Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is offered by the Department of Sociology.

Sociology is the study of human behavior in the context of the groups, organizations, institutions, and societies in which it occurs. The sociology department offers courses covering a wide range of topics, including: contemporary social issues, race and racism, sexuality and gender, health and health care, education, urban life, housing, organizations, family, political life, popular culture, immigration, law, international development and globalization. The sociological perspective pays close attention to diversity in culture, values and human experience.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-SOC-BA

Accelerated Programs

Sociology majors may opt to do a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (or the Health Track option) and apply to earn an accelerated master's degree. Sociology has three programs:

• BA in Sociology with an MA in Sociology
• BA in Sociology with an MEd in Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development
• BA in Sociology with an MEd in Secondary Education (Social Studies)

For more information on other master's programs that accept students from any major in CLA, see Accelerated Degree Programs.

Careers Related to Sociology

Majoring in sociology prepares students for many careers and graduate programs by providing both a broad sociological perspective and specific research, statistical and analytic skills. Students gain experience in fieldwork and interviewing; they develop, administer and analyze surveys and statistics; and they write research reports. Sociology provides an excellent background for students planning to begin their careers upon graduation as well as those planning to pursue graduate education. Recent graduates have gone to work and graduate school in the areas of law, medicine, business, non-profits, community planning, social work, market research and education. Students who are interested in a career in the health field can pursue a special sociology major option focused on health-related coursework. The Health Track option prepares students for graduate studies in leading medical, dental, nursing, public health, and physical and occupational therapy programs as well as graduate programs in sociology and related fields.

Student Organizations and Opportunities

Sociology majors and minors are encouraged to participate in the Sociology Undergraduate Majors and Minors Association (SUMMA), which hosts academic, community service and social events throughout the year. The department provides opportunities for students to present their work.

Awards

Awards available to sociology majors include the Robert K. Merton Award, the Sociology Prize and the Benjamin and Irma Robboy Award.

Distinction in Major

Sociology majors graduate with distinction in the major if they have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.

Contact Information

Department Office
7th Floor Gladfelter Hall

Kimberly Goyette, Chair
709 Gladfelter Hall
kimberly.ann.goyette@temple.edu

Matt Wray, Undergraduate Chair
751 Gladfelter Hall
matt.wray@temple.edu

Joseph DelMastro, Administrator
509 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-1376
joseph.delmastro@temple.edu

Catherine Staples, Coordinator
708 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-1494
cstaples@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are SOC 3396 and SOC 4096.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
• 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
• 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
  • For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
• A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
• Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
• Professional Development Requirement
  • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
• Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements
  • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
  • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
  • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
    • Third semester of a foreign language;
    • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
    • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
    • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
    • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
  • Notes on Foreign Language Study
    • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
    • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
    • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (36 credits)

¹

Students must take SOC 3201 prior to (or concurrently with) SOC 3261.

²

Indicates writing capstone for the major.

³

Students must complete SOC 3201 and SOC 3261 before taking either of the advanced methods courses, SOC 4001 or SOC 4002.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

¹

SOC 4001 is only offered in the spring and SOC 4002 only in the fall; plan to take prior to SOC 4096. See advisor for course selection.

Please check prerequisites for all Sociology courses.

Health Track Option

Sociology students who are interested in a career in the health field can follow the Health Track option which focuses on health-related coursework. This option prepares students for graduate studies in leading medical, dental, nursing, public health, and physical and occupational therapy programs as well as graduate programs in sociology and related fields.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. SOC 3396 and SOC 4096 fulfill this requirement for this major.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements
    • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
    • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
    • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
      • Third semester of a foreign language;
      • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
      • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
      • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
      • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements for Health Track Option (36 credits)

¹

Students must take SOC 3201 prior to or concurrently with SOC 3261.

²

Indicates writing capstone for major.

³

Students must complete SOC 3201 and SOC 3261 before taking either of the advanced methods courses, SOC 4001 or SOC 4002.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology: Health Track Option

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

¹

SOC 4001 is only offered in the spring and SOC 4002 only in the fall; plan to complete prior to taking SOC 4096. See advisor for course selection.

Please check prerequisites for all Sociology courses.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated programs may be of interest to students in the Sociology BA:

College of Liberal Arts

• Sociology MA

College of Education and Human Development

• Adult Learning, Training and Organizational Development MEd
• Secondary Education MEd with Social Studies Education concentration