inequality, and social change influence everyday life. In a small department grounded in social justice, students work closely with faculty while developing research and analytical skills relevant to fields including social services, education, health, business, and government.
Focus Your Electives on One Area
Choose three Sociology electives to explore different interests or concentrate your coursework in an area such as crime, stratification, education, or social research. Options include SOCI 351 Criminology, SOCI 441 Social Stratification, SOCI 410 Sociology of Education, and SOCI 432 Doing Social Research. At least two of the three electives must be at the 300 level or above.
Apply Research or Internship Experience Toward the Minor
The Sociology Minor requires at least 15 of its 18 credits to be completed in classroom courses. Students may be able to use one independent study, research assistantship, teaching assistantship, or internship as a Sociology elective. The department works with more than 100 internship organizations, while research opportunities give students access to the Social Science Research Lab and opportunities to present findings at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
An Intro Course That Also Meets a Core Requirement
SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology carries MCLA's Core Self & Society (CSS) attribute. Students may be able to use the course toward this Core Curriculum requirement while also applying its three credits to the Sociology Minor.
Sociology Minor Requirements
The Sociology Minor requires 18 credits, at least 15 of which must be completed in classroom courses. Students complete three required courses and three Sociology electives, with at least two electives at the 300 level or above.
Required courses:
- SOCI 100: Introduction to Sociology, 3 credits
- SOCI 312: Sociological Theory, 3 credits
- SOCI 331: Methods of Social Research, 3 credits
Elective Courses Available
Choose three Sociology electives. Options include:
- SOCI 201: Social Problems
- SOCI 321: Race and Ethnic Relations
- SOCI 351: Criminology
- SOCI 410: Sociology of Education
- SOCI 432: Doing Social Research
- SOCI 441: Social Stratification
At least two electives must be at the 300 level or above. Prerequisites and course availability vary.
How to Add the Sociology Minor
Enrolled MCLA students can add the Sociology Minor by meeting with their academic advisor and the Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work department to plan the required courses and electives. Students complete SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology and one Sociology elective before taking SOCI 331 Methods of Social Research.
Who Can Add the Sociology Minor?
Criminal Justice Studies
Students interested in crime and justice can connect Sociology coursework with the
Criminal Justice Studies Minor. SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology and SOCI 351 Criminology
appear in both programs, so students interested in completing both minors should work
with an academic advisor to determine how shared coursework can be applied.
Education
Education students can study how social inequality affects schools and educational
experiences. SOCI 410 Sociology of Education examines issues including school choice,
tracking, family involvement, and educational outcomes through race, class, and gender.
Psychology
Psychology students can complement their study of individual behavior with a sociological
perspective on groups, institutions, culture, and inequality.
Public Health and Health Sciences
Students interested in health can use Sociology to examine how social organization,
inequality, and stratification relate to health and illness, adding social context
to their study of individual and population health.
Business Administration
Business Administration students can add social research skills and an understanding
of groups, organizations, and inequality that can support interests in areas such
as human resources and market research.
Skills You Will Develop
Spotlight Courses
Faculty
Meet Your Mentors
FAQs
A: The two minors share SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology and SOCI 351 Criminology.
If you are interested in completing both, work with your academic advisor to determine
how shared courses can be applied and how to meet the remaining requirements for each
minor.
A: The Sociology Minor is designed to complement another primary academic program. Sociology
majors interested in adding another area of study can explore the department's other
minors, including Anthropology, Social Work, Criminal Justice Studies, and Child and
Family Studies.
Related Programs
Looking for More Information on MCLA's Sociology Programs?
Reach Out to Us
We’ll share helpful information and student stories, and we promise not to flood your inbox.