About

Sociology is the scientific study of society and its impact on human behavior, ranging from small groups to organizations and social institutions across the globe. Sociologists observe, describe, explain and predict human social behavior using surveys, interviews, experiments, secondary data analysis, and various forms of field observation. Students who study sociology develop strong critical thinking, communication and leadership skills.

Appalachian State University’s Sociology (BA) degree gives students a broad understanding of sociology with a strong liberal arts focus. The program’s language requirement appeals to students with multi-lingual or long-term study abroad aspirations. The flexibility of the degree also allows students to double major or complete the required minor of their choosing.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates often enter into government or non-profit organizations working with a variety of people and situations. Graduates have also traveled and worked with AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps. Some graduates have also started for-profit businesses with a socially conscious mission such as clothing stores and coffee shops that sell only fair-trade products.

Graduate School:Most graduates with this degree pursue graduate education in counseling, family therapy or student development. Other graduates have pursued public health administration, or primary, secondary and community college teacher education certifications.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Alumnus Profile: John Neathery ’94 ’96 ’01

  John Neathery is known as an innovative and creative sociology instructor at Alamance Community College, one who engages students and goes out of his way to ensure their success.

• 

  Faculty Profile: Dr. Martha McCaughey

  “(Sociology majors) are passionate change-makers, community organizers and advocates of the disenfranchised or disempowered. They want to make the world a better place.”

  – Dr. Martha McCaughey, sociology professor

Related Programs

• Sociology (BS) - Applied Research Methods
• Sociology (BS) - Criminology
• Sociology (BS) - Families and Intimate Relationships
• Sociology (BS) – Sociology of Health and Aging
• Sociology (BS) - Individually Designed
• Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

Minors

A minor is required. Suggested minors include:

• Anthropology
• Community and Regional Planning
• Criminal Justice
• Education – specifically Child Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Leadership Studies, Media Studies, Special Education and Workforce Leadership and Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Exercise Science
• Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
• Non-profit Organizations
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Social Work

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Sociology Club - a student-led organization devoted to service learning, fundraising and hosting events for the betterment of students inspired by the discipline of sociology.

Alpha Kappa Delta - an international sociology honors society, formed with the intent to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition.

The North Carolina Sociological Association - open to all practicing sociologists (whether in academic, government or applied settings) as well as to sociology students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Southern Sociological Society - open to all sociology students and professionals across the southern United States.

American Sociological Association - a national organization dedicated to sociology and its pursuit of investigating human behavior, social interaction and social structures.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Department of Sociology faculty lead summer study abroad opportunities. Past program titles have included Studying War in Europe, and Religious and Ethnic Conflict in Ireland and Spain.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University. In order to maintain progress in this degree, students must receive a grade of C (2.0) or higher in the following required classes:

• SOC 1000 - The Sociological Perspective (3) *
• SOC 3885 - Research Methods (3) [WID] *
• SOC 3895 - Social Statistics and Data Analysis (3) *
• SOC 3950 - Classical Sociological Theory (3) *
• SOC 3960 - Contemporary Sociological Theory (3) [WID] *
• SOC 4450 - Senior Capstone (3) [CAP] *