Sociology, B.A.

Overview
Learning Outcomes
Requirements
Roadmap
Contact Info

Students who major in sociology at Saint Louis University engage in 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 Bachelor of Arts in 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 bachelor's degree in 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 three concentrations:

Health and Medicine Concentration

The health and medicine 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 Concentration

The law, crime and deviance 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 Concentration

The urbanization, immigration and demography concentration allows students to explore urban and community change and social justice. This concentration provides opportunities for 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 communities. The sociology major provides a strong background in social science education that combines theory and empirical analysis methods 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 have diverse careers. They 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 a wide range of programs, such as social work, law and health service fields.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

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 coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all 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. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

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

Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition

Tuition Per Year
Tuition/Fee	Cost Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition	$56,960

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

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

Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

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

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

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. describe policies or practices that can help promote or impede social justice in local, national or global contexts.
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.
Graduates 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.
Graduates 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.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
University Undergraduate Core		32-35
Major Requirements
Introduction Requirements
SOC 1100	Introduction to Sociology	3
or SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology: Diversity Emphasis
or SOC 1120	Introduction to Sociology: Diversity and Health Emphasis
Methods Requirement
SOC 2000	Research Methods	3
Theory Requirement
SOC 3150X	Anthropological Theory	3
Research Requirement
SOC 2010	Statistics and the Social World	3
or SOC 4015	Quantitative Research Methods
or SOC 4025	Qualitative Research
Senior Experience
SOC 4840	Sociology Capstone	3
or SOC 4990	Departmental Honors Thesis
Elective Courses		15
Choose 15 credits from courses with the "Sociology Elective" attribute from the list below:
OR
Students choose a 12 credit concentration and 3 credits elective with the "Sociology Elective" attribute.
ANTH 1200	Introduction to Anthropology
ANTH 2200	Cultural Anthropology
SOC 1500	The Urban Community: Race, Class, and Spatial Justice
SOC 3680	Drugs and Society: Legal and Medical Implications of the "War on Drugs"
SOC 3220	Urban Sociology
SOC 4640	Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy
Concentrations:
Health and Medicine
Law, Crime, and Deviance
Urbanization, Immigration, and Demography
General Electives		55-58
Total Credits		120

Concentrations

Health and Medicine Concentration

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Concentration Elective Courses		12
Select 12 credits from courses with the “Sociology -- Health & Medicine” attribute, such as:
SOC 1120	Introduction to Sociology: Diversity and Health Emphasis
SOC 2360	Health Inequalities in the U.S.
SOC 2490	Sociology of Medicine
Total Credits		12

Law, Crime and Deviance Concentration

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Concentration Elective Courses		12
Select 12 credits from courses with the “Sociology -- Law, Crime, and Deviance” attribute, such as:
SOC 3680	Drugs and Society: Legal and Medical Implications of the "War on Drugs"
SOC 3580	Deviant Behavior: Drugs, Alcohol and Addiction
SOC 3590	Law and Society
Total Credits		12

Urbanization, Immigration and Demography Concentration

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Concentration Elective Courses		12
Select 12 credits from courses with the “Sociology -- Urbanization, Immigration, and Demography” attribute, such as:
ANTH 2080	Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective
SOC 1500	The Urban Community: Race, Class, and Spatial Justice
SOC 4640	Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy
Total Credits		12

Continuation Standards

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

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
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- and 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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Spring		Credits
CORE 3200	Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning (Should be taken in first 45 credit hours at SLU)	3
CORE 1600	Ultimate Questions: Theology	3
SOC 2000	Research Methods	3
General Electives		6
	Credits	15
Fall
CORE 1000	Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes)	2-3
CORE 1500	Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes / Must be taken at SLU)	1
CORE 1900	Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes)	3
SOC 1100 or SOC 1110 or SOC 1120	Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Sociology: Diversity Emphasis or Introduction to Sociology: Diversity and Health Emphasis	3
General Electives		6
	Credits	15-16
Year Two
Spring
CORE 3800	Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences (taken any time)	3
CORE 2500	Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation (Cannot carry attributes)	0
SOC 3150X	Anthropological Theory	3
SOC Elective	If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration	3
General Electives		6
	Credits	15
Fall
CORE 1200	Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes)	3
CORE 1700	Ultimate Questions: Philosophy	3
SOC 4015 or SOC 4025 or STAT 1300	Quantitative Research Methods or Qualitative Research or Elementary Statistics with Computers	3
SOC Elective	This elective may be selected from any Sociology course or approved Anthropology courses	3
General Elective		3
	Credits	15
Year Three
Spring
CORE 3600	Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences	3
CORE 4000	Collaborative Inquiry (Pre-req: 60 earned credits, including CORE 1000, CORE 1500, and a minimum of 17 additional Core credit hours (total of 21 Core credits))	2-3
SOC Elective	If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration	3
General Electives		7
	Credits	15-16
Fall
CORE 2800	Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression	2-3
CORE 3400	Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture	3
SOC Elective	If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration	3
General Electives		7
	Credits	15-16
Year Four
Spring
SOC 4840	Sociology Capstone	3
General Electives		12
	Credits	15
Fall
CORE 3500	Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World (May be added to a capstone for the major / Cannot carry attributes)	1
SOC Elective	If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration	3
General Electives		11
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	120-123

For additional information about this program, please contact soc-anth@slu.edu or call 314-977-2900.

Sociology, B.A.

Concentrations

Health and Medicine Concentration

Law, Crime and Deviance Concentration

Urbanization, Immigration and Demography Concentration

Continuation Standards

Graduation Requirements

Next Steps to SLU