Sociology - Bachelor of Arts 2024-25 Degree Map

Degree Maps & Advising


Degree maps show just one possible course plan for how to earn a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

Bulletin or Catalog Year


This guide outlines the requirements in the 2024-25 Bulletin. Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

DARS System  


Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
SOC 2004General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits12-14

First Year Milestone: Complete SOC 200 (by Spring term).

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
SOC 3014SOC 3024BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4
General Elective4General Elective4STAT 243Z4
Total Fall Credits15-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits13-17

Second Year Milestone: Complete SOC 301 & 302 (by Spring term).

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
SOC Upper Division Elective4SOC Upper Division Elective4SOC 3984
General Elective4SOC 3975SOC Upper Division Elective4
General Elective4SOC 397L0SOC Upper Division Elective4
  General Elective2  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits15Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Milestone: Complete SOC 397 & 398 (by Spring term).

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
SOC Elective (400 Level)4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
General Elective4SOC Elective (400 Level)4SOC Elective (400 Level)4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits15-16Total Spring Credits14

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • SOC 301: Recommended prerequisite for upper division SOC courses.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BST), Chicanx/Latinx Studies (CHLA), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). Sociology course options exist in both categories. If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • STAT 243Z: SOC 396 may substitute. Students would need additional math/statistics for BA requirements.
  • SOC 397: It is strongly recommended to take SOC 397 & 398 consecutively. SOC 397 only offered in the Fall and Winter terms, SOC 398 only offered in the Winter and Spring terms.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.