Georgia Southern University

What you'll study

The sociology degree combines core theory with applied methods to help you analyse patterns of social life, institutions and inequality. Early coursework introduces classical and contemporary sociological theory, social research methods and introductory statistics. As you progress you study substantive areas such as social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, family and childhood, urban and community sociology, deviance and criminology, and the sociology of work.

Typical modules and experiences include:

• Foundations of Sociology: classical and modern theorists, sociological imagination and institutions.
• Research Methods and Statistics: survey design, qualitative methods, basic inferential statistics and data analysis using common software tools.
• Specialist Topics: courses on race and ethnicity, gender and society, social inequality, criminology, health and illness, and ageing.
• Applied and Experiential Learning: community-based practicum, internships with local agencies, service-learning projects and opportunities for fieldwork in urban and rural settings.
• Capstone or Senior Seminar: integrative project or research paper demonstrating applied understanding of sociological concepts and methods.

Students may also pursue electives or a minor in complementary areas such as criminal justice, public health, psychology, political science or geographic information systems to tailor the degree toward particular career goals. Opportunities exist to participate in faculty-led research, present at conferences, and engage with community partners across the university's campuses.

Entry requirements

Admission to the bachelor’s programme is through Georgia Southern University's general undergraduate admissions process. Applicants are expected to hold a high-school diploma or equivalent and meet the university’s overall admissions standards. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of academic preparation, course-taking pattern, letters of recommendation and personal statements.

Typical preparation for the programme includes college-preparatory subjects in social studies, English and mathematics; prior coursework in statistics or science is helpful but not required. Standardised tests may be optional or considered as part of the application depending on current university policy. Transfer students with college credit can apply to transfer hours; major-specific advising will evaluate how previous coursework fits the sociology curriculum.

Career prospects

Graduates with a sociology degree develop strong analytical, research and communication skills valued across sectors. Common career paths include roles in social and human services, community and non-profit organisations, case management, youth and family services, and programme coordination. The degree also prepares students for employment in criminal justice and corrections, victim advocacy, and probation services.

Other opportunities include positions in market and social research, public policy and advocacy, human resources, diversity and inclusion roles, and public health programme delivery. Many graduates go on to pursue postgraduate study in sociology, social work, public health, law, education or policy-related disciplines; the programme’s research and methods training provides solid preparation for graduate-level research.

Why study at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern offers a sociology programme with a balance of theoretical grounding and hands-on experience, supported by faculty who are active in research and community engagement. Small to mid-sized class settings allow for close interaction with instructors and faculty mentoring for student research projects.

The university’s multi-campus structure and regional partnerships provide a variety of internship and practicum placements with local governments, non-profits and community organisations, enabling applied learning in both urban and rural environments. Students benefit from advising and career services focused on internships, undergraduate research opportunities and preparation for graduate study or professional careers.

Overall, the programme emphasises practical skills in research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and community-focused experience, equipping graduates to address social challenges locally and beyond.