Sociology

Career potential

Sociology is the study of the characteristics, causes and consequences of living in groups. Sociologists have a variety of careers with government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations.

Sociologists also work in state and local law enforcement, hospitals, advertising agencies and manufacturing corporations to determine potential customers or to better understand existing ones. Some sociologists manage programs in family and child welfare agencies or develop programs and policies for community, government, religious and youth organizations. Other sociologists are private consultants or work for consulting firms, and many are employed by universities to do research and teach.

A bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas in sociology could prepare you for an entry-level research job as an interviewer or a statistician. You also may find a job as a social worker, a career or family counselor, a parole or probation officer, or in another community-service area related to sociology. Some sociology majors go on to law school or other graduate or professional training. To be considered a professional sociologist or to teach at a university, you will need to earn a master's and possibly a doctoral degree.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in sociology

The sociology program emphasizes the use of social theory and research methods to explore the complexities of social issues and the problems associated with social organization and disorganization. As a sociology major, you will complete 30 semester hours in sociology, including four required courses.

Your beginning courses will focus on areas such as sociological theory, urban sociology, medical sociology, gerontology, criminal justice, sex and gender, and race and ethnic relations. You will be trained to look beyond the classroom to understand the practical applications of sociological principles.

Sociology faculty members have won several teaching awards. One faculty member was named Regents Professor for excellence in research and teaching. Regents Professors devote at least half of their teaching load to introductory-level courses. Another faculty member received a President's Council University Teaching Award and was named a "Top Prof" by Mortar Board, a senior honor society.

Faculty members are involved in study abroad programs and research in Ghana, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico and Sweden. Faculty members have received research grants from the March of Dimes, the National Science Foundation and the National Center for Health Services Research. Faculty research projects often provide students with valuable experience as research assistants.

Getting hands-on experience

Faculty and students in the department have been instrumental in bringing improved health and social services to communities that have suffered from high rates of illness, crime, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. They also have worked to improve the management of and care provided in nursing homes. In addition, faculty members go into the field after disaster events to examine how social structure affects disaster impact and recovery.

Faculty members have helped create summer internships for students to travel to developing countries to address matters of fertility, birth control and recovery from natural disasters. Other applied research has focused on interracial marriage, family dysfunction and the shifting roles of women and men in our society. Faculty members have helped develop plans for community-based clinics.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's office of Cooperative Education and Internships. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

The sociology department has a student advisor who will help you each semester to select the courses necessary to earn your degree. The student advisor is in Chilton Hall, Room 289. Call 940-565-4415 to set up an appointment with an advisor. The faculty also can advise you about career opportunities in sociology. The department office is in Chilton Hall, Room 390.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.