Sociology, B.A.

Students who major in sociology at Saint Louis University engage in the scientific study of human groups and their characteristics, changes, causes and consequences. Through teaching, research and service, sociology reveals a critical understanding of the different ways people relate to one another through the organization of society and how its structures and cultures influence lives.

At Saint Louis University, the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program’s subject matter ranges from family life to large-scale organizations, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from poverty to prosperity and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sport. Few fields have such a broad and exciting scope.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's bachelor's degree in sociology curricula include exciting fieldwork practicum courses and service-learning.

Students may complete the general sociology major or choose to use their sociology electives to pursue one of three concentrations:

Health and Medicine Concentration

The health and medicine concentration focuses on the interplay of interactions, inequality and institutions that shape health and illness, both locally and globally. Students preparing for health-related fields find this area of concentration relevant.

Law, Crime and Deviance Concentration

The law, crime and deviance concentration allows students to develop their sociological expertise on the making, breaking and enforcement of social norms. Students considering careers in law, forensic science and progressive law enforcement will be interested in this concentration.

Urbanization, Immigration and Demography Concentration

The urbanization, immigration and demography concentration allows students to explore urban and community change and social justice. This concentration provides opportunities in careers in consulting, government, human services, social welfare, geoinformatics and geospatial statistics.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's Department of Sociology has many connections with social agencies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Fieldwork practicums are available for sociology majors, including working at neighborhood centers in St. Louis or performing social research projects. Fieldwork practicums also provide an opportunity for students to be involved in agencies and organizations. Students meet with the department internship director for assistance in applying to any of the numerous local employment opportunities in St. Louis.

St. Louis boasts an excellent research laboratory for how social behavior is determined by social structure and physical environment, how community is a major factor in shaping human behavior and how humans adapt to their community. The sociology major provides a strong background in social science education that combines theory and empirical analysis methods with an emphasis on social inequality and institutions. Students’ learning experiences may be enhanced through practical fieldwork experiences with St. Louis nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.

Careers

Graduates of SLU's sociology program are involved in diverse careers. They have occupied such positions as president of a management consulting firm, methodologist for a health organization and directors of community centers.

Graduates of the sociology program can also continue with graduate work in sociology or a wide range of programs, such as social work, law and health service fields.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition 

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of issues related to diversity, inequality and social justice. Specifically:
   1. identify examples of cross-cultural diversity in beliefs and customs,
   2. identify examples of stratification by race/ethnicity, gender and social class, and explain how inequality affects life chances, especially for marginalized others, and 
   3. describe policies or practices that can help promote or impede social justice in local, national or global contexts
2. Graduates will understand the role of theory in social analysis. Specifically:
   1. describe the role of theory in building sociological knowledge, 
   2. compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations or identify assumptions in analyses and arguments, and
   3. apply theories to examples or situations
3. Graduates will understand the role of qualitative and quantitative research methods in sociology. Specifically:
   1. compare and contrast methodological approaches for gathering data, 
   2. design a small study, and
   3. critically assess a published research report
4. Graduates will communicate effectively in written and oral forms. Specifically:
   1. write a clear and convincing sociological analysis of an event, issue or problem, 
   2. make an oral presentation that is succinct, clear, convincing and professional, 
   3. use computerized and online resources to find information (e.g., databases, reputable internet websites, government statistics, etc.), and
   4. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of information sources and assess which references are appropriate for academic research

 Sociology students must complete a minimum of 30 credits for the major.

• A maximum of two anthropology courses may count toward the sociology major.
• A maximum of two anthropology, sociology and/or forensic science courses may count toward both the anthropology and sociology majors.

Concentrations

Health and Medicine Concentration

Law, Crime and Deviance Concentration

Urbanization, Immigration and Demography Concentration

Continuation Standards

Students must have a GPA of 2.00 in sociology major coursework to be retained in the major.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
• Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.