Learn how sociological research can find solutions to our toughest social problems with an associate or bachelor’s degree in sociology from Dean College.
Poverty, inequality, consumerism and crime are all social problems. With an associate or bachelor’s degree in sociology from Dean College, you’ll learn how to use a variety of research tools to identify the root causes of complex societal issues and advocate for change.
Program Overview
Sociologists attempt to answer some of the toughest questions facing society. Why do people commit crime? Why is there growing income equality between the rich and poor? Are we giving too much power to technology? What are the damaging effects of institutional racism?
An associate or bachelor’s degree in sociology from Dean College will equip you with the theoretical framework and research methods to answer these questions and more. Trained sociologists find rewarding work in social advocacy organizations, as public policy analysts, in law enforcement, and as researchers with universities, nonprofits and private foundations.
Through coursework, you will learn how the social world is organized, how societies experience and resolve conflict, and the way cultures differ. You will develop a broad-based understanding of diversity and issues of social justice as well as the research process utilized in sociology and related fields. You will also explore the complex influence of societal forces on individual human behavior. Topics include:
- Social Inequality and Stratification
- Technology and Society
- Visual Sociology
- Social Movements and Collective Behavior
- Criminology: Theories of Crime
- Consumer Culture
Click on the below videos to learn more about the Sociology Program.
Beyond the Classroom
Every sociology student has the opportunity to complete a for-credit internship with a local or regional social advocacy group, social work agency, police department, juvenile detention center, public policy think tank or beyond. Bachelor’s degree candidates also complete a senior seminar and senior capstone research project.
An Associate or bachelor's degree in sociology is an excellent foundation for further study, including graduate and professional schools. Post-baccalaureate options include master’s programs in sociology, social work or criminal justice, law school, journalism school and more.
Uniquely Dean
Discover the unique programming that the Dean College Sociology program has to offer.
- Complete a for-credit internship with a local or regional social advocacy organization or law enforcement agency.
- Learn in classes that are engaging and hands-on, that connect with students' interests and career plans.
- Participate in advocacy-oriented campus organizations like Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Dean Community Outreach.
- Dean College was ranked #5 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges, North category.
Dean allows all students to be unique. The Dean Difference is having the ability to use all of the resources that Dean offers and shape yourself for the future.
Degree Offerings
- Bachelor's Degree*
- Associate Degree
*The course listing below is based on the Bachelor's Degree program.
Sociology Courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 113 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| HIS OR ECO ELE | History or Economics Elective | 3 |
| SOC 245 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 3 |
| 200-LEVEL SOC ELE | 200-level Sociology Electives | 12 |
| UPPER-DIVISON MAJOR ELE | Upper-Division Sociology Electives | 12 |
| SOC 495 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| LAS 415 | Critical Theory | 3 |
| DCA 100 | Campus Connections: Making the Transition | 1 |
| DCA 110 | Career Connections: Developing Your Brand | 1 |
| DCA 200 | Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan | 1 |
| DCA 300 | The Internship Experience | 3 |
| DCA EXPERIENCE ELE | Dean Career Advantage Experience Courses | 6 |
| DCA 350 | Future Connections: Launching Your Career | 3 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Composition l | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Composition ll | 3 |
| SPC 101 | Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| SOC 132 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| LAB SCIENCE ELECTIVE | Core Lab Science Elective | 4 |
| ARTS ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Arts Elective | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Humanities Elective | 3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| COM 327 | Applied Professional Communication | 3 |
| UDLA ELE | Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives | 9 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELE | Electives | 24 |
See the Proof By The Numbers
of our bachelor's degree students are employed or enrolled in graduate school
of our bachelor's degree students participate in at least one internship before graduation
of our bachelor's degree recipients completed their program in four years