Why study Sociology
A degree in Sociology and Community Development prepares you for careers in a wide variety of fields including social services, social science research, social media analysis, human resources, community advocacy, criminology, or social justice (among many others). Sociology offers a solid foundation for a thriving career path, with sociologists today earning a median annual wage of $98,590, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to gaining knowledge in specific areas such as sociology of race, class, gender, families, communities, immigration, and social movements, you will gain skills employers are looking for including social research design, data analysis, equity and inclusion awareness and critical thinking.
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Community Development can be completed 100% online and is designed to rapidly progress students through the curriculum regardless of their entry point into the major. The APSU Department of Sociology and Community Development has smaller classes compared to many larger universities and our seminar-style courses encourage the free exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives. Moreover, we have a strong record of placing students in highly competitive, nationally recognized graduate programs and excellent organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Amazon, Humana, and the Sexual Assault Center of Nashville (among many others).
Students who are passionate about social change and community improvement are excellent candidates for this major. Students who want to implement a scientific approach and data analysis tools to understand and better society will benefit from a degree in Sociology and Community Development.
The Department of Sociology and Community Development has experienced faculty who hold doctoral degrees and are nationally recognized in the field. Faculty have a wide range of expertise, including in the areas of race, class, gender, family dynamics, environmental sociology, immigration, social movements, and political economy. The Sociology and Community Development faculty at APSU are deeply committed to teaching and mentoring sociology majors at Austin Peay. We award competitive scholarships to our majors each semester, a testament to the quality of students that graduate from our programs.
What will I learn
- Students are able to identify perspectives on human behavior that are sociological
- Students are able to describe the role of theory in sociology
- Students are able to articulate the role of social research methods in sociology
- Students are able to analyze and interpret data in sociology
- Students are able to define and illustrate key sociological concepts
- Students are able to summarize basic knowledge, questions, and issues in substantive areas of sociology
- Students can identify the macro / micro distinction
- Students can apply critical thinking skills
- Students can plan for subsequent education and employment