What you will study
You’ll take courses in UCM’s Sociology minor program that focus on important topics
such as wealth and poverty, the impact of culture, education, gender, immigration,
globalization and more.
In 18 credit hours, you’ll build an appreciation for what makes up the social world
around you through lectures, discussions and engaging activities in popular courses
such as:
- Culture and Society
- Institutions and Social Action
- Outsiders and Outcasts
- Popular Culture
- Protests, Social Movements and Social Change
- Social Deviance
- Society and Self
Through these classes and others, you’ll develop knowledge about key social issues
and learn how to apply it contextually to your undergraduate major. For example, Criminal Justice and Criminology majors can better understand how deviance is defined and how it impacts the prison
system. Political Science majors could gain more context for contemporary issues of homelessness and how it
impacts related legislation. Communication Studies majors may benefit from an increased awareness of social issues to make informed
decisions on how to approach a media event or cover a news story.
In the end, the Sociology minor prepares you to stand out in your future career and
sets you up for impactful organizational leadership.
Learn more about Sociology through , a publication by the American Sociological Association that discusses a wide variety
of 'hot topics' including politics, gender, equality, and the environment.
Unique learning opportunities in the Sociology minor
Get the most from the undergraduate program coursework by applying your new knowledge
and skills both inside and outside the classroom. The University of Central Missouri
offers a number of ways for you to flex what you learn in your Sociology minor classes.
- Undergraduate research: Learn from a faculty mentor about how to apply sociological theories to research in
your primary field of study. You might even get to present your work to the campus
and greater academic communities.
- Volunteer work: Donate your time to a local organization that could benefit from your expertise and
skills. Volunteering is a great way to gain first-hand knowledge of community needs
while giving back to others.
What can you do with a minor in Sociology from UCM?
Make yourself more marketable with a minor in Sociology from the University of Central
Missouri. Stand out in the hiring process in a wide range of fields due to the highly
relevant knowledge you’ll develop, including analytical skills, appreciation for diversity,
communication skills and societal context.
Past students with a background in sociology were prepared to immediately enter their
professional careers or continue on to graduate school.
Make a difference and find success in fields such as:
- Fundraising
- Health care
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Public relations
- Social services
Job opportunities for Sociology minors
Use the interactive tool below to learn about the different job opportunities, salary
expectations and employment projections for jobs related to sociology.
Financial assistance options for your Sociology minor
Get a high-value education at the University of Central Missouri. In addition to affordable
tuition, we offer a variety of ways to help you finance your undergraduate studies, including:
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Loan options
- Tuition awards
In fact, UCM has been recognized by LendEDU as a top-ranked university for low student
debt. That means you graduate with high earning potential without a lot of loans to
repay.
Another way we put your college education within reach is by offering scholarships
exclusively to students in certain undergraduate degree programs. Visit your primary
major’s program page to learn more about additional scholarships and awards that may
be available to you. You can also learn more about program-specific scholarships at
the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Dr. Karen Bradley
Expert in applied sociology
Dr. Bradley is a UCM professor and coordinator of the undergraduate Sociology program.
She focuses her research on the social production of knowledge, specifically where
religion, science and culture are concerned. She brings her experience with environmental
organizations, schools and churches to the classroom and course learning activities.
Meet Our Faculty
Meet Tyler J.
BA English ’22
“I chose to minor in Sociology because I was pulled aside by a professor my freshman
year and told that I had a knack for the subject. She asked what my major was, and
we agreed that Sociology would help me with English by expanding on how the world
around an author influences their writing and on how Sociology can help me craft well-rounded
characters.”
Meet Dr. Kamel Ghozzi
Expert in global political movements
Dr. Ghozzi brings his involvement in Tunisian political movements and global political
issues to his courses on social theory. A native of Tunisia, he uses his experiences
to inform his teaching and research on social inequalities, cultural sociology and
social development and change.
Meet Sarah C.
BS Communication Studies ’22
“Sociology is a way to better understand each other and why/how we all work within
our society. I am a Communications major with a concentration in Relational Communication,
which focuses on how we communicate in relation to others. Some of the classes you
take in my major include intercultural communication, gender communication and race
and ethnic relations, which fit well with the Sociology minor.”
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