Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Examine the dynamics of social interaction and social problems.

two people read a book together

“The department fosters interdisciplinary research that is necessary to answer complex social questions."

Emma Willoughby (B.A. in Sociology and Liberal Studies '13)

Doctoral Student, University of Michigan

About this Program

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in Sociology. Sociology majors learn basic tools of sociological analysis including social research methods-both quantitative and qualitative-and theory. The curriculum equips students to more effectively negotiate the diverse society in which we live by addressing social inequalities, culture, community development, social institutions, and social change. 

The Value of a Sociology Degree

Employers are looking for students who have developed the multi-disciplinary and critical thinking skills necessary to better understand our globally connected and diverse world. Sociology training is so important to those in healthcare professions that it was added to admissions tests for medical schools!

Students who major in sociology will leave with training in research design and methodology. They also gain communication skills that are useful in a wide range of careers, including:

  • Health care
  • Law
  • Business
  • Demography
  • Drug counseling
  • Education
  • Criminology
  • Human resources
  • Government services
  • Consumer advocacy
  • Corrections
  • City planning
  • Community relations
  • Labor relations
  • Child welfare
  • Counseling
  • Marketing
  • Gerontology research

Our graduates are working in many sectors of the economy, the largest in business and finance firms, community services, non-profit organizations, and government.

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Program Type

    Minor

    Minor

    Area of Study

    Social Sciences, Law, and Policy

    Duration

    4 Years

    Degree

    B.A. in Sociology

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Required Credit Hours

    120

    Degree Requirements

    Students in the B.A. in Sociology complete 30 credit hours, including core sociology courses and elective sociology courses selected from a wide range of topics including demography, culture, religion, environment, food systems, and health. Students earning the B.A. in the College of Liberal Arts also complete a minor field of study (or double major).

    • Soc 101: Introductory Sociology I
    • Soc 302: Sociological Theory
    • Soc 365: Methods of Social Research

    Seven elective sociology courses. See all the sociology courses in the online catalog. 

    Many educational and career paths would benefit from the addition of a sociology minor, providing both content knowledge and the social science skills needed to negotiate our complex society.

    A minor in sociology consists of 18 credit hours of sociology courses, providing maximum flexibility in pursuing the areas of sociology that interest you the most.

     

    What can I do with a Sociology degree?

    • Vice President, Trustmark National Bank
    • International Systems Advisor, FedEx
    • Social Worker, San Diego Welfare Department
    • Minister, First Baptist Church
    • Counselor, MS Department of Rehab Services
    • President, Brown-Olmstead PR Firm
    • Marketing, Verizon Wireless
    • Senior Sales Representative, GlaxoSmithKline
    • Youth Court Judge, Lee County Court
    • Founder, Southern Recovery Advocacy
    • Dir. of Youth Services, MS Dept. of Human Services
    • Humanitarian Relief, Save the Children
    • Travel Editor, Houston Chronicle
    • Human Resources Director, Marriott
    • CEO, Memorial Hermann Health Systems
    • Guidance Counselor, E. Baton Rouge High School
    • Data Scientist, US Census Bureau

    Choosing a Minor or Double Major

    Bachelor of Arts students must choose a minor (or double major). Combine your study of sociology with many other subjects based on your interests and career goals.  
    Annabelle Harris

    Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts

    As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!

    Annabelle Harris

    Admissions Counselor

    Future CLA Students

    image of a group of students studying together in the Union

    College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Students

    We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet. 

    Future CLA Students

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

    Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?