Requirements for the Major

Join the Sociology BruinLearn (Canvas) site for access to important department resources. This Canvas page is open to current declared majors and students who are working towards declaring the Pre-Sociology or Sociology major.

 

Pre-Sociology Major: Continuing students with less than 90 units completed (excluding AP) may declare the Presociology major once they complete either Sociology 1 or 20 with a grade of C or better. Any student with more than 90 units is not eligible for the Pre-Soc status.

I. Preparation for the Major: Any student who wishes to become a Sociology major must complete the three preparatory courses listed below. All of these courses must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of C or better is required in each of the preparatory courses. Students with a grade point average below 2.0 in the preparation coursework are not eligible for admission to the major. Students who repeat any preparation course more than once are automatically denied admission to the major. It is recommended that students complete all prep as early as possible in order to be declared a Sociology major. This is because our upper division major courses are restricted to Pre-Soc or Soc majors only (with the exception of Soc 101) during the first pass. All non-declared students will be able to enroll in Soc courses during the second pass. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Sociology 1 (Introductory Sociology)

Sociology 20 (Introduction to Sociological Research Methods)

One Statistics course is chosen from:

  • Political Science 6 (Introduction to Data Analysis)
  • Statistics 10 (Introduction Statistical Reasoning)
  • Statistics 13 (Introduction to Statistical Methods for Life and Health Sciences)

II. Requirements for the Major: The major in sociology requires 11 upper division courses (numbered 100-199). At least seven of the upper division sociology courses must be taken in residence at UCLA (Soc 101 & 102, methods, 3 core, and 1 elective). Students are encouraged to prioritize Soc 101, 102, and all Core courses before completing all electives. Soc 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Soc 101 must be taken before 102, the courses cannot be taken concurrently. All other upper divs will require a D- or above. Students are required to maintain a 2.0 overall GPA average in all upper-division sociology courses. All courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Two theory courses:

  • Sociology 101 (Development of Sociological Theory)
  • Sociology 102 (Contemporary Sociological Theory)

One methods course, choose one of the following courses:

  • Sociology 106A, 106B, 110, 111*, 112, 113, 114, M124A*, 191H OR Statistics 112 (Statistical Methods for Social Sciences)

Three core courses, one course from each of the following Core areas:

  • Interactions (Soc 111*, M124A*, CM125, 126, 128, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 145, 152, 191V: Digital Hyperconnectivity, 191V: Talk & Mass Comm)
  • Institutions and Social Processes (Soc 116, 117, 121, M137, M139, 140, 143, 151, 158, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, M174, M175, M176, 180A: Asian Community, 181B, 191V: Forced Migration)
  • Power and Inequality (Soc M115, 122, 123, 135, 147A, 154, M155, 156, 157, M161, M162, M163, M164, M165, 180A: Race & Ethnicity, Considering the University, 180A: Reproductive Politics & Everyday Life, 180A: Sexuality & Sexual Identities, 181A, 182, 183, 185, 186, 191D)

Five additional upper division Sociology electives or Approved upper division electives

NOTES:

  • If interested in switching into the major, email Simbi or Dreama once prep courses are completed and final grades are uploaded on your Degree Audit Report.
  • The department only allowed Pass/No Pass grading Spring 2020-Summer 2022 terms during Covid instruction. Starting Fall 2022 and any quarter after, the department will return to letter grading only so P/NP will not be accepted for any Sociology course for the major.
  • Any course listed in more than one area cannot count for both core areas. For example, Soc 111 cannot count for both Methods and Interactions. The DAR will place it in one area but if you want it moved please email Simbi or Dreama.
  • Any upper division sociology courses not listed under the theory, methods, or core requirements can count as upper division sociology electives. If multiple courses are taken within the same core area, the second course will default to a Sociology elective
  • Up to 4 sociology upper-division electives can be fulfilled through UC Education Abroad Program or  approved electives at UCLA (https://soc.ucla.edu/content/approved-sociology-upper-division-electives). At least one elective for the major must be a Sociology course from our department.
  • Sociology 180A courses are variable topics courses. The course number stays the same but the topic changes each quarter. In order for 180A to count for a major core area, it must have the exact title listed above.
  • Sociology 191 courses are small seminars for juniors and seniors. Soc 199s are independent research seminars. Both 191s and 199s count as Soc electives. See the Sociology Undergraduate Handbook for more info (https://ucla.app.box.com/v/UndergraduateFiles)
  • Students can take Soc 195CE (Community or Corporate Internship) for one of the five major electives. For more information, please visit their website at: https://communityengagement.ucla.edu/programs/internship-courses/#enrollment 

For more information please contact either of the Sociology advisors for assistance:

Simbi Mahlanza (mahlanza@soc.ucla.edu) or Dreama Rhodes (drhodes@soc.ucla.edu)