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Sociology, B.A. / B.S.

College of Arts and Sciences

Prepare to impact the world by understanding how society and inequality shape the lives and outcomes of individuals and groups. Gain the research, communication and analytical skills that allow you to succeed in many careers.

Sociology students gain transferable skills to work in professions devoted to improving opportunities for people, including education, law, social work, counseling, health care, nonprofits and government agencies. We offer a B.A. degree focused on communicating effectively and a B.S. degree more focused on research careers.

Program Highlights

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    Research Opportunities

    Work in a world-class experimental research lab where students can engage in original research with faculty members.

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    Optional Honors

    Complete a capstone independent research course to earn the optional Distinction in Sociology with your degree.

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    Awards Available

    Apply for a department fellowship opportunity of $1,500 in support of undergraduate research with a faculty member.

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    Marketable Skills

    Analyze data using statistical tools, design research, apply critical thinking, and solve problems creatively.

What You’ll Study

Learn to analyze and interpret data using statistical tools, and contribute to conversations surrounding gender and racial discrimination, class, poverty and other social inequalities. Along with the Carolina Core courses, you'll study sociological research methods, statistics and sociological theory and complete a capstone research project.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Data Analysis

    Examining and interpreting information to uncover insights and inform decision making

    Social Awareness

    Considering the perspectives and experiences of other individuals, groups or communities

    Analytical Reasoning

    Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions

  • Critical Thinking

    Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

    Understand Complexity

    Analyzing and synthesizing information to identify patterns and connections

    Research

    Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

  • Teacher
  • Marketer
  • Researcher
  • Government Worker
  • Non-profit Worker
  • Law Enforcement

Workplace Settings

  • Government
  • Marketing
  • Education
  • Research
  • Nonprofits
  • Law Enforcement

The sociology program here is built on furthering students’ sociological imagination to help better understand the growing world around us. The professors build a diverse, effective learning environment, and it’s exciting to be able to conduct research in areas that you want to understand deeper.

Kevin Carson
Portrait of Kevin Carson

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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