Academic Catalog

Sociology | Bachelor of Science in Sociology

The field of sociology encompasses the study of social life as well as the social causes and consequences of human behavior. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology offers you a broad academic program that can lead you to a variety of careers in sociology.

The BS in Sociology is available completely online - same classes, same faculty, but accessible to you wherever you are in the world. If you are interested in pursuing the online BS in Sociology, learn what it takes to be an online sociology major at Fort Hays State University. Be sure to visit FHSU Online Web site for admissions and tuition information.

Program Summary

General Education34
Required Courses
Sociology Major Core Courses21
Directed Electives
Upper Division Elective 21
Open Electives 144
Total Hours120
1

Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper-level hours.  The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed.  This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed.  Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper-level hours.   

Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.

 Program Requirements

General Education

All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education

Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement.  Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the the university elective category.  This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree.  Transfer students and students majoring in programs with approved exceptions are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.  

General Education34-35
Sociology Major Core Courses
SOC 140Understanding Society: Introductory Sociology GE3
SOC 145Cultural Anthropology GE3
SOC 361Sociological Theory and Literature3
SOC 362Methods of Social Research3
SOC 470Grant Writing3
SOC 472Social Inequality3
SOC 621Advanced Sociological Research3
Upper Division Elective
Select 21 credit hours from the following:
(Any department course not applied to another requirement) Courses typically applied include:
Gender and Society
Feminist Theory
Sociology Through Cinema
Popular Culture
Global Forces in a Changing World
Changing Faces of Culture
Social Deviance
Topics in Sociology
Family Communication
Stepfamilies
Sociology of Death and Dying
Introduction to Addictions
Individual Counseling in Addictions
Client Management Procedures
Pharmacology and High Risk Medical Issues
Addictions Counseling with Families
Ethics in Addictions Counseling
Psychopathology and Addictions
Group Counseling with Addiction Populations
Medical Sociology
Diversity in the United States
Addictions Practicum I
Addictions Practicum II
Social Problems
Sociology of the Family in America
Sociology Elective
Social Demography
Comparative Cultures and Societies
Sociology of Sexual Behavior
Rural and Urban Sociology
Sociology of Aging
Comparative Cultural Anthropology
Social Entrepreneurship and Grassroots Social Action
Program Development and Evaluation
Workshop in Sociology
Independent Study in Sociology
Seminar in Sociology
Apprenticeship in Sociology
Internship in Sociology
Community Theory and Development
Nonprofit Organizations
Non Governmental Org: Global Social Innovation
Total Hours21

Upper division courses are number 300 and above. When taking 600-level courses undergraduate students are automatically registered as such, while any graduate students are automatically registered for a graduate-level version of the course that contains assignments beyond the undergraduate level.

Degree Requirements

All bachelor degrees require:
GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set)
A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A
Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated)
A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit
A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit

Sociology Degree - Addictions Counseling Track

The Sociology Program offers an Addictions Counseling Track for both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts students. This track provides a path to become a licensed addictions counselor in the State of Kansas. Addictions counselors work with individuals and/or groups in a variety of settings, and can provide prevention, recovery and crisis care services.

Program Summary

To earn the Sociology - Addictions Counseling Track Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Arts degree, you will complete the requirements for the BS/BA in Sociology degree.  The 30 hours of addictions counseling track courses will count as the 21 hours of upper- level sociology courses (BS degree), and as 9 hours of open electives.  This leaves 35 hours of open electives.

Addiction Counseling Track
SOC 366Introduction to Addictions3
SOC 367Individual Counseling in Addictions3
SOC 368Client Management Procedures3
SOC 369Pharmacology and High Risk Medical Issues3
SOC 370Addictions Counseling with Families3
SOC 371Ethics in Addictions Counseling3
SOC 372Psychopathology and Addictions3
SOC 373Group Counseling with Addiction Populations3
SOC 377Addictions Practicum I3
SOC 378Addictions Practicum II3
Total Hours30
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area 3
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
COMM 100 Fundamentals of Oral Communication 3
UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar 1
SOC 140 Understanding Society: Introductory Sociology 3
 Hours13
Spring
SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Personal and Professional Development 3
SGE040 - Natural Physical Science Discipline Area 4
ENG 102 English Composition II 3
SOC 145 Cultural Anthropology 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall
SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area 3
SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area 3
SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Critical Thinking 3
SOC 472 Social Inequality 3
SOC 470 Grant Writing 3
 Hours15
Spring
SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area 3
SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area 3
Directed Electives 3
Directed Electives 3
Open Electives 4
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall
SOC 362 Methods of Social Research 3
SOC 361 Sociological Theory and Literature 3
Directed Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours15
Spring
SOC 621 Advanced Sociological Research 3
Directed Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
Directed Electives 3
Directed Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours15
Spring
Directed Electives 3
Directed Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
Open Electives 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.

To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.

The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.