Where Social Scholar Activists Emerge
With a core curriculum around equity and injustices in social institutions and systems, the Sociology program at Arcadia University features a strong commitment to social justice.
What to Expect
- Learn to think, read and write critically, to analyze social institutions, and to understand how organizations influence how we live and interact as groups
- Become a part of the intellectual life of the University in a liberal arts tradition that helps students develop analytic proficiency, evaluative assessment and polished writing
- Be transformed by knowledge and potential
- Take your place in a nurturing community of students, faculty, and staff where ideas are supported and dialogue is encouraged.
Career Paths
All Sociology majors take a group of core courses and then choose Sociology electives based on individual career goals. The major can be applied in a variety of employment settings, including
- Universities
- Public agencies at the federal, state or local level
- Businesses or industrial firms, and
- Research institutes in the non-profit or advocacy sector.
For example, sociology is one of the majors recommended by the Physical Therapy department for students who plan to pursue a career in physical therapy. Sociology provides a well-rounded background in liberal arts advocated by the American Physical Therapy Association, while allowing students ample time to complete the requirements for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. In addition, the Sociology major can be designed with an emphasis on health and healthcare systems to strengthen the foundation for a career in physical therapy or other health professions.
Whatever your career path, as a sociology major you would meet regularly with your adviser to develop and review your academic plan and career goals.
Internships and Practicum
Career emphasis is expanded through an optional internship experience during the junior or senior year. Recent practicum settings have included nursing homes, human resource departments, child welfare agencies, police departments, schools, and hospital research departments, non profit agencies, girls empowerment groups, the U.S. Marshall’s Office.
Senior Capstone Experience
During the senior year, all students engage in an independent research project that integrates their unique areas of interest and focus with their knowledge and application of sociological perspectives and ideas.
Minor in Sociology
VIEW REQUIREMENTS
Related Minors
International Studies Minor
A major in Sociology can be combined with a minor in International Studies for those students who are interested in acquiring practical experience in international affairs and who want a more global understanding of the world. The program is supplementary to the major and can readily mesh with the student's individually tailored curriculum in Sociology.
The International Studies minor combines study abroad with international courses here at Arcadia University and modern language preparation.
Anthropology
The minor in Anthropology offers students the opportunity to explore the rich diversity of cultures around the world. Students majoring in fields such as Art, Business, Communications, Education, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Pre-Law, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Medicine or Psychology will find that anthropological theory and method both complement and challenge their understanding of the world.
Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice minor provides students with the conceptual and research knowledge necessary to think critically about issues in criminal justice. Further, the program creates and instills a set of values respecting human individuality and dignity that will guide the manner in which criminal justice tasks and responsibilities are carried out. The criminal justice minor, in conjunction with a student’s major, also builds a base of knowledge and constructs a process of evaluation and critical inquiry upon which criminal justice professional training and/or graduate-level education can readily take place. See the Criminal Justice section in the Undergraduate Catalog for more information.
Gender and Women’s Studies
A minor in Gender and Women’s Studies offers an in-depth study of women and women’s issues from the perspective of different disciplines. Informed by varied feminist paradigms, the minor provides the opportunity to analyze and integrate knowledge from the unique vantage point of gender. Along with core courses in the social sciences and humanities, students can concentrate on critical aspects of women’s lives, such as the intersection of race, class, and gender.
Student Abroad Opportunities
Sociology majors are encouraged to study abroad, and many opportunities can complement studies in sociology. Social problems and issues need a global and local perspective. Because of the flexibility and breadth in the Sociology program, study abroad can easily fit into the program and the Undergraduate Curriculum requirements.
Students are encouraged to meet with their advisers to discuss their career interests and goals. It is important to have this discussion and formulate a plan early so that the international program is integrated with required and elective courses for the major. Most students use their study abroad courses and experiences to explore international perspectives on sociological and cultural issues.
Sociology majors typically study abroad during their sophomore or junior years because of the senior-year focus on independent research and thesis. Depending on which semester a student is abroad, he or she will select a course that substitutes for a major requirement, an elective in Sociology or a course in Anthropology or Gender & Women’s Studies. Studying abroad can provide students with the opportunity to take a course that is not available at Arcadia University, and to learn from a different point of view.
Since it is important that students plan ahead for study abroad, they should consult with their advisers as soon as possible and make their intentions known to the Program Director and the Office of Study Away.
