BA with a Major in Sociology

The Department of Sociology offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Sociology. Students may follow a general sociology curriculum as outlined below, or concentrate their studies in: 1) Data and Analytics; 2) Health and Medicine; 3) Professions, Occupations, and Work; or 4) Sociology for Social Work. A minor in Sociology is also offered. Students interested in pursuing the major with a concentration or the minor should see the individual catalog page for that program.

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Sociology degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Summary of Requirements
Major Requirements35
General Education and Electives to reach minimum Total Hours85
Total Hours120

General Education

See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements.

Major Requirements

Required Courses
Select one of the following:3
SOC 100
Introduction to Sociology a,b
SOC 105
Social Problems a,b
SOC 201Introductory Sociological Statistics c4
SOC 290Sociology Major Orientation and Success2
SOC 300Introduction to Sociological Research Methods4
SOC 385Introduction to Sociological Theory d3
SOC 490Igniting Sociological Futures: Senior Capstone Experience e4
Electives
Complete 5 additional courses (15 semester hours) at the 200 level or above, with at least 6 of those hours at the 400 level. 15
Students who wish to use their electives to pursue a concentration in Data and Analytics; Health and Medicine; Professions, Occupations, and Work; or Sociology for Social Work should consult the individual catalog pages for each concentration.
Total Hours35
a

This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category. 

b

This course is approved for the Understanding U.S. Society General Education category. 

c

SOC 201 also fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement 

d

SOC 385 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. 

e

SOC 490 is a senior capstone experience. It should be taken during the last semester of enrollment.

f

Independent study courses (SOC 296, SOC 298, SOC 496, SOC 499) can be taken for up to 8 hours of credit, but only 3 hours of SOC 296 and SOC 298 and 3 hours of SOC 409, SOC 496 and SOC 499 can count toward the required elective credit at the 200 and 400 level respectively.

Recommended Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
Foreign Language 4
General Education Requirement course 3-5
General Education Requirement course 3
 Hours13-15
Spring Semester
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
Foreign Language 4
SOC 100
or SOC 105
 Introduction to Sociology
or Social Problems
 3
General Education Requirement course 3
General Education Requirement course 3-5
 Hours16-18
Second Year
Fall Semester
SOC 2xx Elective 3
Foreign Language 4
General Education Requirement course 3
General Education Requirement course 3-5
 Hours13-15
Spring Semester
SOC 201 Introductory Sociological Statistics a 4
SOC 290 Sociology Major Orientation and Success b 2
Foreign Language 4
General Education Requirement course 3
General Education Requirement course 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
SOC 2xx Elective 3
SOC 300 Introduction to Sociological Research Methods c 4
General Education Requirement course/Elective 3
Electives 4-6
 Hours14-16
Spring Semester
SOC 385 Introduction to Sociological Theory d 3
SOC 2xx Elective 3
SOC 4xx Elective 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
SOC 4xx Elective e 3
Electives e 12
 Hours15
Spring Semester
SOC 490 Igniting Sociological Futures: Senior Capstone Experience f 4
Electives 11-12
 Hours15-16
 Total Hours120
a

SOC 201 (with a grade of C or better) satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Must first satisfy the math prerequisite.

b

It is strongly recommended to take SOC 290 as soon as the major is declared.

c

Must take SOC 201 before SOC 300.

d

SOC 385 meets both the theory requirement and the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. May also be available in the fall semester.

e

Students are encouraged to complete a research or internship experience.

f

Students must take SOC 300 and SOC 385 before SOC 490. It is strongly recommended to take SOC 290 before SOC 490.  SOC 490 should be taken in student's last year.