Sociology


By exploring people, cultures, and environments, you learn to navigate the many facets of crime, poverty, and inequity. At St. Ambrose, our Sociology program helps you understand our broad world and the forces that shape life. It's an education that empowers confidence and inspires action to address some of the most challenging issues of our time.

Our graduates work in a variety of areas, such as aging, education, physical and mental health, criminal justice, and advocacy. Some of the employers are Generations Area Agency on Aging, Robert Young Center, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Shorewood, IL Elementary school, and Iowa Department of Corrections..


Ambrose Advantages

  • Tough Topics, Open Discussions
  • Relevant Education & Strategies
  • Hands-On Research Opportunities
  • Adaptable Liberal Arts Foundation

Students in classroom

Students outside talking

Students in Beehive

Social forces continue to evolve and ignite, and at SAU, we hit those subjects head-on. Our Sociology faculty are committed to providing you with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to understand, challenge, and solve social problems – today and tomorrow.

See our sociology major fact sheet (pdf)


Bee the Difference

We make an impact on campus and in the community. In 2018, more than 600 students took part in Bee the Difference Day and helped 120 campus neighbors get their yards ready for winter. It is work, fun – and so rewarding.


More Information on the Sociology Program

What will I learn?

You will analyze major social problems including racism and poverty, learn the theories of addiction, perspectives on death and dying, and about environmental justice. Courses include cultural anthropology, self and society, deviant behavior, social organizations, sex and gender, sociology of religion, race and ethnicity, and conflict resolution.

After completing two foundation courses, you can take part in research. In the third year, you can conduct field research, and some students choose to do an independent study.

Our Sociology curriculum provides a flexible and adaptable liberal arts foundation. This allows you to professionally understand - and survive - our constantly changing world.

What are some of my unique learning opportunities?

With our new Dual Degree program, you can earn a BA in Sociology and a second degree in Social Work, in four years. And if your goal is to earn a graduate degree, you may qualify for advanced standing in our MSW program. In five years, you can earn two undergraduate degrees and a Master of Social Work.

At SAU, we believe in exploration and the power it has to shape you, personally and professionally. We challenge you with transformative experiences that can deepen your appreciation and understanding of different cultures. Learn more about Study Abroad programs.

Widen your worldview by attending student, university and community events, lectures, and discussions on topics that touch lives here and across the world.

Service is fundamental to who we are as a university. At SAU, you can see the world through the eyes of a refugee by helping one acclimate to life in the U.S. Give a few hours to help campus neighbors prepare their homes for winter, clean litter from an iconic river, stand with your peers to advance social justice. Service expands your vision and understanding of the world, your community, and yourself. It is a perfect fit with Sociology. Start now

If service is included in your future plans, we are one of few universities in Iowa offering Peace Corps Prep, a program that can make you a stronger candidate for volunteer positions within the Peace Corps or other service programs. You'll gain skills and a cultural worldview that employers value and best of all, most students can earn the certificate - awarded by the Peace Corps - without taking extra courses. Peace Corps Prep is a competitive edge that sets you apart and broadens your opportunities, no matter what path you choose. Click here to learn more or contact your faculty advisor.

Isabel Watt's St. Ambrose education and experience was transformative. In four years, she grew from her self-description of "naive" to an educated and dedicated social justice advocate who knows who she is, for what she stands, and the unlimited potential she holds and will pursue. In December 2019, Isabel graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree and a second major in Theology. Read her story.

Olivia Bratt ‘15 was active and involved at SAU. Read this story about her experience and achievements.

What are some potential career opportunities?

Because sociologists address some of the most challenging issues of our time, it is an expanding field and fully open to those who craft policies and create programs. Sociology majors have excellent social research skills that are highly valued by public, private, or nonprofit organizations. You can also apply those sociological perspectives in the fields of business, healthcare, criminal justice, social services, and government.

Other career paths include human resources, marketing, and public relations.

Your sociology degree is a strong academic base for advanced degrees in sociology, social work, law, and counseling, which expand your career opportunities.

