About
Xavier University’s program in sociology offers students the flexibility to pursue their individual academic and career goals. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the flexibility in the major, the core curriculum, and up to 34 free elective credits, to study abroad, double major, or double minor. Each student is required to complete a Senior Capstone Internship which also promotes individualized learning. Students are expected to meet the requirements of the Sociology Department and the College of Arts and Sciences Students should work closely and early on with their academic advisors to design an individualized plan of study to help them attain their academic and professional goals.
A minimum of 120 credit hours are required for graduation. In order for any course to be counted for degree credit in the major, a student must earn a “C” or better. All majors must also complete MATH 1020 (STAT 2010) with a “C” or better. These credits may be applied toward the required courses in the College of Arts and Sciences Core. Particular sociology courses (SOCI 1010, SOCI 1015, SOCI 2040, SOCI 2500, SOCI 3025) may be counted toward both the major and the College of Arts and Sciences Core.
Our Goals
Our department’s goals reflect our commitment to the Mission Statement of Xavier and to the discipline.
- To prepare majors for graduate and professional study in fields related to sociology such as: social work, counseling, public health, criminal justice, law, public administration, or urban planning;
- To prepare majors for graduate study in sociology leading to the terminal degree;
- To prepare students for employment in business, education, government, media, health, and public or social service;
- To provide students with a global perspective of society, cultures, and institutions; and
- To develop students’ critical and analytical reasoning skills, most especially through the use of sociological research methods.
Minor in Sociology
The Department of Sociology also offers a Minor in Sociology. Students selecting a minor in sociology must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours in sociology, meeting three criteria.
- Core courses (six credit hours total): SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology and SOCI 3030 - Sociological Theory , are required.
- Electives (nine credit hours total): Students may choose any combination of sociology courses to complete this component of the minor with the one following exception: students may NOT take two 1000 level courses with one 2000 level course to complete this component of the minor. Any other combination is acceptable (e.g., two 1000 level courses with one 3000 level course is acceptable, as is one 1000 level course with two 2000 level courses).
- Seminar (three credit hours total): Students minoring in sociology must take at least one 4000 level course of their choice. No matter which set of nine hours of electives students take, all minors must take SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology and SOCI 3030 - Sociological Theory .
Concentration in Sociology
Students choosing a double concentration in Sociology and another discipline may complete any 12 hours of Sociology coursework. Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 1010) must be among these, but any other 9 hours of sociology may be included to comprise the 12 required hours of sociology. An additional 12 hours is required in the other selected discipline of which specific courses might be required. Students are advised to check with the selected department that houses the discipline for the most up-to-date requirements.