BA Sociology

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is an innovative program with emphasis on population health and quantitative demographic information - studying people and the community around them. The degree provides fundamental knowledge and problem-solving skills for those who wish to learn the practice of sociology.

Degree Plans and Course Descriptions

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Sociology Minor
• Public Health Minor

Violence Prevention and Intervention Certificate

The Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI) certificate program educates students about the evolution and cycles of violence in families, systems, and the broader culture. The combination of courses from sociology, psychology, criminal justice and social work provide students with a broad sense of knowledge when it comes to learning about basic intervention techniques for families exposed to violence and studying the effects of violence on women, children and the community.

Violence Prevention and Intervention Certificate degree plan and course descriptions

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

The Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's (ABM) program allows undergraduate students in the sociology program to begin completing requirements for a master's degree during their senior year. By pursuing the accelerated program, students are able to complete a master's degree quicker and cheaper than those who choose the traditional track.

Students in the ABM programs are required to complete the same number of credits as those pursuing the traditional tracks. The difference arises in that students are able to complete several master's program courses while simultaneously completing the final requirements for their bachelor's degree. The courses will count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Through the ABM program, students take their graduate-level courses at the undergraduate tuition rate.

Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements to apply for an ABM program:

• Current OLLU student
• 3.0 overall GPA
• 3.0 GPA in their major
• Completed 75 credit hours at the time of application
• Completed 90 credit hours prior to enrolling in their first graduate course
• Endorsements submitted by two faculty members

Restrictions

• Students may take no more than six credit hours of graduate courses in a semester depending on the program.
• Students must be concurrently enrolled in at least six credit hours of undergraduate courses.
• Students must receive a B or better in graduate courses in order for the course to count toward a master's degree (courses with a grade lower than B will need to be repeated in the master's program).
• Student must receive a grade of C or better for graduate courses to count toward the undergraduate major.

Students who are interested in learning more about the ABM program should contact the department chair for the program they wish to pursue. 

Download ABM Application

Experiential Learning

OLLU's sociology program is unique because of its curriculum, which emphasizes practice and experiential learning. Students take courses where they can conduct community projects in order to enhance learning and prepare them for their career or graduate school. Through their practicum course, students are paired up with research projects and organizations that are related to health care, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and business. These practice opportunities give students invaluable experience they can carry into the job market. 

Research Opportunities 

Students will study the behavior and interactions of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members. By focusing activities on health, immigrant issues, demographic patterns, social science and social services, the program provides students with a wealth of knowledge and skills they can take into their careers.

Graduate and Professional School Preparation

The sociology program also makes students more competitive in STEM fields by teaching them to think critically, identify ethical issues in research, evaluate different research methods and interpret the results of data gathering, among other skills, 

Recent changes in the requirements for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) call for more training in sociology and other social sciences. Specifically, the emphasis calls for courses in sociology that prepare medical students to understand the contextual influences on health-related behaviors, also known as the "social determinant model." This model has been taught in the OLLU sociology program for years. It is also the model faculty use in their research and work in the community. 

Learn from Nationally-Recognized Faculty

The sociology faculty is comprised of a diverse group who are nationally recognized and committed to educational excellence. Students learn from professors who are practicing sociologists and continue to conduct research regularly.

Faculty expertise ranges from migration and immigration to public health and the sociology of health. Their connection with the community further enhances the opportunities for students who work with their professors on research projects.