At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The sociology minor allows students to explore the wide range of topics, social groups, and social interactions studied by sociologists. From social inequalities and social problems to the social institutions of family, school, religion, and government, the diversity of courses available allows sociology minors to explore courses relevant to their interests. The courses also provide multiple viewpoints, studying the intimate interactions of families and small groups and the complex interactions of global economies and political alliances. Requiring a minimum of 18 credits in sociology, including SOC 1 and two courses at the 400 level, students have flexibility in choosing a set of courses for their sociology minor.
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior and human social groups. The topics covered in sociology are as diverse as society itself, from families to gangs, from non-profit organizations to nations. Sociology focuses on the ways that groups and individuals interact, examining how social environments, like neighborhoods, schools, religious organizations, workplaces, and social networks shape individuals' behaviors and create cooperation or conflict. Sociology uses different methods (surveys, interviews, network analysis, observation, social media, censuses, case studies) to make the invisible patterns of the social world visible.
Sociology especially helps us understand the roots of racial, gender, and class inequality by investigating the ways that social groups control resources, enforce social boundaries, and accept unequal social outcomes. But sociology also helps us to understand how societies change, whether due to the impact of large-scale events like pandemics and economic recessions, or through social movements and labor unions.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You want to understand how society influence our lives, both in the United States and throughout the global community.
- You would like to learn skills for social research, group facilitation, or organizational leadership.
- You want to pursue a career in research, law, social work, business, community organizing, social entrepreneurship, education, non-profit organizations, public policy, counseling, or the health professions.
- You want to understand social inequality as well as social change.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
At least 12 credits must be taken within the Penn State system, including 3 credits at the 400 level. No more than 6 credits may be from study-abroad courses. Students must declare the SOC minor prior to the end of the late drop period of the student’s final semester.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| SOC 1 | Introductory Sociology  | 3 |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 15 credits in sociology; at least 6 of those credits must be at the 400 level. Note: | 15 | |
Students may count up to 3 credits of SOC 469 towards the minor. | ||
Students may not count SOC 300 (Preceptorship) credits towards the minor. | ||
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program
Abington
Michael Bernstein
Associate Professor of Psychology
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7479
mjb70@psu.edu
Altoona
Karyn D. McKinney
Associate Professor of Sociology and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Smith Building 128B
3000 Ivyside Park
814-949-5206
kdm12@psu.edu
Erie
Amy Carney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History
141 Kochel Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6304
abc13@psu.edu
Harrisburg
J. Scott Lewis, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
777 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6533
jsl19@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Ron Kelly
Administration of Justice and Sociology Minor Program Coordinator
A-124 200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6075
rap179@psu.edu
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu
Career Paths
Sociology helps you to prepare for your future career in multiple ways. Sociology trains students how to design social research, how to collect data, how to analyze data, and how to interpret data. For example, students can observe and facilitate small groups, analyze a nationally representative survey, or collect social media data. Sociology provides insight about how and why society works, giving students tools to critically examine social and propose creative solutions to social problems. Sociology also gives in-depth knowledge on key aspects of social life: race, family, immigration, gender, religion, work, sexuality, violence, social movements, and more.
Careers
People with sociological training can be found in a range of careers, since sociology provides skills that translate to numerous contexts and specialized knowledge on specific topics. Our recent graduates have pursued careers in law, social work, social media, research, business, community organizing, social entrepreneurship, education, non-profit organizations, public policy, counseling, health professions, government, and criminal justice. Since our department offers a wide range of courses, students can tailor to their interests. Students also have numerous opportunities for research, career, or teaching internships.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN SOCIOLOGY
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Sociology provides a strong foundation for graduate study. Many students choose sociology as a step towards graduate school because it provides intensive training in data analysis and critical thinking skills. Sociology students have multiple chances to develop their communication skills, through writing, speaking, and data presentation. Research, teaching, and community internships all provide opportunities for advanced skill development and mentorship. Over half of recent sociology students have considered graduate school, especially in the fields of law, business, data analytics, human services, education, and public health.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY
211 Oswald Tower
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2527
sociology@psu.edu
Abington
DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7479
mjb70@psu.edu
https://www.abington.psu.edu/michael-bernstein-ph-d
Altoona
DIVISION OF EDUCATION, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Smith Building 128B
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5206
kdm12@psu.edu
https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/sociology/minor
Erie
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Irvin Kochel Center
4951 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu
https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION
Olmsted Building, W311
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6034
rka12@psu.edu
https://harrisburg.psu.edu/behavioral-sciences-education/sociology-minor
Schuylkill
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
A-124 200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6075
rap179@psu.edu
https://schuylkill.psu.edu/academics
World Campus
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY
211 Oswald Tower
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2527
sociology@psu.edu
https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-sociology-minor