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Advisement Tips

Welcome to Sociology. We have put together key bits of student advisement information designed for Sociology majors and minors. Although we have highlighted many key points you should plan on meeting with your Advisor regularly (every semester) to make sure you are on track to graduate as soon as possible ("on time"). Be sure to track your graduation progress by regularly going to Degree Works.

  • If you declared Sociology as a major or minor late in your academic career and have taken few, if any, courses that can be applied to the major/minor, be prepared for the reality that you might not graduate "on time."

  • If you are a first-year student registering for your second semester, or if you are about to enter the second semester of your junior year, you must get your alternative (2nd) PIN before registering. You get your alternative PIN from your Advisor AFTER you meet with him/her to discuss your academic progress.

  • Whenever you declared Sociology as a major/minor, you start with SOC 100, and then take the 200-level courses, followed by the 300-level courses; and then the Senior Seminar (SOC 490).

  • Take a core class whenever you can; it is hard to get into some core classes so take them ASAP. We offer most core classes every semester, but not all of them.

  • There are 7 total core classes for the major and 5 electives (at least 12 hours must be at the 300- or 400-level). The core classes for majors are:

    • 100

    • 210

    • 220

    • 221

    • 260 or 280

    • 310 or 320 or 330

    • 490

  • There are 4 total core classes for the minor and 4 electives (at least 9 hours must be at the 300- or 400-level). The core classes for minors are:

    • 100

    • 210

    • 220

    • 260 or 280 

  • SOC 100 is required before taking all other sociology courses.

  • SOC 210 is ONLY offered in the Fall semester (with rare exceptions it may be offered in the Spring).

  • SOC 210 and 260 or 280 are required before taking SOC 310.

  • SOC 220, 221 and 260 or 280 are required before taking either SOC 320 or 330.

  • All core classes must be taken before you can take SOC 490.

  • SOC 490, the Senior Seminar, is only offered in the Spring semester.

  • You must earn a "C-" or better in all Core classes in order to apply them toward the major/minor.

  • Remember to regularly take your electives (they can be taken at the same time as SOC 490).