Undergraduate Program
Q: What do Michelle Obama and “Dr. Ruth” have in common with Regis Philbin and Robin Williams?
A: They all earned a degree in Sociology!
Why Study Sociology?
Coursework in sociology challenges students to “think outside the box” in ways that can lead to many different career options. Sociology majors and minors learn critical analytic skills; broad knowledge of social relations, social systems, and processes; and substantive expert knowledge in a variety of sociological subfields, from medical sociology to urban sociology; from global and transnational social relations to gender inequality and organizational forms; from law and social processes to racial and ethnic relations. Sociology graduates work in fields that range from medicine and law to market research, business, journalism, social work, criminal justice, policy analysis, and nonprofit organizations.
Sociology 207 Students out on a class trip
Sociology also provides excellent preparation for graduate study. For example, prelaw students may wish to take courses in the sociology of law, criminology and criminal justice, or the sociology of deviance and social control. Students pursuing careers in business may wish to take courses in the sociology of work, formal organizations, or the sociology of technology. Students interested in pursuing graduate study in the social sciences may wish to deepen their experience in the field by working with Department faculty on a research project or investigating a sociological research question in a Work for Distinction.
The variety of paths sociology majors are taking is reported in the American Sociological Association’s (ASA) publication titled, “What are they Doing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?”. The ASA is the major scholarly association for professional sociologists in the U.S., and students are welcome to join
(ASA).
The Department is also proud to have a unique student group, the award-winning Undergraduate Sociology Association (USA). Students majoring and minoring in sociology are encouraged to join this independent organization, which provides a number of services and programs for students including University-wide panel discussions of public interest topics, film showings, service projects, social events, and participation in departmental planning and policy through the Undergraduate Programs Committee.
To declare Sociology as your major/minor:
- Please visit CAS Student Records & Services, in CAS room B3
To receive Transfer credit for a course taken at another institution or abroad:
- Please contact Sara Townsend, Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Pick up a Transfer credit form from our office or from the Study Abroad office. Bring in the course syllabus for the class you wish to receive credit for to the Sociology Department.
- NOTE- Not all classes taken will receive credit. It is up to the discretion of each individual department.
- Transfer Credit Form
Hints for new majors and minors:
- If you are new to the major, you need an advisor
- To be assigned to an advisor please contact Sara Townsend, Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Sociology main offices. She can be reached at stown@bu.edu or 3-2597.
- In your email please include your full name, UID, and specify if you have a preference among the following faculty advisors (who are not on leave this semester).
Reminders:
- In order to get a registration code, your advisor must sign your Registration Form.
- This form can then be brought to the main office, where you will be given your registration code.