Public Health Concentration available
Preparing students to address public health challenges
Career paths in medicine, pharmaceuticals, management/leadership
Internship Opportunities
Criminology, Disabilities, Inequality/Social Justice
Free Electives For Developing a Minor
Or a Second Concentration
Meet with an advisor and plan ahead
Sociology (BA) is the scientific study of human society and social life. The discipline studies the social causes and consequences of human behavior. In more practical language, sociology concerns itself with the institutional patterns of social life and social issues. By being aware of the social environment in which humans interact with each other, the study of sociology will develop an awareness of how social forces influence behavior and how humans, through their collective action, respond to social issues and social change.
This program places an emphasis on developing writing and analytical thinking skills through classroom assignments, extracurricular experiences and internships. In addition, students develop critical research and analytical skills as applied to various aspects of human society, including racial, ethnic, religious, gender and socio-economic diversity.
4+1 Program Available
With careful planning, you may be able to complete a BA in Sociology and a MS in Organizational Development and Leadership with only one additional year of study through a 4+1 program. For more information, contact the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Grad student William Flannery and Professor Kimmel research the Carlisle Central Farmers Market
William Flannery, a graduate student in the sociology department, partnered with associate professor Chad Kimmel to analyze the failure of the former Carlisle Central Farmers Market. Through Flannery’s research, he has gained a new perspective on community partnerships, social entrepreneurship and the importance of trust across different industries.
Course work for Sociology, BA
All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate. For complete course descriptions, visit the catalog.
- Foreign Language Requirement: 0 - 3 credits
- General Education: 45 credits
- Major Requirements: 36 credits
- Free Electives: 36 - 39 credits
- Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits
Course work for Public Health Concentration
Public Health professionals work collectively to improve health outcomes for a variety of groups of people from small communities to entire countries through changing social policies, creating community organizations of support, and research.
The Public Health concentration prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities in the Public Health field by allowing students to tailor their Sociology degree to the expansive skill set needed in Public Health. For complete course descriptions, visit the catalog.