Degrees in Sociology and Future Academic Paths
Bachelor degrees: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
WTAMU does not offer a graduate degree in Sociology; however, a student may designate Sociology as one area of the Master of Arts (M.A.) Interdisciplinary Studies
Minor in Sociology
18 hours in sociology, at least nine of which must be advanced and three hours in residence.
How will sociology prepare me for my future?
- Develop research and analytical skills
- Learn about cultural and ethnic diversity
- Explore societal challenges
- Communicate effectively
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Master teamwork and collaboration
Employable Skills
Research: Defining clear research questions, designing appropriate studies, coding and analyzing data, reporting and interpreting findings, and making informed recommendations are fundamental sociological skills. Being able to conceptualize a project from inception to conclusion is the key.
Critical Thinking: Sociologists focus on the essence of problems, pull them apart with sharp analysis, synthesize broad data sources, and creatively form innovative solutions.
Understanding: Being aware of other people’s beliefs and behaviors and understanding why they believe and behave as they do.
Communication: You will be able to express your ideas clearly, whether speaking, presenting data visually, or writing research reports. Employers look for majors comfortable expressing themselves and their ideas in clear, concise, and meaningful language.
Leadership: Understanding society broadly puts you in a position for innovation and leadership because you have vision, tenacity, flexibility, and passion. Employers value those who help others adapt to changing priorities and who can anticipate change.
Interpersonal: Sociology majors work cooperatively in and outside of class, through our research projects, regional and national presentations, and our Society for Student Sociologists.
Cross-cultural understanding: Employers need workers who can understand and operate within the context of broad cultural differences. You will develop the ability to think and act deliberately, with meaningful impact regionally and globally.
Sociology Scholarships
The sociology program offers multiple scholarships for sociology majors, some of which are significant and rotate with other disciplines, and can reduce the cost of your education.
- Brian M. Beckley Scholarship
- Dorothy Gimp Brand Scholarship
- Hubert W. Oppe Scholarship
- Jane Addams Scholarship
- Nona L. Moore Scholarship
Sociology Salaries
2024 median salary for Sociologists in the U.S. $101,770 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
2024 average pay for Sociology degree jobs in Texas - $66,460 per year (U.S. Bureau of Statistics)
The job outlook for sociologists is bright, with a projected 7% in employment from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This is due to the need to replace workers who retire or leave the workforce, as well as the need to apply sociological research to other disciplines. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
How will sociology prepare me for my future?
- Develop research and analytical skills
- Learn about cultural and ethnic diversity
- Explore societal challenges
- Communicate effectively
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Master teamwork and collaboration
Popular Sociology Courses
SOCI 4311 Sociology of the Family: Sociologists view family as a fundamental unit of society. Studying family and marriage helps us to understand broader social structures, frameworks, and relationships. This knowledge provides insights into cultural norms and values.
SOCI 4315 Population Studies and Trends: This course focuses on immigration, migration, size and distribution of population, and population changes in response to birth, migration, aging and death. You will learn how population movements and the social processes that accompany them impact societies from past to present.
SOCI 4321 Racial and Cultural Minorities: This course examines characteristics and distribution of racial and ethnic groups. Race and ethnicity are an important part of our national landscape. We look at how social identities impact how different groups experience American life. Students also consider their own roles in improving inequality.
SOCI 4322 Class Inequality: Economic differences in family income and wealth affect other elements of our lives. As a society, how do we address inequalities, and how does this compare to other countries’ approaches? This course is great for anyone working with the public or who wants to better understand the class structure of America.
SOCI 4325 Sociology of Gender: Gender is arguably the most defining trait of human society. You will learn how our understanding of gender and sexuality have developed historically and how they impact our social lives from birth to death today and into the future. Excellent for anyone working in human resources, medicine, law, admin and more.
SOCI 4330 Sociology of Education: As a social institution, schools teach us the skills to become learners, workers, and citizens. We study how education has changed over time and place and consider its critical role in society. A great course for students and teachers.
SOCI 4346 Health, Society and Illness: This course looks at the historical and current intersection between health, medicine and society. It highlights the social roots of health and disease and the impact of social inequality on health differences and quality of health care. A good course for careers in health, medicine, people, and society.
SOCI 4351 Sociology of Religion: The course studies religion as a social institution. We look at trends across time, the rise and decline of world religions, religion’s intersections with race, class, gender, and sexuality, and visit a variety of local congregations and experts.
PROGRAM COSTS
