Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with your academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email sipathway@pdx.edu.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
- Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
- You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
First-Year Students:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and STAT 243Z next term. |
| SOC 204Z Intro to Sociology (4 credits) | SOC 204Z Intro to Sociology (4 credits) | SOC 204Z is required for the Sociology major, and should be taken before the end of your first year. You will also be required to take 1-2 electives this year; don't be afraid to take one! If this is full, choose from this list of introductory classes. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30-89 credits:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits) | UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits) | Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you. American Identities, Understanding Communities, and Gender & Sexualities are good options for SOC majors. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and STAT 243Z next term. |
| SOC 204Z Intro to Sociology (4 credits) | SOC 20$Z Intro to Sociology (4 credits) | If you took an introductory SOC class at your previous school, take SOC 301 instead; it is offered in Fall/Winter only and is the first in a 2-part sequence. If SOC 301 doesn't work, take any 300-level SOC course |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 90-134 credits:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Upper Division Cluster course or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | You can choose to do any cluster you want. Remember that you cannot use any courses in your major towards the cluster. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | If you have taken all of your language or math requirements, replace this class either with another honors/cluster class, or with another class in your major. Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and STAT 243Z next term. |
SOC 301 Classical Sociological Theory | SOC 301 Classical Sociological Theory | If you took an introductory SOC class at your previous school, take SOC 301; it is offered in Fall/Winter only and is the first in a 2-part sequence. If SOC 301 doesn't work, take any 300-level SOC course or a Race and Ethnic Studies designated course. |
Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
Transfers with 135 or more credits:
We strongly recommend meeting with your academic advisor to create a plan for your degree completion.
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division course or, if in Honors, HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Upper Division course or, if in Honors, HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | If you are doing UNST, you only need Senior Capstone, but don't take it during your first term. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | If you have taken all of your language or math requirements, replace this class either with another honors/cluster class, or with another class in your major. Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199 now and STAT 243Z next term. |
SOC 301 Classical Sociological Theory (4 credits) SOC 397/397L Social Research Methods and Lab (5 credits) (prereq-STAT 243Z or SOC 396) | SOC 301 Classical Sociological Theory (4 credits) SOC 397/397L Social Research Methods and Lab (5 credits) (prereq-STAT 243Z or SOC 396) | If you have not taken an introductory SOC class at your previous school, take SOC 204Z first. SOC 301 and SOC 397 are both the first of 2-course required sequences, and are only offered in Fall and Winter. Take them as soon as possible for timely degree completion. |
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