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Sociology

Major Information

The study of sociology gives students a basic knowledge of the nature of human society and its problems. Emphasis is placed on helping students understand the complexity of the society in which we live and the potential contribution that sociology can make in humanizing the environment. Students are given the methodology for analyzing social reality and for supporting logic and common sense with empirically derived facts.  They develop skills in research and grant writing, working as part of a team, consulting, and communicating verbally and in writing, through their course work and through possible internships and volunteer work.

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science: Sociology
  • Master of Arts in Social Science

Sample Occupations

*Requires additional education

  • Arbitrator
  • Child, Family, and School Social Worker*
  • Child Welfare Social Worker*
  • Clergy Member
  • Consultant
  • Correctional Treatment Specialist
  • Corrections Officer
  • Demographer
  • Economist
  • Education Administrator, Postsecondary
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Health Educator
  • Historian
  • Human Resource Manager
  • Interviewer
  • Journalist
  • Labor Relations Consultant
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Lawyer, Civil/Criminal*
  • Management Trainee
  • Marketing Research Analyst
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Mediator
  • Private Detective/Investigator
  • Probation Officer
  • Recreation Worker
  • Rehabilitation Counselor*
  • Social and Community Service Manager
  • Social Science Statistician
  • Sociologist
  • Statistician
  • Student Personnel Worker
  • Substance Abuse Counselor*
  • Training & Development
  • Specialist
  • Urban, City, or Regional Planner

Sample Work Settings

  • Adoption and Childcare
  • Facilities 
  • Businesses 
  • Colleges and Universities 
  • Community Service
  • Organizations
  • Consulting Firms
  • Consumer Rights Organizations
  • Correctional Institutions
  • FBI/Secret Service
  • Federal, State Government
  • Hospices
  • Hospitals
  • International Industries
  • Legal Organizations
  • Marketing Research Firms
  • Nonprofit Associations
  • Penal Institutions
  • Recreational Centers
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Research Institutes/Firms
  • Social Service Agencies
  • Substance Abuse Clinics
  • Welfare Organizations

Sample Employers

  • Adult Protective Services 
  • Behavioral Health Services of South Georgia
  • Georgia Department of Corrections
  • Georgia Department of Community Supervision
  • Georgia Department of Human Services 
  • Georgia Southern University 
  • Goodwill
  • Howard University 
  • Insight Global
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • MarketSource, Inc. 
  • Military Officers Association of America
  • ProCare Therapy 
  • Senior Companion Program
  • State of Georgia
  • Success Academy Charter Schools

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2

bit.ly/focuscareer

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $18

http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

National Association of College and Employers  (NACE) 

http://salary.com 

Professional Organizations

American Sociological Association

www.asanet.org/

Rural Sociology Society 

www.ruralsociology.org/

American Society of Criminology

www.asc41.com/

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

Student Club for Sociology

Alpha Kappa Delta

The Sociological Society

Professional Tips

  • Gain various volunteer experiences especially in areas of social services.
  • Complete an internship relevant to your area of interest.
  • Consider partnering with a faculty member for additional research experience. 
  • Join student organizations and obtain leadership positions.
  • Consider a study abroad opportunity. 

Résumé Tips

  • Bachelor of Science: Sociology.
  • Include relevant experience, including internships.
  • Include volunteer experiences.
  • Consider including research experience and class projects, depending on the type of position that interests you.

Last updated: 7/1/2013