More About the Department

Bachelor Degree in Sociology

Internships

Scholarships

Sociologists make change happen!  One person can make a difference.  Maybe that one person is you!

Bachelor Degree in Sociology

The IUP Bachelor of Arts program seeks to develop both the scientific and humanistic foundations of sociology. This program applies sociological knowledge to current social problems and promotes the well-being of individuals and society.  Students are prepared for employment in the human service fields or for graduate study in sociology or related fields.

The Sociology Department also prepares teachers for secondary school social studies with a concentration in sociology.  This program leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education.  Sociology graduates are also valued in a wide variety of positions in business and the professions because of their understanding of human behavior and their ability to use what they have learned.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN:

Bachelor of Arts

Students majoring in sociology may select one of three tracks:

• Sociology/General Sociology Track

• Sociology/Human Services Track

• Sociology/Applied Social Research Track

Bachelor of Science in Education

Teachers of Secondary School Social Studies/Sociology Concentration.

• Unique Features of IUP Sociology Department

• Small class size.

• Faculty with varied academic, research, and work experience backgrounds. 

• Having your professor in the classroom.  No graduate assistants teach classes.

• Unique internship opportunities.

• Human Services Track; General Sociology Track; Applied Social Research Track. 

• Up-to-date courses.

• Honors Program in Sociology for those who qualify.

• Click here for more information about our faculty.

The Internship Program in Sociology

The Sociology Department Internship Program offers students the opportunity to continue preparation for their careers by working with professionals in organizations within the human services field. You can choose this hands-on experience from a wide variety of agencies and communities.  Interns are provided many opportunities to develop and extend the basic skills that are utilized by all human service organizations.  During this experience students have the chance to clarify career goals and to develop useful contacts within the human services field.  Internships may lead directly to employment or provide networking for potential employment opportunities.

Internships are generally offered in the summer between the junior and senior year.

Students may earn up to twelve academic credits through this portion of their educational career.

Placement exists in many different types of human service organization including:

• Children and Youth Services

• Community Services

• Adolescent Programs

• Aging Services

• Women’s Shelter Programs

• Criminal Justice Agencies

• Juvenile Delinquency Programs

• Mental Health/Mental Retardation Programs

• Drug and Alcohol Programs

• Religious Agencies

• Medical Social Services

• Neighborhood Centers

• Personnel/Human Resources Offices

• Government Agencies

• Advocacy/Public Policy Organizations

Scholarships

The Sociology Department offers two scholarships for its majors. The Esko E. Newhill Scholarship for Excellence and the Mollie E. Bolling Memorial Scholarship are awarded annually to the qualified students at the departmental graduation ceremonies. Further information about the application and selection process is available through the department.

AKD Theta Chapter

The Sociology Department hosts the Theta chapter of the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society. It is one of 250 active chapters nationwide that allows qualified students the opportunity to further excel in their academic career. The AKD Theta Chapter works on various community and social projects and also helps IUP sociology majors receive financial support to attend the American Sociological Association's meetings and Honors Program.  It is an excellent representation of the AKD’s overall commitment to the development of scientific knowledge that may be applied to the solution of social problems wherever they are found.