Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behavior.
Sociologists study patterns of interaction among people with an emphasis on how their beliefs and actions are influenced by various groups, institutions, and the broader societal forces of contemporary life. More than just a course of study, sociology is a way of thinking, a worldview that enables students to understand the social order in which they live and predict its future trends and problems. Thorough undergraduate training in sociology provides the basis for both vocational and general life purposes, especially for careers in the social service professions where a solid background in the social sciences is expected or preferred. The student who earns the B.A. degree in sociology is prepared to enter graduate or professional school to work for a higher academic or professional degree. The degree program in sociology consists of 35 credit hours of sociology courses, with Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, Development of Social Thought, Statistics, and Research Methods required.