Sociology (B.A.)

College Scorecard

The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs.  The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings.  Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program.  That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=4511&fos_credential=3

Program Requirements:

Sociology (B.A.) 4-Year Plan  

Sociology (B.A.) 3-Year Plan  

Sociology (B.A.) 3-Year Plan (when ICC Certificate completed)  

• A grade of C- or higher in all department courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required in the major.
• All sociology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten 10 years from the time the first sociology course was completed.
• Although a minor is not required, study in an outside area is recommended. Anthropology, computer science, economics, history, labor studies, political science, psychology, organizational leadership and supervision, and women’s studies support the major well.  Information on minors can be found in the Program Descriptions section of this Catalog.
• SOC 32501(Criminology) and CRIM 20100 (Causes of Crime) are equivalent courses – only one of these courses will count for credit.  If pursuing dual degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice, contact your advisor for assistance choosing the appropriate course.

Sociology (B.A.) with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan  

• Students pursuing a double degree (BSED and BA) in Secondary Education and Sociology require a minor. They may choose a minor in any of the following programs: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Exceptional Needs-Mild Intervention, French, German, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Spanish. See above for a few examples of 4-year plans. Contact your Sociology and Education advisors for assistance. 

Sociology (B.A.) Articulation with Northwest State Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr Plan  

Sociology (B.A.) Articulation with Ivy Tech Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr Plan  

To earn the B.A. with a major in Sociology, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

General Education: Credits 30

Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better:

• Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)   
  • One course in A1. Written Communication Cr. 3. 
  • One course in A2. Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.
  • One course in A3. Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.
• Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)   
  • One course in B4. Scientific Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B5. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B6. Humanistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B7. Artistic Ways or Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B8. Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
• Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
• At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness

Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes.  You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements .

College of Liberal Arts Course Requirements

Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for detailed information on college requirements.

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses: Credits 19

• ANTH 10005 - Anthropology And Sociology Student Success Seminar Cr. 1.
• SOC 16101 - Principles Of Sociology Cr. 3.
• SOC 34001 - Social Theory Cr. 3.
• SOC 34002 - Contemporary Social Theory Cr. 3.
• SOC 35202 - Methods Of Social Research Cr. 3.
• SOC 47000 - Senior Seminar Cr. 3.

• 
  Choose one statistics course from the following list:

• CRIM 30000 - Statistical Techniques Cr. 3.
• ECON 27000 - Introduction To Statistical Theory In Economics And Business I Cr. 3.
• PSY 20100 - Introduction To Statistics In Psychology Cr. 3.
• SOC 35100 - Social Statistics Cr. 3.
• STAT 30100 - Elementary Statistical Methods Cr. 3.

Sociology Elective Courses: Credits 21

• At least 9 of the 21 additional Sociology elective credit hours required must be at the 2000+ level or above.
• At least 12 of the 21 additional Sociology elective credit hours required must be at the 3000+ level or above.

Below is a list of possible Elective course options.  Check with advisor or department for additional details or to see if new courses have been added. 

• SOC 20100 - Sociology Of Serial Killing Cr. 3.
• SOC 20600 - Sociology Of Gender And Sexuality Cr. 3.
• SOC 20900 - Community And The Built Environment Cr. 3.
• SOC 21001 - Modern Japanese Society Cr. 3.
• SOC 22500 - Violence Cr. 3.
• SOC 29500 - Selected Topics in Sociology Cr. 3.
• SOC 30000 - Race And Ethnic Relations Cr. 3.
• SOC 31201 - Education And Society Cr. 3.
• SOC 31300 - Religion And Society Cr. 3.
• SOC 31401 - Social Aspects Of Health And Medicine Cr. 3.
• SOC 31601 - The Family Cr. 3.
• SOC 31701 - Social Stratification Cr. 3.
• SOC 32001 - Deviant Behavior And Social Control Cr. 3.
• SOC 32501 - Criminology Cr. 3.  or CRIM 20100 Causes of Crime Cr. 3.
• SOC 39800 - Internship In Sociology Cr. 3.
• SOC 43001 - Environmental Sociology Cr. 3.
• SOC 49400 - Field Experience In Sociology Cr. 1-6.
• SOC 49500 - Individual Readings In Sociology Cr. 1-6.

General Electives

• Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120 minimum

Time Limit

• All Sociology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten (10) years from the time the first Sociology course was completed.

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

Additional Course Use

Courses listed below may also be considered in meeting specific degree requirements.

SOC 32501 required; CRIM 20100 accepted