Advising
The Sociology Department strives to provide sound advice to our students to ensure they get the most out of their time in college and are prepared for what comes next. Each major is assigned a department advisor, who will guide them through the major.
Our general approach is to encourage students to complete their General Education courses, including major-related work before diving too deeply into the major curriculum. Completing introductory courses is also a good idea in the beginning. The core curriculum provides a solid social science foundation that begins with an Introduction to Sociology and then moves through a sequence of Social Research Methods and Research & Analysis. The core is complete when students finish a capstone course. Capstones are 4XXX-level courses that may be seminars, electives, independent study, senior theses, or internships. Both Sociology and Criminal Justice majors benefit from this core curriculum.
Each track and major in the Sociology Department has their unique sets of requirements and we encourage students to meet with their advisors to ensure their interests align with their major or track and to ensure their scheduling needs are met.
For questions that fall outside of the major, students are encouraged to visit the Office of Academic Advisement.
University Resources
Your success also hinges on the extent to which you take advantage of the programs and services offered by the university. Here are a few:
Graduate and Professional School
The decision to attend graduate school is one of the scariest but also one of the best you can make as an undergraduate. Receiving a Master's degree (or higher) or a Professional Degree (e.g., law, accounting, etc.) can lead to a more fulfilling career that matches your interests and goals in life. Having these credentials increases the odds of receiving a higher salary, better working conditions, and access to more leadership roles. Please speak with your advisor in the major to find out more about attending graduate school. Applying to graduate school often takes place in the Junior year.
Many people like to review the U.S. News and World Report Rankings before choosing a graduate program. Here is their site for social science majors:
U.S. News Education Rankings (usnews.com)
Career Planning
Each major in our department has a wide range of options for careers and the process of landing a career is always more complicated than we first imagine. Keep in mind that social capital--the value of your social network--is a critical ingredient for learning about career opportunities.
If you want to learn about different types of careers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a very useful resource:
Sociology:
Sociologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Social Workers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Criminal Justice:
Police and Detectives: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Lawyers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Learning Resources
Being successful in college courses is not easy. It helps to learn skills such as time management and multitasking. It is also critical to attend all classes since attendance is highly correlated with performance. Here are some additional resources to consider:
Professional Associations
Professional associations are where experts in a field come together, usually at an annual conference, to present and share their research findings. Many associations also have their own journals to allow scholars to share their research through the publication process. Being a successful scholar means getting involved with other scholars, and professional associations offer great opportunities. Most offer the option to present undergraduate research, typically in a poster session--what a great way to boost your scholarship! Associations are also a way to build your social network and thus social capital--a key to finding the right career.
Sociology and Social Work
American Sociological Association
National Association of Social Workers
Aging and Gerontology-Related
The Gerontological Society of America
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
State Society on Aging of New York
American Sociological Association's Aging and Life Course Section