Bachelor of Science: Sociology
VCU
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 33 of those credits in sociology and other approved courses. The baccalaureate curriculum in sociology seeks to ensure that each student develops a solid foundation in the basic principles, theories and techniques of analysis in sociology. It also encourages students to pursue an interdisciplinary approach by incorporating course credit from closely related subject areas in other programs. Since students majoring in sociology vary in their interests and career goals, the curriculum allows for a great deal of flexibility in developing individual courses of study. Students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in sociology usually will take more than the minimum number of upper-level courses. The program provides opportunities for involvement in faculty research through its course offerings, which include independent study, internships and honors research.
An undergraduate degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions in non-profit organizations, business, and government. A bachelor's in sociology can prepare students for graduate or professional education in sociology, law, counseling, psychology, social work, medicine, education, college student personnel, higher education administration, planning, and other related fields. Many transferable skills such as analytical, organizational, research, interpersonal, computer, leadership, teamwork, and oral/written communication are associated with the sociology degree. Internships, part-time jobs, summer jobs, and/or volunteer experiences are critical to reaching career goals. Research fields of interests and gain the right skills, experiences, and advanced degrees (if necessary).
- Community Health Worker
- Human Resources Specialist
- Loss Prevention Specialist
- Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
- Research Assistant
- Sales Representative
- Social and Human Services Assistant
- Social Science Research Assistant
- Technical Writer
- Training and Development Specialist
- Counselor or Therapist
- Higher Education Administrator
- Researcher
- Social Worker
Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
- STAT 210
- Core only
- Yes
- No
- 2.0
Bachelor of Science: Sociology
Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Social Sciences)
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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Explore | Year 1 |
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Experience | Year 2 |
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MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Attend New Student Orientation.
- Register for SDV 100.
- Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112.
- Cultivate relationships with your professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
- Review VCU's Sociology Department website for course requirements and possible connections with faculty and peers.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Browse careers related to Sociology through the Virginia Wizard.
- Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
- Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on the VCU website.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic advisor.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
- Explore the VCU Sociology department website to become familiar with upcoming course offerings, syllabi and professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing for next year.
- Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU Sociology Department and consider joining a VCU club, or meeting with VCU students to make professional and personal connections.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Sociology department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
- Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
- Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
- Find out about VCU REAL.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
Bachelor of Science: Sociology
Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Social Sciences)
Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
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SDV 100 | College Success Skills | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
ENG 111 | College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
MTH 154 | Quantitative Reasoning | MATH 131 | 3 | General education |
PSY 200 | Principles of Psychology | PSYC 101 | 3 | General education |
SOC 200 | Principles of Sociology | SOCY 101 | 3 | Major |
ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
History elective | Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
Psychology elective | Select 1: PSY 215, PSY 216, PSY 230, PSY 235 | PSYC | 3 | Elective |
Science with Lab | Select 1: BIO 101, BIO 106, CHM 111, GOL 105, PHY 201 | VCU equivalent | 4 | General education |
Sociology elective | SOC 211 Principles of Anthropology | ANTH 103 | 3 | Elective |
Approved elective | MTH 245 Statistics I | STAT 210 | 3 | Major |
Humanities elective | Select 1: PHI 101, 111, 220; ART 101, 102; MUS 121; CST 151; REL 230 | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
Science with Lab | Select 1: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 106, CHM 111, CHM 112, GOL 105, PHY 201, PHY 202 | VCU equivalent | 4 | General education |
Social Science elective | Select 1: SOC 268, HIS 122, HIS 112, PLS 211, and PSY 215. | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective |
Approved elective | Select from list of Approved Electives | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective |
CST 100 | Principles of Public Speaking | SPCH 121 | 3 | Elective |
History elective | Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 | HIST | 3 | General education |
Humanities elective | ENG 200-level literature (ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252) | ENGL | 3 | General education |
Social Science elective | Select 1: GEO 210, ECO 120, ECO 201, ECO 202, PLS 135 or 211 | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective |
Approved elective | Select from list of Approved Electives | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective |
Tidewater credits transferred to VCU | 60 |
Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
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Foreign language through the 102 level (if not completed at TCC). (This requirement can be fulfilled by means of completion of the 102-level of a language or waived if the student completed up through the third level of a foreign language in high school. Additionally, language waiver and placement testing options are available for native or heritage speakers of a non-english language.) | 0 to 8 | General education | |
SOCY 202 | Foundations of Theory | 3 | Major |
SOCY 320 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 3 | Major |
SOCY 402 | Contemporary Theory | 3 | Major |
SOCY 406 | Sociology Senior Seminar | 3 | Major |
SOCY | Select six 300- to 400-level SOCY courses | 18 | Major |
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 18 | Elective | |
Open electives | 12 | Elective | |
Credits completed at VCU | 60 | ||
Bachelor's degree total | 120 |