What you will study
Learn to think critically about community and societal issues in UCM’s on campus or
online Sociology bachelor’s degree program. Under the guidance of faculty mentors,
you’ll develop the skills to work with people, analyze data and become a community
leader.
Our undergraduate classes take a scientific approach to social issues and societal
problems, grounding your knowledge with historical and cultural context. Popular classes
you may take include:
- Culture and Society
- Institutions and Social Action
- Outsiders and Outcasts
- Popular Culture
- Protests, Social Movements and Social Change
- Social Deviance
- Society and Self
Community research projects
Many courses in the BS degree in Sociology include small research projects. This gives
you clarity about what a Sociology degree can do when you apply it to the field. One
way to approach these projects is by helping community organizations answer questions
with data.
For example, you may help a local library figure out what kinds of resources it needs
for their programs and operations. You could also help social services organizations
figure out the best ways to recruit employees and retain them long term.
Finally, as a senior, you’ll complete two in-depth course projects in theory and research.
These projects focus even more on how to become a sociologist by helping you address
community-based problems that are important to you. Regardless of whether you’re joining
us in Warrensburg or through the online Sociology bachelor’s degree option, you’ll
start making an impact as a sociologist even before you graduate.
Excellence in Sociology
- Graduates with BS in Sociology degrees from the University of Central Missouri have
a 98% job and graduate school placement rate within one year of graduation.
Unique learning opportunities in the BS degree in Sociology
Sociologists work in the community to assess, understand and solve problems. That’s
why the University of Central Missouri prioritizes hands-on, real-world experience
for students who want to learn how to become a sociologist.
- Internships: Learn how to apply social analysis in the field by completing an internship. Sociology
students have interned in the past at Kansas City organizations such as the International
Relations Council, Swope Health and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
- Ambassador Program: We select several high-performing students each year for this mentorship opportunity.
Selected students pair with faculty mentors to build leadership skills, speak on behalf
of the Sociology programs and develop career plans.
- Undergraduate research: Develop a research idea based on a social issue that’s important to you. Pair with
a faculty mentor to learn how to explore your topic and build presentation skills.
Then, you’ll have the opportunity to present your work to both on- and off-campus
audiences.
- Volunteer work: Get a better understanding of community needs by volunteering for a local social
services organization. This work builds your understanding of what a Sociology degree
can do and gives you real-world experience to list on your resume. You can even get
course credit for your volunteer efforts.
What can you do with a degree in Sociology from UCM?
The applied theories and research skills you learn in UCM’s on campus or online Sociology
bachelor’s degree program prepare you to enter the job market immediately. Most of
our graduates with Sociology degrees move directly into community-level jobs. There,
you work with data to improve an organization or assist the community directly through
work in:
- Fundraising
- Health care
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Public relations
- Social services
You’ll be well-prepared to keep moving up from there. Employers say they like hiring
UCM sociologists because they know how to work with both people and data in an organizational
context. That — along with critical thinking skills gained — prepares you to work
in administrative leadership.
Through coursework in Warrensburg or the online Sociology bachelor’s degree program,
you’ll also be prepared to enter graduate school. Graduates with Sociology degrees
have entered master’s programs at:
- University of Kansas
- University of Iowa
- University of Missouri
- University of Missouri - Kansas City
What a Sociology degree can do for you
Are you wondering how to become a sociologist? The interactive tool below allows you
to explore job opportunities for sociologists, salary information, projected career
growth and other metrics that show you what a Sociology degree can do for your future.
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 on campus or online Sociology bachelor’s degree
The University of Central Missouri works hard to ensure you can afford your BS degree
in Sociology. We provide you with many ways to finance your college education, including grants, scholarships and tuition awards. You can also apply for federal
financial aid to cover any remaining college expenses.
As a student earning one of our Sociology degrees, you can also apply for certain
UCM alumni scholarships available to Sociology majors, including:
- Dr. James C. Britton Scholarship in Sociology and Social Work
- Dr. Mark Wehrle Sociology and Social Work Scholarship
- Riley and Janet Pittman Scholarship in Sociology
- 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.
Meet Dr. Kamel Ghozzi
Active in global political movements
A native of Tunisia, Dr. Ghozzi spent time involved in Tunisian political movements
and remains active in conversations about related global political issues. He brings
these experiences and his research in social inequalities, cultural sociology and
social development and change to his social theory courses.
Meet Our Faculty
Meet Daniela Elana Z.
BS Sociology ’18
“The Social Policy and Justice and Sociological Thought courses were eye-opening and
came in handy with both of my AmeriCorps service terms. I am now starting my career
with FEMA as a recovery coordinator. They specifically wanted more people with a background
in sociology to examine policy and understand capacity building, community planning
and other areas FEMA touches as an agency.”
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