College of Health & Social Sciences
The Sociology program at SF State is committed to critical analysis of societies, with particular emphasis on inequalities, injustices and processes of social change. Our primary mission is to provide students with the theoretical and methodological skills needed to better understand, critique, and contribute to the worlds in which they live. The sociology major prepares students for a broad range of career paths, including employment in community-based organizations, local governments, human service agencies, and research settings. The major also provides students with a foundation to successfully pursue graduate work in multiple areas, including sociology, social work, public health, public administration, counseling, law, sexuality studies and other fields.
Students need to complete at least one Sociology course with a “C” or higher before getting into the Sociology major. That Sociology course can be completed at another college, but must show up on the student’s transcript as being completed; the course cannot be taken concurrently.
Lower division and transfer students need a 2.00 GPA in order to be admitted into the major.
Students can take Sociology elective courses before declaring the major, but not Sociology core courses.
The major requires five core courses (19 units) taken in sequence, plus 23 units of elective courses. It takes a minimum of three semesters to complete the five core courses and students typically do not get into the first core course until they are second semester juniors.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy-to-follow semester-by-semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
Department of Sociology and Sexuality Studies
HSS Building, Room 370
Phone: (415) 338-1466
Email: sociol@sfsu.edu
Website: https://sociology.sfsu.edu/
Chair: Karen Hossfeld
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D
|
Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
No lower-division major classes
|
- |
- |
|
Focus more on GE for your first semester |
|
|
If there are any course(s) listed above, please enter this information onto “Step 4” of your Freshmen Class Planner.
The sociology major prepares students for a broad range of career paths, including employment in community-based organizations, local governments, human service agencies, and research settings. The major also provides students with a foundation to successfully pursue graduate work in multiple areas, including sociology, social work, public health, public administration, counseling, law, sexuality studies and other fields.
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.