Sociology, B.A.

Sociology is the scientific study of human groups and their characteristics, changes, causes and consequences. Through teaching, research and service, sociology reveals a critical understanding of the different ways people relate to one another through the organization of society and how its structures and cultures influence lives.

At Saint Louis University, the sociology program’s subject matter ranges from family life to large-scale organizations, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from poverty to prosperity, and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sport. Few fields have such a broad and exciting scope.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's sociology curricula include exciting fieldwork practicum courses and service learning.

Students may complete the general sociology major or choose to use their sociology electives to pursue one of four concentrations:

Gender, Sexuality and the Body

This concentration examines how social forces cause masculine and feminine behavior, create gendered systems of privilege and influence the lives of individuals and groups.

Health and Medicine

This concentration focuses on the interplay of interactions, inequality and institutions that shape health and illness, both locally and globally. Students preparing for health-related fields find this area of concentration relevant.

Law, Crime and Deviance

This concentration allows students to develop their sociological expertise on the making, breaking and enforcement of social norms. Students considering careers in law, forensic science and progressive law enforcement will be interested in this concentration.

Urbanization, Immigration and Demography

This concentration allows students to explore urban and community change and social justice. This concentration provides opportunities in careers in consulting, government, human services, social welfare, geoinformatics and geospatial statistics.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's Department of Sociology has many connections with social agencies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Fieldwork practicums are available for sociology majors, including working at neighborhood centers in St. Louis or performing social research projects. Fieldwork practicums also provide an opportunity for students to be involved in agencies and organizations. Students meet with the department internship director for assistance in applying to any of the numerous local employment opportunities in St. Louis.

St. Louis boasts an excellent research laboratory for how social behavior is determined by social structure and physical environment, how community is a major factor in shaping human behavior and how humans adapt to their community. The sociology major provides a strong background in social science education that combines theory and empirical methods of analysis with an emphasis on social inequality and institutions. Students’ learning experiences may be enhanced through practical fieldwork experiences with St. Louis nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.

Careers

Graduates of SLU's sociology program are involved in diverse careers and have occupied such positions as president of a management consulting firm, methodologist for a health organization, and directors of community centers.

Graduates of the sociology program can also continue with graduate work in sociology or in a wide range of programs, such as social work, law and health service fields.

Admission Requirements

Freshman

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.

Begin Your Application

Transfer

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

International Applicants

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of issues related to diversity, inequality, and social justice.  Specifically:
   1. identify examples of cross-cultural diversity in beliefs and customs,
   2. identify examples of stratification by race/ethnicity, gender, and social class, and explain how inequality affects life chances, especially for marginalized others, and 
   3. articulate policies and practices that can help promote social justice in local, national, and global contexts
2. Graduates will understand the role of theory in social analysis.  Specifically:
   1. describe the role of theory in building sociological knowledge, 
   2. compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations; or, identify assumptions in analyses and arguments, and
   3. apply theories to examples or situations
3. Graduate will understand the role of qualitative and quantitative research methods in sociology.  Specifically:
   1. compare and contrast methodological approaches for gathering data, 
   2. design a small study, and
   3. critically assess a published research report
4. Graduate will communicate effectively in written and oral forms.  Specifically:
   1. write a clear and convincing sociological analysis of an event, issue, or problem, 
   2. make an oral presentation that is succinct, clear, convincing, and professional, 
   3. use computerized and online resources to find information (e.g., databases, reputable internet websites, government statistics, etc.), and
   4. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of information sources, and assess which references are appropriate for academic research

 Sociology students must complete a minimum of 30 credits for the major.

• A maximum of two anthropology courses may count toward the sociology major.
• A maximum of two anthropology, sociology, and/or forensic science courses may count toward both the anthropology and sociology majors.

Concentrations

Gender, Sexuality, and the Body Concentration

Health and Medicine Concentration

Law, Crime, and Deviance Concentration

Urbanization, Immigration, and Demography Concentration

Continuation Standards

Students must have a GPA of 2.00 in Sociology major coursework to be retained in the major.

Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
• Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
• Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Nation, Identity and Literature (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses.
  
  In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
• Complete department/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.