Sociology

Sociologists attempt to understand the forces that mold individuals, shape behavior, and determine social events.
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About The Program
College of Arts and Sciences

Sociology

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NSU’s sociology program includes emphases on criminal justice or human services to help prepare you for many different jobs in fields such as law, law enforcement, social welfare, business administration, education, communications, and advocacy.

Pursuing a sociology degree from NSU, you'll learn:

  • The ability to write and speak well;
  • Computer literacy and familiarity with data entry and analysis;
  • Cross-cultural understanding and the ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds;
  • Interpersonal skills with an emphasis on leadership; and
  • Research skills to analyze and synthesize information.

Our low faculty-to-student ratio means individualized attention for students inside and outside of the classroom.

 

Also, NSU sociology majors are now eligible for priority admission into Northern's counseling master’s program!

 

 

Careers 

Sociology majors with a bachelor's degree work in a variety of occupations - many as social workers, administrators, protective service workers and nonprofit or government workers; and in other service, managerial and management-related occupations.

 

Potential jobs include law, policing, social welfare, business administration, education, communications, advocacy, community organizers and activists, human services, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, sociologists and public interest advocates.

 

Many sociology majors go on to earn master's degrees in social work, psychology, counseling or business. A master's degree is typically required for social work positions in health and school settings and for clinical work. Learn more at NSU Graduate Studies.

 

For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships 

Through internships, we foster relationships for our students in the Aberdeen and South Dakota communities - relationships that cultivate career opportunities. Sociology majors observe professionals at work and gain practical job experience during the program's field experience component. Students will  complete a minimum of 1-credit hour field experience (SOC 396) or take part in our Traveling Classroom (SS 360) experience.

 

All NSU sociology majors are encouraged to consider completing an internship for course credit. Internships are a proven way to gain relevant knowledge, skills, and experience while establishing important career connections. Students who have successfully completed either a paid or unpaid internship have a much better chance at landing full-time, professional positions upon graduation because these experiences provide a competitive edge and are highly valued by employers.

NSU College of Arts and Sciences Internships

Scholarships 

The Chuang Scholarship is awarded annually. Other scholarship opportunities are available to sociology majors each academic year.

Arts and Sciences Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Courses 

Sociology (BA) Course Requirements and Student Learning Outcomes

Sociology Minor Course Requirements

Plans of Study 

Sociology (BA) Plan of Study

Program Success/Outcomes 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“I chose Northern because it felt like the perfect school. It wasn’t too close to home, but it wasn’t too far either. Once I’m done with my time at Northern, I want to recruit other Native people who may not think that college is a realistic option and show them that going to college is something that is attainable for them. There is a stigma around college for Natives. Many of them want to do it, but they are scared and often don’t get enough support back home. I want to offer those people support. As someone who is Native, I know the personal difficulties that Natives deal with in going to college, and I want to use that to be an advocate and spark change. I consider being Native American a true blessing. Being able to know where I come from and being able to know what chief I am a descendant from is a huge part of who I am. I think that on a national scale we are becoming more willing to embrace people from different backgrounds, and because of that I believe that my generation will be a generation to move the conversation forward.” – Tayzia Claymore-Knight, Eagle Butte #beNORTHERN #unleashYOURpotential #NAHeritage #NorthernStateU

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Contact Information 

For more information about this degree, call 605-626-2267. Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu.

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