Sociology, BA

What you will study

Develop social analysis skills and an appreciation for humanities traditions — such as conceptual theory, writing, the arts and languages — in the University of Central Missouri’s BA degree in Sociology. You’ll also learn the strategies needed to apply them in the field through a variety of courses. 

In addition to language classes, your coursework will be anchored in cultural and historical context through classes such as: 

• Changing Families
• Outsiders and Outcasts
• Popular Culture
• Protests, Social Movements and Social Change
• Social Deviance
• Social Problems
• Society and Self

Community research projects

Apply what you’re learning in your undergraduate courses to small research projects, which are incorporated into many classes in the Sociology BA program. Do you wonder what a Sociology degree can do for you? These projects allow you to use your new skills to improve community organizations — and even practice your developing foreign language skills.

For example, you could use data to show a library how to apply their resources to improve operations, or create employee recruitment and retention strategies for social services agencies.

In your senior year, dive even deeper into course projects in theory and research. In these, you’ll focus on addressing community-based problems related to issues you care about.

 

 

Unique learning opportunities in the BA degree in Sociology

Learn how to work within your community to assess societal needs, understand solutions and solve problems. At the University of Central Missouri, we give you extracurricular opportunities to practice your skills and demonstrate to others what a Sociology degree can do for the world.

• Internships: Learn what it’s like to use your social analysis skills in the field through an internship. Past students have worked for Kansas City organizations such as the International Relations Council, Swope Health and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
• Ambassador Program: If you’re a high-performing student, we may choose you for this mentorship program. As an ambassador for Sociology at UCM, you’ll pair with faculty mentors to build leadership skills, promote the Sociology degree programs and build your career plans.
• Undergraduate research: Work with a faculty mentor to develop a research idea based on a social issue of interest to you. Then, work with them to build your presentation skills so you can showcase your work both on and off campus.
• Volunteer work: Volunteer for local organizations to gain a deeper understanding of community needs. If you’re wondering what a sociology degree can do, this work gives you first-hand experience in the field and adds new skills to your resume. You can even get course credit for your volunteer work.

 

What can you do with a degree in Sociology from UCM?

Through the University of Central Missouri’s BA degree in Sociology, use your secondary language background to become a community leader with international agencies and non-English-speaking populations. Enter the job market right away to provide direct guidance and assistance to your community. 

UCM graduates with BA in Sociology degrees enter fields such as:

• Fundraising
• Health care
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Public relations
• Social services

Stand out in the job market due to your analytical skills, foreign-language proficiency and leadership experience. That and the ability to work with both people and data in an applied community setting is what employers say set UCM’s graduates apart from other candidates.

If you don’t go straight into the job market, you’ll be well-prepared for grad school with a BA degree in Sociology. Past students have gone on to master’s programs at:

• University of Kansas
• University of Iowa
• University of Missouri 
• University of Missouri - Kansas City

What a Sociology degree means for your future

Explore job opportunities available to graduates with a Sociology degree using the interactive tool below. You can also find information about salary, overall career growth projections and additional metrics to help you plan your future. For further employment opportunities, see https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/sociologists.htm

 

 

Financial assistance options for your Sociology bachelor's degree

The University of Central Missouri provides a number of options to make sure you can afford your BA degree in Sociology. Ways to finance your education, include grants, scholarships and tuition awards. You may also qualify for federal loans and grants to pay for any further college costs.
Certain UCM alumni scholarships are even set aside for students studying in our Sociology bachelor’s degree program. Those scholarships include:

• Dr. James C. Britton Scholarship in Sociology & Social Work
• Dr. Mark Wehrle Sociology & Social Work Scholarship 
• Riley and Janet Pittman Scholarship in Sociologyy
• The Launa Boston Scholarship
• The Billy Hu Sociology and Social Gerontology Scholarship

You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.