Everyone is part of multiple social groups. Your local community, your ethnic group, your religious organization, your workplace, your team, your family - these are all examples of groups to which you might belong. The Sociology major at UWM offers students a chance to better understand these groups and the people within them. Students explore the social causes and consequences of human behavior, including topics such as political movements, population shifts, housing patterns, racism, gender inequality, the legal system, the medical profession, crime, families, sexuality, workplace organization, food cultures, and more.
UWM students in Sociology can customize their major. Beyond the core courses that all majors take, students have many electives to choose from. They can take a broad array of courses or become more specialized by choosing electives focused around particular topics of interest. Our graduates are known for their strong knowledge of the field as well as exceptional technical skills that are highly desirable. Sociology is a social science and relies on data, statistics and research to form theories and draw conclusions. Students in UWM's Sociology program learn how to process, analyze and synthesize large volumes of information in a logical and consistent manner using the latest software tools, a skill that has gotten them noticed by employers from businesses and government agencies that rely on data to make informed decisions.
Sociology is also one of UWM’s majors available entirely online for students that wish to earn their degree from a distance. All classes required for the major can be taken online, or students can mix-and-match and take some online and some traditional classes. Many sociology courses are cross-listed with other certificate programs and interdepartmental majors.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses.
The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. The College also requires that students complete at least 30 credits overall in residence at UWM. For additional residency and transfer credit limitations, see L&S Undergraduate Policies and Regulations.
Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
University General Education Requirements (GER)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Part A | ||
| Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course: | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (or equivalent) | |
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Part A | ||
| Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) | ||
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II | ||
| Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | ||
or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| College Algebra | ||
Or equivalent course | ||
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab) | 6 | |
| UWM Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete Foreign Language Requirement through: | ||
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language | ||
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language | ||
Or equivalent | ||
| UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement | ||
- 1
Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
The degree requirements in the College of Letters and Science build on the University General Education Requirements to provide a broad base of knowledge as well as an array of skills cited by employers as critical to professional success: critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication, ability to work well with others, and adaptability to change.
For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), you must complete the UWM General Education Requirements as well as these L&S requirements: the International requirement, the Breadth requirement, and the Research requirement. The International requirement develops your potential for cross-cultural understanding in a globalizing world. The Breadth requirement ensures that you take classes in a wide variety of subjects, across humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The Research requirement calls for you to build your critical thinking and oral and written communication skills through conducting an independent research project, usually in your major.
For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) you will also complete the Language other than English requirement, to further develop your understanding of cultures through language.
I. Total Credits and Upper-Division Courses Requirement
Students must complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses.
II. Language other than English Requirement
Students doing the BA must fulfill the language other than English requirement by either successfully completing the fourth semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English, or by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in two languages other than English (including all world languages and American Sign Language).
Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement.
Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Language other than English GER, but not vice versa.
III. International Requirement
To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete some three course (minimum 9 credits) combination of
- language other than English (not including American Sign Language) at 3rd semester level or above, and/or
- non-language courses with L&S approved international content (see Courses Approved for the L&S International Requirement for course options).
IV. Breadth Requirement
In addition to completing the University General Education Requirements, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 6 credits each in L&S courses designated L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences breadth. One of the L&S Natural Science breadth courses must be a laboratory or fieldwork course. These courses must be beyond and in addition to courses in those areas used to satisfy General Education Requirements.
Please refer to the list of Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement.
V. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VI. The Minor
Students are encouraged to consider completing a minor, but it is not required. To complete a minor, the College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. The minor must contain at least 9 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 and above) courses.
Sociology Major Requirements
Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
The major in sociology requires a minimum of 30 credits including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| SOCIOL 261 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology 1,2 | 3 |
| SOCIOL 361 | Research Methods in Sociology (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| SOCIOL 375 | Social Theory | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select 21 additional credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
PSYCH 210 shall be accepted as a substitute for SOCIOL 261 to fulfill the statistics requirement for students majoring in Sociology. With the approval of the undergraduate advisor, majors may substitute a different elementary statistics course from another discipline for the SOCIOL 261 requirement.
- 2
SOCIOL 261 fulfills the College of Letters & Science "Mathematics and Formal Reasoning" requirement AND the UWM Quantitative Literacy - B (QL-B) requirement.
At least 15 credits must be in upper-division (300 level and above) sociology courses taken in residence at UWM.
Students in the Schools of Education and Social Welfare should consult their programs regarding social science requirements.
Sociology courses often are cross-listed with several certificate programs and interdepartmental majors.
Sociology BA Learning Outcomes
The following outcomes have been identified by our faculty as key aspects of student learning in sociology:
- Appropriate Use of Sociological Concepts and Theories: Students graduating from the sociology BA program will be able to use sociological concepts and theories to examine and explain existing and emerging social patterns and to compare and assess competing explanations. [SOCIOL 375]
- Identify, Construct, and Assess Argument: Students graduating from the sociology BA program will be able to construct a logical, coherent, and persuasive argument, including one that identifies and assesses an author's main claim and subclaims. Students will be able to identify and employ credible evidence to support this argument. [SOCIOL 375]
- Research literacy: Students graduating from the sociology BA program will be able to design and evaluate social research projects, including the choice of an appropriate research subject, the systemic collection and analysis of data, and the accurate interpretation of empirical results. [SOCIOL 361]
- Quantitative Literacy: Students graduating from the sociology BA program will be able to interpret basic statistics and quantitative analysis. [SOCIOL 261]
- Career Readiness: Students graduating from the sociology BA program will be able to apply sociological knowledge and skills to address problems encountered in a range of professional work settings. [SOCIOL 261/SOCIOL 361/SOCIOL 375]
Declare Your Sociology Major with a Faculty Advisor
Advising for the major takes place within the department by a faculty member. Click on "Declare Your Major" to fill out an application to join the program. Then, a faculty advisor will review your transcript and reach out to you to let you know exactly where you are in your progress toward the degree. If you are unable to complete the online request form or for any other questions, please email sociology@uwm.edu.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to change their major should contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Honors in the Major
Sociology majors who have maintained at least a 3.000 GPA overall, a 3.500 GPA in all courses attempted for the major, and a 3.500 in all advanced-level (numbered 300 and above) courses attempted for the major are awarded the distinction “Honors in the Major” when they graduate. An "Honors in the Major" notation will appear on the student's transcript.
Sociology Honor Society & Awards
In addition, majors and minors who maintained at least a 3.300 GPA overall and a 3.000 GPA in courses taken for the major are invited to join Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology Honor Society. Sociology faculty members annually select academically talented majors or minors for both the "Distinguished Scholar Award" as well as the “Joan W. Moore Service Scholar Award.” Both awards are presented to an accomplished junior or senior in the major or minor each spring at the department’s award ceremony.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.