With an ever-increasing focus on issues of mental health, addiction, food justice and more, has social welfare evolved to meet the population’s needs?

The human services concentration allows sociology majors to better understand how various institutions within society differentially impact various groups and to develop skills to improve the outcomes for everyone. You will learn about the development of public policy, the importance of advocacy, and the role of social work in society, focusing specifically on how these processes and institutions impact the most marginalized members of society.

The Curriculum

View the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for B.A. in Sociology with a Concentration in Human Services

Six sociology core courses

  • SOC1101 Introduction to Sociology: Analysis of Society in Global Perspective (SA) (SS)
  • SOC2103 Qualitative Methods
  • SOC2104 Quantitative Methods (SS)
  • SOC3101 Theories of Society
  • SOC4194 Internship in Sociology
  • SOC4999 Seminar in Sociology OR SOC4988 Community Action Research (SJ)

In addition to the following requirements for concentration:

  • SOC1111 Introduction to Social Work
  • SOC2201 The Practice of Social Policy

Three electives must be chosen from the following (one of which must be 3000-level):

  • CCJ3207 Juvenile Delinquency and Youth at Risk
  • SOC2105 Race, Ethnicity and Group Relations (SA) (SS) (DM)
  • SOC2115 Family and Gender Roles (DM)
  • SOC2123 Health Care: Systems, Structures and Cultures
  • SOC2127 Social Class and Inequality (SA) (SS)
  • SOC2200 Drugs and Society 
  • SOC3201 Worlds in Motion: Causes and Consequences of Migration
  • SOC3210 Family Violence

Recommended Courses:

  • PHIL1205 Health Care Ethics (M) (ER)
  • PSYCH3601 Counseling Theories and Techniques

At the completion of the Sociology major, the student will:

  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the sociological perspective and the sociological imagination in our understanding of social reality.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of sociological theories, paradigms, and concepts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of sociological research methods.
  • Acquire intellectual and professional skills. 
  • Apply sociological concepts to micro and macro issues of inequality, diversity, and globalization.
  • Develop an appreciation of social justice concerns.