About the Major
SUNY Oneonta’s Sociology program will prepare you for a range of careers, including social services, counseling, administration, marketing, research, criminal justice, work with the elderly and social policy.
With eleven full-time faculty, several part-time teaching faculty and internship coordinators working in the field, the Sociology Department at SUNY Oneonta is big enough to provide cutting-edge programs yet small enough to offer a personalized educational experience.
Curriculum
There are five tracks within the major:
- The General track is a traditional sociology program that offers a foundation for careers or advanced education in all aspects of social life, including education, work, health and medicine, inequality and global development.
- The Human Services track will prepare you for careers that emphasize working with and helping vulnerable populations, such as those living in poverty, in unhealthy relationships or with substance abuse problems. Many students go on to earn the Master of Social Work or counseling degrees.
- The Community Development and Planning track is designed for students interested in improving the sustainability and quality of life of communities. Many students go on to earn advanced degrees in Urban and Regional Planning or Community Development.
- The Criminology and Deviance track is designed for students interested in the study of individuals, groups and subcultures holding complex attitudes and beliefs or practicing behaviors that violate social norms, including those that violate formal laws (criminality). Many students will pursue advanced degrees in Criminology or Law.
- The Aging Studies track will prepare you for fields that emphasize working with and helping improve the lives of elderly populations. Many students go on to earn advanced degrees in Gerontology or Medicine.
Course Topics
Below are some of the courses available to Sociology majors across multiple tracks. View the full list of courses available in the Sociology Department.
- Introduction to Sociology
- Social Research Methods
- Sociological Theory
- Sociology of Ethic Relations (Human Services Track)
- Introduction to Social Work (Human Services Track)
- Social Policy (Human Services Track)
- The Community (Community and Environment Track)
- Environmental Sociology (Community and Environment Track)
- Urban Sociology (Community Environment Track)
- Criminological Theory (Criminology Track)
Five Tracks
You can tailor the program to your interests and career goals by choosing one of four tracks within the major. The Liberal Arts track is a traditional sociology program designed to permit students to dual major. The Human Services track prepares students for graduate work or careers in social work. The Community & Environment track examines the impact of human population growth and distribution on the environment. The Criminology track is designed for students interested in the study of crime and is suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in criminal law, crime research and crime policy.
Student Research
Research opportunities are available through both faculty- and student initiated projects. Students can earn college credit through independent study or in a research assistantship, and college funding is available for student research projects and travel to academic conferences.
Student Clubs
- Sociology Club
- Criminal Justice Club
- Alpha Kappa Delta (Alphi Pi chapter), the international sociology honor society
- Alpha Phi Sigma (Pi Delta Omicron chapter), the criminal justice honor society
Profiles