WHAT HAVE ALUMNI OF THIS PROGRAM DONE?
  • Tonya Boots '15 is attending Loyola University in Chicago.
  • James Yost '14 is employed at ISACorps, an Illinois state agency outreach group that assists students with as much of the college process as possible. Part of his responsibilities involves giving presentations and mentoring students at high schools throughout the state.
  • Kaitlyn Koniuszy '11, earned her MSW at St. Ambrose University in 2014 and works at Children's Home + Aid in Belleville, Illinois, as an Adoption Preservation Therapist.
  • Spencer Hill '10 is a Product Analyst at Allsteel in Muscatine, Iowa.
Faculty

Nicole Pizzini, PhD, Chair and Professor
Chris Barnum, PhD, Professor
Regina Matheson, PhD, Professor
Zachary Carlisle, PhD, Assistant Professor
Jeffrey McCraw, JD, Lecturer

What have alumni of this program done?
  • Tonya Boots '15 is attending Loyola University in Chicago.
  • James Yost '14 is employed at ISACorps, an Illinois state agency outreach group that assists students with as much of the college process as possible. Part of his responsibilities involves giving presentations and mentoring students at high schools throughout the state.
  • Kaitlyn Koniuszy '11, earned her MSW at St. Ambrose University in 2014 and works at Children's Home + Aid in Belleville, Illinois, as an Adoption Preservation Therapist.
  • Spencer Hill '10 is a Product Analyst at Allsteel in Muscatine, Iowa.     

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology (31 credits)

View Sociology courses and descriptions in the course catalog

Required:
+SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 200 Research Methods in Sociology and Criminal Justice
SOC 301 Sociological Theory
SOC 407 Seminar in Sociology
SOC 430 Data Analysis in Social Research (4 credits)

At least one course from each of the following categories:
Self and Society: SOC 220, 235, 375
Social Organization and Change: SOC 210, 260, 360
Structures or Opportunity and Inequality: SOC 325, 340, 350, 365

Electives:
An additional six credits of sociology 

Minor in Sociology (15 credits)

Requirements for a Sociology Minor:
15 semester credits of sociology, including SOC 101, and an additional 12 credits of sociology with at least 3 credits at the 300-level.

 

Electives:
An additional three credits of sociology
+ = satisfies general education requirement

Click here to read course descriptions for Sociology

Plan to Graduate

This is the suggested plan of study to graduate in four years with a degree in Sociology. This plan assumes the student has not satisfied the foreign language requirement of taking three years of foreign language in high school.

Year One

FallCRSpringCR
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3 SOC 220, 235, or 375* Or SOC 210, 260, 360* 3
ENGL 101 English Composition 3 Oral Communication (COMM 129, 132, 230, 228, or 329) 3
Philosophy/Theology 3 Elective/2nd Major/Minor Course* 3
Foreign Language 101 3 Foreign Language 102 3
NSS 101 New Student Seminar 1 Math 131 or 171 3
IL 101 Information Literacy 1 KIN 149 Wellness Concepts 1
Total Credits 14 Total Credits 16

Year Two

FallCRSpringCR
SOC 220, 235, or 375* Or SOC 210, 260, 360* 3 SOC 325, 340, 350, or 365* 3
SOC 200* 3 SOC 430 (prereq SOC 200) 4
Elective/2nd Major/Minor Course 3 Elective/2nd Major/Minor Course 3
#Humanities 3 Creative Arts 3
Natural Science 3 Philosophy/Theology 3
KIN Activity 1-2
Total Credits 16-17 Total Credits 16

Year Three

FallCRPre-reqSpringCR
SOC 301 Sociological Theory 3 9 credits from SOC, ENGL 101 Sociology elective* 3
Electives/2nd Major/Minor Courses* 9 Electives/2nd Major/Minor Courses* 9
PHIL/THEO 3 #Humanities 3
Total Credits 15 Total Credits 15

Year Four

FallCRSpringCRPre-req
Sociology elective* 3 SOC 407 Seminar in Sociology 3 SOC 301, SOC 430, ENGL 101
Electives/2nd Major/Minor Courses* 9 Elective/2nd Major/Minor Course* 9
PHIL/THEO 300+ 3
Total Credits 15 Total Credits 15

*Needs SOC 101 as prerequisite
# Humanities courses must be from two different departments

BSW-Sociology Dual Degree Program

With our new Dual Degree program, you can earn a BA in Sociology and a second degree in Social Work. 

