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Undergraduate Studies in
Sociology at Texas A&M University
The Department of Sociology at Texas A&M University has been
recognized by the American Sociological Association for being
a dynamic and innovative department that has provided national
leadership in the area of undergraduate instruction in sociology.
Its approximately 30 tenured and tenure-track faculty are
nationally and internationally prominent in their areas of
research and teaching expertise. Thus, the department is able
to offer rigorous coursework taught by experts in the field covering
a wide spectrum of subject areas in sociology .
The Department offers coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science
(BS) degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University. It also provides
sociology majors a variety of opportunities for valuable educational
experiences beyond conventional courses including: specialized
programs of study leading to area "certification", participation
in an Undergraduate Research Fellows program, a sociology internship
program, and honors versions of many courses.
Majoring in Sociology
Minoring in Sociology
ASA MOST
National Leadership in
Sociology Undergraduate Instruction
The Sociology Department has been a national leader in the area
of undergraduate instruction. Based on a competitive review, it
was selected by the American Sociological Association as one of
a small number of departments that participated in the MOST
(Minority Opportunities through System Transformation) Program.
Supported by funding from the ASA and the Ford Foundation, the
MOST program universities worked together in a national-level
collaboration dedicated to evaluating and improving undergraduate
instruction and educational opportunities in sociology.
The MOST effort spanned nearly a decade and involved not only evaluation
of conventional practices but also implementation of innovations
aimed at transforming sociology undergraduate programs to improve
diversity in students and curriculum and make sociology instruction
more relevant, rigourous, and useful to sociology majors.
This national-level collaboration culminated in a major
report Promoting Diversity and Excellence in Higher Education
through Department Change distributed by the ASA to national
leaders in higher education. The report reviewed the findings
from the MOST project and identified practices that the MOST
program departments had demonstrated can lead to success in
improving diversity and excellence in higher education. Use the
following link to view the ASA summary of this effort.
ASA MOST Capstone Conference Press Release ...
The MOST program officially ended with the Capstone Conference in
the Summer of 2002. However, the Sociology Department's commitment
to excellence in higher education continues and is especially
reflected in a number of innovative practices in the department
including:
1) An extensive, well-organized internship program that combines job
experience with rigorous academic training.
Internships
2) An Undergraduate Research Fellows Program that allows our best
undergraduates to be paid for working one on one with sociology
faculty on a publication-quality research project.
Fellows
3) Coursework oriented towards training in a wide variety of careers
including business, social work, public administration, corrections,
marketing, human resources, counseling, law and the ministry.
4) Specialized certificate programs in i) Global Sociology, ii) Sociology
of Race and iii) Sociology of Gender for students planning careers either
in international business and finance, public service, marketing or human
relations.
Certificates
5) An annual summer research institute for advanced undergraduate training
in sociological research supported by the National Science Foundation's
Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program.
NSF REU
6) One-on-one academic and career advising to our majors providing a level
of personal support and guidance that is unusual in a large state institution.
Advising
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What is Sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of society. The discipline examines all
aspects of human behavior and, in particular, interpersonal relationships
and the development of social structures.
The Department of Sociology offers courses in such areas as the family,
race and ethnic relations, social stratification and inequality, medical
sociology, social psychology, demography, urban sociology, culture,
community, social and complex organizations, criminology, the
sociology of religion, sociological theory, and research methods. Individualized
study and field experience are also available.
The discipline is central to the understanding of social problems and social
interaction patterns. Majors are widely sought by government and social
service agencies, by counseling organizations and by personnel departments,
among others. Sociology is also an excellent foundation for further
professional training in such areas as law, criminal justice, social work,
urban planning, public health, and public policy to name just some of
the posibilities.
Majoring in Sociology
Students majoring in sociology have the option of earning either a
Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.
Under both the BS & BS degree plans, students majoring in sociology are
required to take 33 hours of sociology coursework. This includes the
five 3-hour required courses listed below plus an additional 18 hours of
electives from among the Sociology course offerings.
 SOCI 205 Principles of Sociology
SOCI 220 Methods of Social Research
SOCI 230 Classical Sociological Theory
SOCI 420 Advanced Methods of Social Research
SOCI 430 Contemporary Sociological Theory
Grades of "C" or better are required for courses counting
toward the major. Only 3 hours of SOCI 484 (Field Practicum)
can be applied toward the degree.
Further information about Degree Requirements
Contact an advisor for further information
Minoring in Sociology
Minoring in Sociology. Students minoring in Sociology must take a
total of 15 credit hours in sociology. This must include two "200-Level"
Sociology courses and three "300-Level" Sociology courses.
Instructions for declaring a minor.
Contact an advisor for further information
Certificate Programs in Sociology
Certificates document the fact that you have taken a prescribed program of
coursework within the major focusing on a specific theme. It also indicates
that you have performed at a high level in these courses.
We are the only sociology program in Texas and one of the very
few sociology programs in the country that offer such specialized
certification for undergraduates. Participation in a certificate
program allows the student to obtain a credential that will set
them off from other students by calling attention to the thematic
coherence of their program of undergraduate coursework.
Certificates are in most cases limited to sociology majors. They
can obtain such certification by completing a prescribed course of
study in their area with an average GPA of 3.0 or better.
Further information about the Certificate Program
Internship Opportunities in Sociology
The Department of Sociology Internship program is geared to enhancing
educational and career opportunities for undergraduate majors in
sociology. The program is directed by Dr. Carol Albrecht who, with
help from her staff, places students into internship positions with
agencies and firms in the local area and beyond. In these positions
students have the opportunity to learn through first hand experience
how sociological training can be applied in the "real world". In
addition, they also gain a better understanding of what career
options are available.
Further information about the Internship Program
Undergraduate Research Fellowships
The Sociology Department's Undergraduate Research Fellows Program
provides opportunities for advanced training and research experiences
for interested and highly capable students. Students selected for
Research Fellowships are given the opportunity to earn money while
working one-on-one with a Texas A&M Sociology Professor on high-level
research.
Further information about the Research Fellowship Program
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
The Sociology Department conducts an annual Summer Research Institute
for advanced undergraduate training in sociological research. Major
funding support for the summer institute is provided by the National
Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program.
The goal of the summer institute is to provide a rich training experience
in sociological research methods for undergraduates who are interested
in graduate training in sociology and careers in sociological research.
Students participating in the program typically go on to graduate or
professional programs to pursue advanced training in sociology or related
fields.
Further information about NSF REU ...
Career Opportunities in Sociology
Job prospects for sociology majors are excellent. In addition to providing
a well-rounded Liberal Arts background, sociology coursework enhances
critical thinking skills, provides a broader perspective for understanding
social relations, and provides training in social science theory and
research methodology. These and other skills we teach have applications in
a wide range of areas ranging from positions in government and the public
sector to positions in marketing, human relations, international business,
and strategic leadership. Sociology is the ideal course of study for entrance
into social service or counseling. Sociology provides useful training for law,
corrections, government and social policy. It is a fine major for students
considering the ministry. Finally, it is a strong generalist major for
students who wish to be flexible about their career plans pending a
consideration of market opportunities.
Further information about Sociology Career Prospects ...
Forms
The following links provide access to forms relevant to obtaining
a degree majoring in Sociology at Texas A&M University.
Form for Declaring a Minor in Sociology
Form for SOCI 484 - Field Internship
Form for SOCI 485 - Problems
Form to Request Permission to Enroll in Graduate Class
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