Sociology majors learn how to conduct and evaluate research, examine and contextualize the social bases of behavior, and analyze social institutions such as the economy, the family, education, religion, media, and government.
A sociology major is useful to students planning a career in any area where an understanding of human behavior, knowledge of social principles, and research skills are important. Sociology majors develop competency in the contextualization of social behavior, the formulation of social inquiry, the social research process and social analysis. Graduates are prepared to examine society from a critical, research-based stance and to see social issues through the lens of social structure and social processes.
Students majoring in sociology work with faculty in the department to select the appropriate sequence of courses in areas of special interest such as family, gender, and human relationships, or social control and social deviance. In addition, for students with a strong interest in psychology or social work, there is an opportunity to develop a double major program of study.
Upper-division sociology majors work with faculty on their own research projects, learning research skills from start to finish, and in off-campus, supervised internships, earning credits while exploring career choices. Students also complete a senior capstone project which serves as an opportunity to integrate and synthesize conceptual and research skills in a senior research project.
The objectives of the major program in sociology are to:
- develop skills in social observation and analysis
- increase understanding of the social institutions and social processes that influence human behavior
- develop skills in assessing and undertaking social research
- provide the opportunity to practice and evaluate critically the application of sociological analysis to real-life settings
Graduates of Cabrini's sociology program are in graduate programs of sociology, statistics, social work and criminal justice. They are teaching and working in administration in secondary and post-secondary education, employed in pharmaceutical research, social work, mental health, school counseling, and human resources.
| Requirements for the major or minor in Sociology* |
View core curriculum requirements (34-48 credits).
Required Courses |
CREDITS |
Major |
Minor |
| SOC 203 |
Contemporary Social Problems and Social Justice |
3 |
3 |
| SOC 215 |
Introduction to Sociology:
Race, Class, and Gender |
3 |
3 |
| SOC/PSY 265 |
Statistics for the Social Sciences |
4 |
|
| SOC/PSY 341-342 |
Research Methods I and II |
6 |
|
| SOC 401 |
Social Theory and Applications |
3 |
3 |
| SOC |
Sociology Electives (300-level) |
12 |
9 |
| SOC/CRM 420 |
Senior Capstone |
3 |
|
| SOC/CRM 488 |
Internship |
3 |
|
|
Electives, selected from any department(s) |
38‑52 |
| |
Total credits for major |
37 |
|
Special Requirements
Students planning a major or minor in sociology or in criminology must submit an application to the department chair and receive department approval. Students planning double majors must consult with an advisor in the sociology department for course selection. All majors must maintain a 2.33 cumulative average in their major courses.
Sociology Honors Program
Students who meet the following sociology department requirements will graduate with honors in the major:
- active membership in Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society
- a minimum overall GPA of 3.2
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all sociology courses taken at Cabrini
- successful completion of SOC/PSY 342, and presentation of an original research paper in a public forum