Undergraduate Program Requirements
Sociology Major Requirements
- Required Courses
- Suggested Course Sequence in Sociology and for Double Majors
- Sociology-Anthropology Major
- Five-Year BA/MA Program in Sociology
- Transfer Credits
- Secondary School Certification and the Sociology Major
Sociology Minor Requirements
Sociology Major Requirements
1. Required Courses
The required courses for Sociology majors are Sociology 205, 206, 301 and 365. (Note: Any Sociology 100-level course is considered to be a prerequisite for 205, except by special permission of the instructor). Sociology 205, 206, and 301 are prerequisites for 365. These courses provide social science students with the theory and methodology background needed for more advanced work. Besides the four required courses, majors will take seven additional courses, five of which must be from Sociology 210-380. One elective taken in a related field may be counted toward the major with the permission of the chair or undergraduate advisor. Only one semester of Sociology 380 (Internship) may be counted toward the major (although this is a six credit hour course, it counts as one course). In choosing electives, majors should consult with their department advisor. In completing major requirements, not more than five courses (fifteen semester credit hours) will be accepted in transfer from other colleges and universities.
2. Suggested Course Sequence in Sociology and Double Majors
Freshman Year
First Semester and/or Second Semester, Sociology 100-level or Sociology (elective)
Sophomore Year
First Semester and/or Second Semester, Sociology 205, Sociology 301, Sociology 206, or Sociology (elective)
Junior Year
First Semester and/or Second Semester, Sociology (elective), Sociology (elective), or possible Internship
Senior Year
First Semester and/or Second Semester, Sociology (elective), Sociology 365, Sociology (elective), or possible Internship
Double Majors
For students with a broad range of interests, a double major may offer a desirable option. Sociology is most frequently combined with another social science (political science, psychology, etc.), but students in philosophy, biology, and languages have also found a second major in Sociology useful.
3. Sociology-Anthropology Major
This combined B.A. degree is designed for those students who are interested in both Sociology and Anthropology. It focuses on those areas of the two disciplines where there is convergence in theory and methods. Through this major, students are introduced to major substantive areas in both disciplines. The major allows enough choice in electives that students may focus on a broader perspective in social science than is available in either the single Sociology major or the single Anthropology major. This major is particularly recommended for those who may seek jobs teaching in the social sciences in secondary schools or in community colleges.
Students who major in Sociology and Anthropology are required to take 13 courses in the department, totalling 39 credit hours. These are as follows: on introductory course viewing humans as part of the natural environment (either Anthropology 211, 212, 213, 214, 216 or 218); two or three electives chosen from Anthropology offerings at the 200 or 300 level; two or three electives chosen from Sociology offerings at the 200 or 300 level; a theory and methods seminar for seniors (Sociology 365). Students interested in pursuing the joint Sociology-Anthropology major should consult the Departmental Chairperson or advisor.
4. Five-Year BA/MA Program in Sociology
This program provides specially selected Sociology majors with an opportunity to earn both a B.A. and M.A. degree in five years, which is approximately one year less than normally required to earn both degrees. Graduates of this program will be well prepared to enter the labor force, a professional school or pursue a Ph.D.
To apply to the BA/MA program, a student must be 1) an undergradute Sociology or combined Sociology/Anthropology major; 2) have a cumulative GPA of 3.3; 3) earned a 3.5 GPA in at least five sociology courses at Loyola (three of which must be at the 200 level or higher). A student should apply for admissions to this program at the end of her/his junior year. Admission to the program is highly competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the department's Graduate Admissions Committee.
Once admitted to the program, students may apply up to nine credit hours taken in their senior year toward the thirty graduate hours required by the department for the M.A. degree. The nine credit hours must include a minimum of two pre-approved courses at the 400 level or above. One additional course may be taken at either the 300 level or 400 level. Students must achieve at least a 3.0 GPA in all their graduate course work and complete the required course sequence and porfolio for the M.A. program. The nine hours of credit applied to the M.A. program during the undergraduate degree program are in addition to the 33 hours required to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major in Sociology or the 39 hours required for the combined Sociology-Anthropology major.
Students interested in the five-year BA/MA program are invited to meet with the Graduate or Undergraduate Program Director for more information.
5. Transfer Credits:
In completing major requirements, no more than four courses (12 semester hours) will be accepted in transfer from other colleges and universities. These courses must carry grades of "C" or better. The required methods and theory courses must be taken within the department at Loyola.
6. Certification Requirements for Teaching Sociology in High School:
A Department coordinator, working in cooperation with the School of Education, will assist Sociology majors seeking certification for teaching in secondary schools. An individualized program of instruction that meets Illinois state requirements as well as the requirements of the Education Department will be developed for each student. For more information on teacher certification requirements, consult the undergraduate catalogue. Sociology majors interested in certification should also see the Chairperson of the Sociology-Anthropology Department.
Sociology MINOR Requirements
1. Minor Sequence in Sociology
In choosing elective courses in their undergraduate program, students may wish to take a minor sequence in Sociology. They may do this by completing five courses in Sociology in addition to 101 (or its equivalent).
Students who minor in Sociology are advised to choose electives with some focus in mind (e.g., law and urban problems, organizations and industry, social policy) and to consult the Department Chairperson or the Department's Undergraduate Director in deciding which electives to take. Only one semester of Sociology 371 and only one 120 course in addition to Soc 101 (or its equivalent) can count for the minor. Any courses taken for a minor in Sociology may be applied to the Department's major requirements, if the student should decide to take sociology as a major. In completing minor requirements, only two courses (six semester credit hours) will be accepted in transfer from other colleges and universities.