Sociology BA

Major: Sociology
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.1101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3041

About the Program

Sociology investigates how communities are formed and maintained and how people resist social conventions and inequalities. The Sociology major at Drexel University has three components: theory, methods, and substantive coursework. It also features specialized coursework relating to social justice issues.

Sociology is the systematic study of societies. Society is the sum total of individual and group interactions and relations from small groups and families to global networks and complex social organizations. The discipline covers a wide variety of fields of inquiry. Sociologists examine structural relations and are committed to developing a critical understanding of these relationships. Thus, the Sociology major stresses theory, research methods, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. These are then applied to a wide variety of substantive areas including, but not limited to, social inequality, political power, gender, sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, family, health, cities and neighborhoods, technology and environmental change, as well as social and political movements connected with social change. The stress on critical understanding means that Sociology majors will strive not only to develop strong analytic abilities but an intellectual and ethical engagement reflected in sociologically informed thinking and action. The research and analytical skills developed in our program are sought after by a wide variety of professions.

Specialized social justice coursework is typically carried out in connection with community groups and organizations. It is a way the Sociology Program and Drexel University as a whole seek to become practically engaged with the wider community while promoting social justice.

Drexel Co-op for Sociology Majors

Sociology majors at Drexel embark on up to three, six-month periods of employment — exploring their career options, strengthening their résumés and building a professional network in the process. Students have the opportunity to earn a salary while gaining practical skills, making them competitive applicants when entering the job market. 

Additional Information

For more information about the Sociology major, visit the Department of Sociology webpage. 

Degree Requirements 

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Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

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Select from one of the following:

Two courses in: ARBC 103 or ARBC 201-499, CHIN 103 or CHIN 201-499, FREN 103 or FREN 201-499, GER 103 or GER 201-499, JAPN 103 or JAPN 201-499, KOR 103 or KOR 201-499, SPAN 103 or SPAN 201-499.

At least one foreign language course must be at the 200-level. In addition, the department recommends students take two additional foreign language courses as free electives.

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See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, no co-op

4 year, 1 co-op

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

5 year, 3 co-op

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 101 in place of COOP 101.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Sociology majors at Drexel embark on up to three, six-month periods of employment — exploring their career options, strengthening their résumés, and building a professional network in the process. Students have the opportunity to earn a salary while gaining practical skills, making them competitive applicants when entering the job market. 

An undergraduate degree in sociology is excellent preparation for law school, medical school, or for graduate work in such fields as sociology, history, gerontology, or political science.

Outside of academics, sociologists work in a wide variety of settings. Some serve as statistical analysts for market research firms, health care agencies, and the government. Others are involved in urban planning, survey research, public relations, agency management, trend analysis, or criminal justice. There are sociologists of religion working for national church organizations, and sociologists specializing in gerontology who are engaged in research or administration for agencies concerned with the aged.

Co-op Experiences

Sociology students have held recent co-op positions at the following institutions:

• National Board of Medical Examiners
• Cradles to Crayons
• Food & Water Watch
• Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP
• The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
• SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority)
• Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Comcast Corporation

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

Sociology Faculty