The Department of Sociology offers a revised program in the Bachelor of Arts as of Fall 2025. This 36-credit degree in sociology presents a general program to prepare students for a wide variety of positions in business, industry, government, health-related services, or social services. Buffalo State University students who began their sociology degree at Buffalo State prior to Fall 2025 have the option of completing either the old or the new program for their degree completion requirement.
The sociology minor enables students to focus on areas of sociological interest.
To declare Sociology as your major or minor, please stop by Cassety Hall Room 146 and talk to speak with a faculty or staff member.
Major and Minors
Major: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (BA)
The B.A. degree in sociology presents a general program to prepare students for a wide variety of positions in business, industry, government, health-related services, or social services. It is also designed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate work in the study of sociology, law, public administration, media studies, demography, crime/deviance, or other social science disciplines. The freedom of choice in selection of courses permits students to develop a particular specialty within sociology, either to meet special career interests or to meet graduate program requirements.
Sociology majors are prepared for careers in community organizations, criminal justice units, business, and government agencies as advisers, internal or external consultants, and counselors. Students who attend graduate school usually pursue sociology, anthropology, education, business, or law.
Graduates have been hired as site managers for social service agencies, college admissions counselors, research assistants, counselors, police officers, case workers, and skills-development specialists for the developmentally disabled. Typical hiring firms include social service agencies, nonprofit advocacy organizations, and businesses requiring individuals with analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Recent graduates have been hired by companies and agencies such as Ingram Micro, U.S. Customs Service, Crisis Services, Niagara Mohawk, People Inc., KidsPeace, Niagara County Department of Social Services, Gateway-Longview, Research Institute on Addictions, Compass House, Buffalo Urban League, Stepping Stones Learning Center, and Bailey Delavan Community Services.
As part of the 120 credit hour requirement to earn a degree from SUNY Buffalo State, Sociology students must complete the requirements for the BA in Sociology. Semester-by-semester Academic Roadmaps of suggested courses are available. 2-Year Academic Roadmap 4-Year Academic Roadmap
Minor in Sociology
The Minor in Sociology Program introduces students to the basic coursework and concepts in the discipline. By requiring an introductory course and emphasizing sociological theory, the program provides a structured introduction and the freedom to select three elective courses.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
SOC 100 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 3
SOC 204 FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIOLOGICAL THOUGHT 3
SOC 330 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
or SOC 350 POWER, CLASS, AND INEQUALITY
Electives (9 credit hours )
May be fulfilled by any SOC courses not already taken 9
Total Credit Hours 18
Major in Sociology
The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is a 36-credit general program that emphasizes traditional areas of the discipline with a focus on theory, research, and inequality as well as topical areas of interest.
Required Foundations Courses (15 credits)
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology 3
SOC 204 Classical Sociological Theory 3
SOC 299 Social Statistics 3
SOC 300 Methods of Social Research or
SOC 302 Qualitative Research Methods 3
SOC 408 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3
Inequalities (Choose two courses) (6 credits)
SOC 212 Feminist Theory 3
SOC 310 Sex and Gender 3
SOC 312 Women and Society 3
SOC 321 African American Family 3
SOC 326 Black Feminist Thought 3
SOC 350 Power, Class, and Inequality 3
SOC 351 Race and Ethnicity 3
Electives (Any five SOC courses not already taken) (15 credits)
Total Credit Hours: 36