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 two 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.
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 for 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 communities. 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 have 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 and health service fields.
Admission Requirements
Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application and the Coalition 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 or HiSET.
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
- All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.
Tuition
| Tuition/Fee | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $58,960 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
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 2025, 99.6% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $517 million in aid University-wide.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1.
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of issues related to diversity, inequality and social justice. Specifically:
-
identify examples of cross-cultural diversity in beliefs and customs,
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identify examples of stratification by race/ethnicity, gender and social class, and explain how inequality affects life chances, especially for marginalized others, and
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describe policies or practices that can help promote or impede social justice in local, national or global contexts.
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- Graduates will understand the role of theory in social analysis. Specifically:
- describe the role of theory in building sociological knowledge,
- compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations or identify assumptions in analyses and arguments, and
- apply theories to examples or situations.
- Graduates will understand the role of qualitative and quantitative research methods in sociology. Specifically:
- compare and contrast methodological approaches for gathering data,
- design a small study, and
- critically assess a published research report.
- Graduates will communicate effectively in written and oral forms. Specifically:
- write a clear and convincing sociological analysis of an event, issue or problem,
- make an oral presentation that is succinct, clear, convincing and professional,
- use computerized and online resources to find information (e.g., databases, reputable websites, government statistics, etc.), and
- 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | 30 | |
| Introduction Requirements | ||
| SOC 1100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 1110 | Introduction to Sociology: Diversity Emphasis | |
| or SOC 1120 | Introduction to Sociology: Diversity and Health Emphasis | |
| Methods Requirement | ||
| SOC 2000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Theory Requirement | ||
| SOC 3150X | Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| Research Requirement | ||
| SOC 2010 | Statistics and the Social World | 3 |
| or SOC 2025 | Qualitative Research | |
| Senior Experience | ||
| SOC 4840 | Sociology Capstone | 3 |
| or SOC 4990 | Departmental Honors Thesis | |
| Elective Courses | 15 | |
| Choose 15 credits from courses with the "Sociology Elective" attribute from the list below: | ||
| OR | ||
| Students choose a 12 credit concentration and 3 credits elective with the "Sociology Elective" attribute. | ||
ANTH 1200 | Introduction to Anthropology | |
ANTH 2200 | Cultural Anthropology | |
SOC 1500 | The Urban Community: Race, Class, and Spatial Justice | |
SOC 3220 | Urban Sociology | |
SOC 4640 | Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy | |
Concentrations: | ||
| University Electives | 55-58 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Concentrations
Health and Medicine Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Elective Courses | 12 | |
Select 12 credits from courses with the “Sociology -- Health & Medicine” attribute, such as: | ||
SOC 1120 | Introduction to Sociology: Diversity and Health Emphasis | |
SOC 2360 | Health Inequalities in the U.S. | |
SOC 2490 | Sociology of Medicine | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Urbanization, Immigration and Demography Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Elective Courses | 12 | |
Select 12 credits from courses with the “Sociology -- Urbanization, Immigration, and Demography” attribute, such as: | ||
ANTH 2080 | Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective | |
SOC 1500 | The Urban Community: Race, Class, and Spatial Justice | |
SOC 4640 | Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must have a GPA of 2.00 in sociology major coursework to be retained in the major.
This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.
Roadmap notes:
- This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
- Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes / Must be taken at SLU) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| SOC 1100 or SOC 1110 or SOC 1120 |
Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Sociology: Diversity Emphasis or Introduction to Sociology: Diversity and Health Emphasis |
3 |
| University Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3200 | Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning (Should be taken in first 45 credit hours at SLU) | 3 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| SOC 2000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| University Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| SOC 2010 or SOC 2025 or STAT 1300 |
Statistics and the Social World or Qualitative Research or Elementary Statistics with Computers |
3 |
| SOC Elective | This elective may be selected from any Sociology course or approved Anthropology courses | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences (taken any time) | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation (Cannot carry attributes) | 0 |
| SOC 3150X | Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| SOC Elective | If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration | 3 |
| University Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 3 |
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| SOC Elective | If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration | 3 |
| General Electives | 7 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3600 | Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry (Pre-req: 60 earned credits, including CORE 1000, CORE 1500, and a minimum of 17 additional Core credit hours (total of 21 Core credits)) | 3 |
| SOC Elective | If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration | 3 |
| University Electives | 4 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World (May be added to a capstone for the major / Cannot carry attributes) | 1 |
| SOC Elective | If you are completing a concentration, this course should be one of the electives in that concentration | 3 |
| University Electives | 11 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 4840 | Sociology Capstone | 3 |
| University Electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
For additional information about this program, please contact soc-anth@slu.edu or call 314-977-2900.