Sociology Major

Department of Sociology

(440) 826-2161

OVERVIEW

The complexities of terrorism, racial inequality, economic disparity and changing family dynamics can be evaluated through the multiple lenses of sociology.

Baldwin Wallace's sociology program is a comprehensive, versatile major. It offers outstanding preparation for professional and graduate school studies, as well as workplace opportunities.

It combines rigorous coursework with practical experiences. You'll study both broad and narrow social phenomena, issues and problems. Current topics bring relevance to your studies and foster multi-dimensional perspectives for understanding evolving social patterns.

Strong academics, individual attention and faculty mentoring are at the core of the program. Scientific research, field experiences and internships offer additional benefits.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Social worker
Business leader
Urban planner
Criminologist
Survey researcher
Marketing consultant
Data analyst
Attorney
Counselor

SOCIAL WORK OPPORTUNITIES

BW's 3+2 social work program leads to a bachelor's degree from Baldwin Wallace and a master's degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in only five years. Graduates holding a master's degree in social work and the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) certification are fully qualified to supervise social service casework, manage social service agencies and enter into a private practice in counseling.

DIVERSE FIELD OF STUDY

Sociology is the study of social institutions, interactions and human behavior. Whereas psychology is the study of what goes on inside individuals, sociology addresses what goes on between them. Sociologists seek to understand a range of human relationships, including:

Changing forms of the family
Socio-economic and social class stratification
Racial and ethnic group relations
Changing gender roles
Causes of crime and the treatment of criminals
Patterns of drug and alcohol use
Social change
Workings of complex organizations
Functioning of modern society as a whole, both on an internal and a cross-cultural basis

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A TEACHER?

If you would like to become a social studies teacher, BW has an outstanding teacher education program.

Sociology students and Professor Betsy Ross

Disability awareness exercise gives BW students a reality check December 3

An ADA learning activity designed by a former student gives students an eye-opening taste of what it's like to navigate campus in a wheelchair.

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BW Study Abroad Program

BW study abroad offers introspective lens to learning September 5

This summer, 136 students and faculty members made their global footprint across 10 countries and three continents as part of study abroad.

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Campus signage with wording about BW Excellence

BW awards recognize professors for excellence August 30

BW faculty members have been awarded top honors for their achievements.

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CURRICULUM

Offered as a major and minor, sociology combines strong theoretical knowledge with dynamic experiential learning.

BW's flexible program enables you to tailor studies to your areas of interest. Students majoring in sociology generally select one of four broad career paths:

Business - sales, marketing, human relations
Government agency and urban planning
Social services in the private sector that includes work with children and the elderly
Professional sociologist - who teaches at a university level, conducts research or consults for business and nonprofit organizations

Sociology can be an excellent companion field of study. It often is chosen as a second major or minor for students interested in criminal justice, psychology, business, economics, public health, biology and others.

An optional five-year social work affiliated program enables you to earn a bachelor's degree from BW and a master's degree from Case Western Reserve University.

The sociology major prepares students to:

Analyze and explain the ways groups, societies and cultures address human needs and concerns
Explain and apply ideas, theories, and modes of inquiry drawn from sociology in the examination of persistent issues and social problems
Acquire social science research and data analysis skills, and to be able to apply these in everyday situations
Be aware of global conditions that affect us, and to be able to formulate prescriptions for issues that tend to persist
Explain conditions and motivations that contribute to conflict, cooperation, and interdependence among groups, societies, and nations
Analyze and evaluate the effects of changing conditions of the global community

Affiliated 3+2 Social Work Program Leading to MSW

BW's affiliated social work program enables students to earn a bachelor's degree from BW and a master's degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in only five years.

Earn Your Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

BW’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) offers sociology program graduates an opportunity to earn a master’s degree in 24 months through a full-time cohort program. The CMHC program prepares students to become licensed professional counselors (LPC), working with clients to improve their mental health and well-being. Learn more.

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities that include:

INTERNSHIPS/FIELD EXPERIENCES

BW's 20-minute proximity to Cleveland puts you within easy access to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, medical centers, research facilities, businesses and more.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent study offers students enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom for individualized and advanced study. Students work one-on-one with a faculty member.

RESEARCH

BW's sociology department offers an impressive computer lab where you can analyze data and test out hypotheses, in addition to doing other types of academic work.

STUDENT CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Personally and professionally rewarding, student organizations and activities foster skills in leadership and teamwork. Opportunities include:

Sociology/Criminal Justice/Forensic Science Club
Through educational and social activities, this organization provides opportunities for students to gain experience in and exposure to the criminal justice and sociology fields.

At the annual Honors Ceremony in the spring, student scholastic recognitions include:

Alpha Kappa Delta
The International Sociology Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta acknowledges and promotes excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities leading to improvement in the human condition.

Pi Gamma Mu
The International Social Science Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu encourages and recognizes superior scholarship in social science disciplines and fosters cooperation and social service among its members.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

At Baldwin Wallace, you'll experience personal and professional growth in a supportive community that challenges and inspires you to succeed.

Graduates of the sociology program are employed in guidance and counseling, sales and management positions and government agencies as diverse as Job and Family Services and the CIA.

Other individuals have been accepted to top graduate schools in the country. Alumni with master's degrees and doctorates can be found in research and teaching positions at businesses and universities and working as licensed social workers and counselors.