Course variations

Course summary

Students in this program study substantive areas of sociology, methods of sociological research, and sociological theory. Although bachelors degree recipients do not have enough expertise to become professional sociologists, their training equips them to understand sociological research and work in public, non-profit, and private organizations where those skills are useful. The knowledge learned in sociology is most useful in government, health, social service, and educational organizations, and in personnel, human resources, and marketing departments of private businesses and public agencies. When combined with courses from other fields, such as health science and policy, accounting, social work, or administration, sociology major prepares the student for a wide range of occupations, especially in the public and not-for-profit sectors. It also provides appropriate training for graduate study in many professional fields, including business, public and health administration, law, and social work. Students can also pursue graduate training in sociology, such as the regular M.A. or combined B.A.-M.A. degree program at UMBC in aging and medical sociology.

Program modules

Students must complete the following requirements with a grade of ‘C’ or better: 1. Core Requirements ( 14 credits): SOCY 101 Basic Concepts in Sociology [3], SOCY 300 Methodology of Social Research [4], SOCY 301 Analysis of Sociological Data [4], SOCY 409 Sociological Theory [3]. 2. Other Requirements (18 credits) six three-credit courses or the equivalent from the list shown below: SOCY 201 Social Problems in American Society [3], SOCY 202 Drugs and Alcohol in Society [3], SOCY 204 Pluralism and Diversity: An Interdisciplinary Perspective [3], SOCY 210 Class and Inequality in the US [3], SOCY 220 Urban Sociology [3], SOCY 235 Sociological Perspectives on Globalization [3], SOCY 240 Elementary Social Behavior [3], SOCY 297 Selected Topics in Sociology [3], SOCY 298 Selected Topics in Sociology [3], SOCY 299 Independent Study [1-3], SOCY 300 Methodology of Social Research [4], SOCY 301 Analysis of Sociological Data [4], SOCY 315 Population and Society [3], SOCY 321 Race and Ethnic Relations [3], SOCY 330 Deviance in Contemporary Society [3], SOCY 332 Human Sexuality in Sociological Perspective [3], SOCY 333 Human Sexuality in Cross-Cultural Perspective [3], SOCY 334 Sexual Diversity [3], SOCY 335 Sociology of Violence [3], SOCY 341 Social Psychology of Social Problems [3], SOCY 345 Sociology of Education [3], SOCY 349 Sociology of Religion [3], SOCY 351 Medical Sociology [3], SOCY 352 Issues in Health Care [3], SOCY 353 Marriage and the Family [3], SOCY 354 Social Bases of Public and Community Health [3], SOCY 355 Sociology of Women [3], SOCY 357 Sociology of the Life Cycle [3], SOCY 358 Contemporary Problems of Aging in Society [3], SOCY 359 Death and Dying [3], SOCY 361 Science and Society [3], SOCY 365 Sociology of the Labor Force and Occupations [3], SOCY 371 Criminology and Penology [3], SOCY 372 Juvenile Delinquency [3], SOCY 373 Women, Crime and Justice [3], SOCY 380 Political Sociology [3], SOCY 391W Seminar on AIDS for Health and Social Service Providers and Administrators [2], SOCY 396 Community Service and Learning Internship [1-3], SOCY 397 Selected Topics in Sociology [1-3], SOCY 398 Selected Topics in Sociology [3], SOCY 399 Independent Study [1-3], SOCY 401 Thesis Research [3], SOCY 402 Thesis Research [3], SOCY 403 Introduction to International Field Research [3], SOCY 406 Social Inequality and Social Policy [3], SOCY 409 Sociological Theory [3], SOCY 409A Sociological Theory [3], SOCY 414 The Evaluation of Educational Policy [3], SOCY 415 Higher Education and Social Inequality [3], SOCY 416 Cyberspace Culture [3], SOCY 417 Applied Survey Techniques [3], SOCY 418 SAS for Social Scientists [3], SOCY 419 Qualitative Methods in Social Research [3], SOCY 420 Social Epidemiology [3], SOCY 430 Sociology of Aging [3], SOCY 431 Family and Aging in Society [3], SOCY 432 Work and Retirement [3], SOCY 433 Gender, Work and Family in a Cross-Cultural Perspective [3], SOCY 434 Gender and the Life Course [3], SOCY 450 Demographic Analysis [3], SOCY 451 Sociology of Health and Illness Behavior [3], SOCY 452 Health Care Organization and Delivery [3], SOCY 454 Comparative Health System [3], SOCY 455 Disability and Rehabilitation [3], SOCY 457 Social History of American Medicine [3], SOCY 458 Sociology of Mental Health and Illness [3], SOCY 459 Sociology of Fertility [3], SOCY 460 Urban Sociology and Urban Policy [3], SOCY 472 Issues in Aging Policy [3], SOCY 497 Advance Selected Topics in Sociology [1-3], SOCY 498 Seminar in Medical Sociology [3], SOCY 499 Independent Study [1-3].

Entry requirement for international students

Students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have strong marks. Freshmen who wish to be considered for merit scholarships must sit for the SAT and present a combined critical reading and math score of 1300 or better along with high school marks that are in the top 10 per cent of their class. Otherwise, students educated overseas do not need to sit for the SAT. They must also demonstrate their English Proficiency by TOEFL or IELTS scores. If students TOEFL score falls below 48 on the internet-based, 140 on the computer-based, or 550 on the paper and pencil version, they should consider full-time enrollment in the English Language Center (ELC).

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

University Of Maryland, Baltimore County

Department name

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology and Anthropology