COURSE CURRICULUM

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology at Wichita State University requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and combines university-wide general education requirements with Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences competencies and a structured sociology major designed to build strong analytical and research skills. The major emphasizes the systematic study of society through a core sequence of required courses that introduce students to foundational concepts and methods in the discipline. Students begin with SOC 111 Introduction to Sociology, which provides a broad overview of social structures, institutions, and human interaction. They then progress into more advanced coursework, including SOC 311 Introduction to Sociological Theory, which explores major theoretical frameworks used to interpret social behavior, SOC 312 Introduction to Social Research, which focuses on research design and methodology, and SOC 313 Introduction to Social Statistics, which develops quantitative skills for analyzing social data. The program culminates in SOC 514 Sociology Capstone, where students integrate theoretical knowledge and research skills to complete a final academic project demonstrating their understanding of sociological inquiry. In addition to these core requirements, students complete 15 credit hours of sociology electives, allowing them to explore specialized topics and tailor their studies to specific interests within the field, such as inequality, institutions, health, or urban studies. The remaining credits are fulfilled through open electives, enabling flexibility for double majors or complementary academic interests in fields like psychology, criminal justice, political science, business, or public health. Overall, the structure of the BA in Sociology at Wichita State is designed to progressively build students’ abilities in critical thinking, theory application, and empirical research, preparing them for careers in social services, government, nonprofit organizations, or for continued graduate study in sociology and related disciplines.