The Major

These requirements apply to students entering the University of Massachusetts in fall 2018 or later. For requirements for earlier entry years see archived Guides to Undergraduate Programs.

The Basics

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of C (2.0) across their Sociology classes.
Students must take at least 20 credits within the UMASS Amherst Sociology Department.
Students must take at least 12 courses in Sociology.
To count toward major requirements, all courses in Sociology must be graded (not Pass/Fail).
Only one 100 level course may count toward major requirements.

Required Core Courses

Sociology majors begin the major with an Introductory level course.

The following 100-level courses are regularly offered:

SOC 103 — Social Problems
SOC 105 — Self, Society, and Interpersonal Relations
SOC 106 — Race, Gender, Class, and Ethnicity
SOC 107 — Contemporary American Society
SOC 110 — Introduction to Sociology

All students must take the following four (4) courses:

SOC 212 Statistics (or an equivalent statistics course)
SOC 213 Data Collection and Analysis
SOC 301 Writing in Sociology (fulfills the Junior Year Writing requirement)
SOC 302 Sociological Theories and Perspectives (fulfills the Integrative Experience requirement)

Ideally, SOC 212 and 213 should be taken during the sophomore year and SOC 301 and 302 during the junior (preferably) or senior year.

Distribution Requirement

Take at least one course from each of the following distribution areas:

Crime, Law and Deviance
Culture, Organizations, and Institutions
Social Inequality and Diversity

Sociology Elective Credits

To complete the major, students must also take twelve (12) sociology elective credits, eight (8) of which must be at the 300 level or above. Students may substitute four (4) sociology elective credits at the 200-level or above with a credited internship in sociology, with prior approval.

International / Intercultural Requirement

This requirement can be fullfilled by:

Taking one of our international/intercultural course offerings within the Sociology department
Studying a foreign language
Completing a UMass approved study abroad program

Note: A maximum of five courses may be transferred from other institutions to fulfill major requirements. Other maxima include no more than 6 credits, with approval, each of Independent Study at the 296, 396, and 496 levels.

Students interested in the major are encouraged to contact the department directly, or to visit our website at http://www.umass.edu/sociology/

Enrollment in the major is open throughout the semester. Students should visit the Undergraduate Advising Offices 1008-1012 Thompson to review major requirements and declare the major.

Students can meet with Sociology Peer Advisors during their drop-in hours, or make an appointment with a Sociology advisor.