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Minor in Sociology Online

By adding a Sociology minor to your current degree program, you’ll gain invaluable knowledge, sharpen analytical skills, and grasp societal dynamics to complement your major area of study.

Why should I add a sociology minor to my degree?

A minor in sociology rounds out your education through online coures in human behaviors and interactions, as well as social inequalities.

About the Program

Our minor in Sociology program helps provide a broader perspective of social inequities, the balance of individuals and society, and other facets of our modern society. By pairing the Sociology minor with your studies of economics, public health, or other related subjects, you can gain a better and more comprehensive understanding of both topics.

Our online minor in Sociology program is fully online and flexible, can be completed in 18 units, and mirrors the on-campus program offered to SDSU students on campus. Required courses include Introductory Sociology: The Study of Society, Introduction to Social Problems, Elementary Social Statistics, and Social Research Methods. Elective courses include Contemporary Social Theory, Wealth, Status, and Power, and the American Labor Movement.

Who Can Take the Program

The Sociology minor program includes units of study that can be added to any SDSU Global Campus undergraduate degree program. Note, earning a minor requires additional coursework outside of the requirements for completion of the major coursework. Please consult you success advisor for more information.

What Can I Learn?

Sociology is a broad and diverse field of study that examines and analyzes human social behavior, social interactions, and the structures and institutions that shape society. It seeks to understand the intricate dynamics between individuals, groups, and societies, exploring various aspects such as social stratification, culture, inequality, social change, and collective behavior.

At its core, sociology aims to uncover patterns and trends within social life, offering valuable insights into how societies are organized and how they function. Sociologists utilize a range of research methods, including surveys, interviews, observations, and statistical analysis, to gather data and generate knowledge.

Studying Sociology Can Help You:

  • Examine social inequalities, including those based on race, gender, class, and age.
  • Explore the intricate interplay between individuals and society.
  • Examine how family, education, religion, and other social structures and institutions impact individual experiences.
  • Achieve a comprehensive framework for understanding and critically examining the complex dynamics of human social life.

Why Should You Choose a Sociology Minor?

By adding a minor in Sociology to your major studies, you are able to build a more well-rounded and diverse educational foundation. Studying Sociology adds depth and dimension to your background and helps demonstrate to potential employers that your understanding and skills are diverse and include issues covered in Sociology.

Planned Course Schedule

Lower Division Requirements:

Students must complete six units of lower division coursework for the minor.

CoursesUnitsAreas of Study
SOC 101- Introduction to Sociology3 units
SOC 102- Introduction to Social Problems 
Or 
SOC 201: Elementary Social Statistics
3 units 
(Students only need to complete one of these courses. Any lower division statistics course may be substituted for SOC 201)

Core Requirement:

Students must complete one of the following courses. 

CoursesUnitsArea of Study
SOC 401 – Classical Social Theory3 UnitsSociological Theory
SOC 403 – Contemporary Social Theory3 UnitsSociological Theory
SOC 407 – Survey and Experimental Research Methods3 UnitsAdvanced Research Methods
SOC 433 – Wealth, Status, and Power3 UnitsStratification & Inequality

Sociology Electives:

Students must complete nine units of upper division Sociology coursework to complete the minor requirement. Students should choose three of the courses listed below to fulfill this requirement.

CoursesUnitsArea of Study
SOC 330: Cultural and Historical Origins of Surfing3 Units
SOC 335 – Sociology of Popular Culture3 UnitsCulture & Society
SOC 352 – Global Social Problems3 UnitsGlobalization & Social Issues
SOC 355 – Sociology of Race and Ethnicity3 UnitsRace, Ethnicity & Inequality
SOC 410 – Social Psychology: Mind, Self, and Society3 UnitsSocial Psychology
SOC 460 – Technology and Society3 UnitsTechnology & Society

Process to Declare

In order to declare a minor in sociology, please contact your Student Success Advisor by emailing successadvising.global@sdsu.edu to determine your eligibility.