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Social Sciences

Sociology

Welcome to the Sociology Department at Rose State College.  Our program contains three distinct programs: General Sociology, Sociology- Counseling and Social Work, and Sociology-Gender Studies. View more information on Sociology program options. 

Department Overview

The Sociology program at Rose State College is staffed by highly qualified faculty members whose broad academic and professional experiences provide students with engaging and critical perspectives in the field. The curriculum places particular emphasis on understanding social/group behaviors and their impacts on societal institutions like the family, the criminal justice system, religion, and education.

Requirements

Like many Associate degree programs, this degree program can be completed in 4 semesters if the student is enrolled full-time.  Degree Requirements (PDF)  However, few students at a community college are able to complete a degree in just two years. The Sociology program offers the flexibility you need to complete your degree, to finish what you start, and to move on with your life, whether that involves moving to a four-year institution or moving into the working world.

What Is Required of a Student?

Students will be required to take all the general education requirements for any major here on the campus. In addition to that, there are five required core courses and a variety of electives from which a student can choose. Successful students are diligent, intelligent, and interested. They have the ability to think critically and retain information, acknowledging not just the facts and figures of the social world, but also being able to integrate that to social theory.

Why Choose the General Sociology Program?

There are many practical reasons to choose a Sociology degree at Rose State College. If you cannot attend an in-class section, it is usually available to you online.

Secondly, our class sizes are small. The benefit to taking small classes with highly qualified faculty means that you get the best preparation in the field of sociology you could find.

Thirdly, our prices are low. You can find courses that will transfer easily to other institutions at prices that are lower than most institutions. Price alone is no reason to select a college, but price and quality make Rose State your college of choice.

Sociology Mentorship Program

The Rose State College Sociology department has instituted a new mentorship program to help Sociology majors by providing faculty insight into enrollment, degree management, and transferring to a four-year college.  So often, students find it difficult to decide in what classes to enroll or how to move forward after Rose State College.  With our mentoring program, a student will be able to establish a one-on-one relationship with a member of the Sociology faculty to consult for help in making decisions regarding:

  • Degree plans/options available
  • Enrollment
  • Which courses do/do not count for credit and/or transfer to another institution
  • When specific sociology courses will be offered so your rotation matches the scheduling
  • Course substitutions when necessary
  • Transfers to other institutions (deadlines, application process, etc.)
  • Applications for scholarships, workshops, presentations, and other events related to your degree

We believe this program will benefit our students and our sociology degree program to maximize the potential of both.  Please email Professor Tara Hall at tkhall@rose.edu to set up an appointment to become a part of this program. 

What is sociology?

Sociology studies the consequences of human behavior as they are related to social life and social change. Sociologists understand the depth of the human condition as it relates to the social world. Individuals are not the sole creators of their world, but are co-creators of their personal outcomes. Questions of study include how do issues of race, gender, and social class influence individual outcomes? How do cultures influence the outcomes of individuals? How do individuals respond to social change, social upheaval, and civil unrest? The subject matter for sociology is as diverse as the world itself, making this a complex but fascinating field of study. For more information on sociology, check out the American Sociological Association: http://asanet.org/

What can I do with a major in Sociology?


Sociology is an academic pursuit that trains a person in a number of important skills.

Skills associated with an Associate in Arts in Sociology:

  • Logical critical reasoning - processing critical analytical work, connecting theory to practice, thinking across multiple perspectives.
  • Communication - writing, reading, public speaking, listening and reading.
  • Interpersonal - leadership, supervising, interviewing and public relations.
  • Informational - organizing, researching, problem solving and budget management.
  • Others - designing research agendas, statistics, computer literacy, interpreting data, oral communication skills.

What can I do with a degree in Sociology?

An Associate in Arts in Sociology degree from Rose State College prepares the student for a seamless transfer to a four-year university. Students will be prepared with skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, communications, as well as writing skills and the ability to understand complex problems. These skills are highly valued by today’s employers. Many students complete their degree in Sociology and find work in a variety of fields, including social service and nonprofit work, criminal justice, education, and research.

Faculty:

Tara Hall
Tara Hall
Professor Social Sciences Department
(405) 736-0363