Sociology

Sociology

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Bachelor of Arts

Top 5 Reasons to Study

01

Cultivate transferable skills including research, teamwork, writing, problem-solving, and cultural competence

02

Uncover hidden patterns that shape human behavior, social institutions, and relationships

03

Better understand communities and society

04

Develop analytical and critical thinking skills

05

Learn from award winning faculty who are renowned for their research and teaching

Core
Skills

  • Data and Research Methods
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Ability to Understand and Navigate Group Dynamics

Sample
Jobs

  • Data Analyst
  • Non Profit Organization Manager
  • Government Agency Supervisor
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Market Researcher

Top
Employment
Industries

  • Public Sector including State and Federal Agencies
  • Community and Social Service Agencies
  • Education Agencies
  • Corporate Sector
  • Healthcare

Brag
Points

  • 100% of our Sociology graduates are employed, have continued their education, or are serving the military six months after graduation
  • As a sociology major, you will have data and research methods expertise when entering the job market
  • Our Department offers a 4+1 degree program, so you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Science in Sociology within five years

Experiential Learning Opportunities

As a sociology student, you will have the option to complete a semester-long internship during your junior or senior years. You will work with a community or social service agency, build a resume and cover letter, and meet with agency representatives to understand job options in the field.

Sociology

Bachelor of Arts

Get the Courses You Need

1st Year

Gain introductory knowledge of a range of topics to help you grasp basic verbal, written, and critical thinking skills.

2nd Year

Complete required courses in other fields of study. Complete basic courses in social sciences including introduction to sociology and introduction to race and ethnicity.

3rd Year

Begin courses in the major core, including social inequality, sociological theory, and introduction to social research. You will also begin your electives, including courses like social inequality, gender in society, families in the U.S., poverty analysis, and rural sociology.

3rd Summer

If you're interested, gain research experience by working alongside faculty members on their projects. 

4th Year

Complete courses in the major core including social research practice and the internship. Complete upper-division courses such as sociology of sport, environment and society, or health and society.

Hands-On Learning

1st Year

Complete hands-on learning assignments in the general education courses. 

2nd Year

Attend brown bag lectures and learn about faculty research projects.

3rd Year

Learn to conduct your own research in our two-part research series.

3rd Summer

Work with an interested faculty member on a research project. Participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

4th Year

Take the elective internship course to gain hands on experience in the field. 

Connect with Community

1st Year

Join the Sociological Student Association and get to know your fellow majors. Through this group, you'll also participate in several community-based events and projects.

2nd Year

Attend Brown Bag lectures and get to know the award-winning faculty. Continue your affiliation with the SSA.

3rd Year

Participate in additional activities with the SSA that highlight the SSA's efforts to help the community. Consider taking on leadership responsibilities of the SSA. Attend Brown Bag lectures and get to know the award-winning faculty. 

3rd Summer

Participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium to showcase research, build your resume, and meet other undergraduate researchers and faculty.

4th Year

Meet potential employers through the SSA employer event put on by the SSA. Participate in other events like the bake sale with all donations going to community partners in need. Continue building relationships with faculty.

Explore the World

1st Year

Experience all that MSU has to offer through department courses, social groups, and clubs.

2nd Year

Learn about global communities in the United States and abroad in the introductory sociology courses.

3rd Year

Consider study abroad options for summer.

3rd Summer

Consider taking a study abroad course through an Arts & Sciences' or Honor's program.

4th Year

Read scholarly papers by international researchers in your upper division courses to understand global sociology.

Launch Your Career

1st Year

Participate in groups and clubs to build your sociology passion and strengthen your resume. Consider joining the Sociological Student Association.

2nd Year

Attend brown bag lectures with criminology faculty. Get to know these faculty who can provide well-informed recommendation letters when they understand your strengths. 

3rd Year

Conduct your own research or work alongside faculty to strengthen your data and analytic skills, boosting your resume. Learn to understand how various groups and institutions influence social issues.

3rd Summer

The American Sociological Association Honors Program offers financial support to exceptional sociology majors for participation in the ASA annual meeting, which includes a research roundtable with students from around the country and a professional development workshop. You may apply in the early spring of your junior year. 

4th Year

Move from generalist to specialist in your sociology classes. Participate in an internship to gain hands-on experience and to learn from others. Apply for jobs and develop strong letters of recommendation to secure either the job or the educational experience for your next step post-graduation.

Major Maps are intended as general planning guides and may be updated as academic requirements, policies, and opportunities change. The MSU Academic Catalog in effect for the student’s catalog year is the official source for degree requirements and policies.

Alumni
Success

Recent graduates have gone on to success in graduate programs in the social sciences or have found full-time employment in fields as diverse as social services, healthcare, management consulting, and research, as well as in the non-profit sector.  

Student
Testimonial

"As a Sociology major at Mississippi State University, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of social structures, inequality, and human behavior. I am proud of the analytical and communication skills that I have developed and am confident in the foundation they provide for my future." 

Learn More

BA in SociologyBAS in Applied Sociology degree requirementsApply to MSU