We've created a dual degree program that allows you to earn a degree in Sociology and second degree in Social Work, both in four years. This well-integrated program connects the two degrees and leads to a successful career.

Our 32-credit hour BSW program focuses on generalist practice, which means you'll gain skills that allow you to practice in various settings: hospitals, clinical settings, schools, social service agencies, and more. You'll build social work practice skills that encompass an empowerment philosophy and allow you to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in a variety of settings with diverse populations.  

You'll take part in a culminating experience and internship. Our BSW students complete 400 hours of fieldwork, which lets you apply what you've learned in the classroom in real-world situations before graduation. You'll get to explore your interests, strengths, and fit within the diverse field of social work. In addition, your BSW could lead to advanced standing in our accredited MSW program, which means you could earn your graduate degree in one year, instead of two. That makes your education more accelerated and affordable.

Talk to your advisor for more information.

Dual Degree Plan of Study

This is the suggested Plan to Graduate in four years with a BSW degree with a major in Sociology. This plan assumes you haven't satisfied the foreign language requirement (three years of foreign language in high school).

First Year

FallCreditsSpringCredits
KIN 149 Wellness Concepts 1 SOC 220 Self and Society 3
MATH 171 Elem. Functions 3 Humanities 3
Foreign Language 101 3 Foreign Language 102 3
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3 IL 101 Info Lit 1
THEO/PHIL 100-200 3 PSCI American Gov't 3
ENGL 101 Composition 3 COMM 129, 132, 203, 228, or 329 3
Total 16 Total 16

Sophomore Year

FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 101+Lab Principles of Biology 4 SOC 430+Lab Data Analysis in Social Research 4
SOC 200 Research Methods 3 Humanities 3
SOC 260 Social Organization 3 SOC Elective 3
SWK 201 Intro to Social Work 3 SOC 340 Race and Ethnicity 3
THEO/PHIL 100-200 3 THEO/PHIL/Catholic Studies/Peace & Justice 3
Total 16 Total 16

Junior Year

FallCreditsSpringCredits
Elective 3 SWK 310 Social Welfare and Policy 3
SWK 330 Generalist Practice I: Individuals 3 SWK 333 Generalist Practice II 3
Creative Arts 3 THEO/PHIL/Cath Studies/Peace & Justice 300-Level 3
SWK 360 Diversity 3 SOC Elective 3
SWK 320 HBSE I: Birth to Adolescence 3 SWK 325 HBSE II: Families and Groups 3
Total 15 Total 15

Senior Year

FallCreditsSpringCredits
SWK 400 Field Instruction I 3 SWK 336 Generalist Practice III 3
SWK 402 Field Seminar I 1 SWK 401 Field Instruction II 3
WI-SWK 340 Social Work Research  3 SWK 403 Field Seminar II 1
WI-SOC 301 Sociological Theory 3 WI-SOC 407 Seminar 3
KIN Activity 1 Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 14 Total 13 

Total Credits: 121

WI=writing intensive


Mikka Mills '16


At St. Ambrose, Mikka discovered her deep passion for social justice. She hosted events to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and programs to promote self-confidence and self-actualization. For all of that, and so much more, she was awarded the Undergraduate Social Action Award from the Sociologists for Women in Society. SAU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion enhanced her own sense of empowerment. "The space provided by St. Ambrose and the support for our programs is amazing," she said.

Read Mikka's Story
Isabel Watts - Mobile image Isabel Watts headshot

Isabel Watts

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology and Theology,Graduate student,Class of 2019


At St. Ambrose University, Isabel became an educated and dedicated social justice advocate who knows who she is, for what she stands, and the unlimited potential she holds and will pursue.

See My Story

Apply Visit Info

Contact


Nicole Pizzini, PhD, Chairperson

Sociology and Criminal Justice
Ambrose Hall 300B
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6156
PizziniNicoleJ@sau.edu

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