The Sociology Department encourages students to be self-directed in planning their academic careers. Faculty members are available to assist with this process, but advising cannot substitute for active student preparation. Sociology and Social Science majors select their own advisor, and students working toward the Multi-ethnic Studies B.A. should see the Director of Multi-ethnic Studies, Dr. Romero, or Interim Director of Multi-ethnic Studies Dr. Scarritt. Students working toward a Secondary Education Certificate should see the appropriate Advisor in the History Department. Students are encouraged to select an advisor early in their academic careers, and to work with them throughout their time at Boise State.
Begin by studying these Frequently Asked Questions, and they should continue to serve as your first point of reference.
How do I select an advisor?
See the list of the department’s faculty here. If you have specific topical areas of interest, select an advisor who shares these. Email them to set up an appointment.
How do I know which classes I need?
Students should be extremely familiar with the University Catalog. The chapter entitled “Obtaining a Degree at Boise State University” should be studied carefully, and referred to often. In addition, study carefully the degree table of you major. Almost every question that might arise as you plan your course of study is answered in the University Catalog.
Students must learn to interpret their Degree Progress Report (DPR) on BroncoWeb. The DPR shows the courses your have taken, the courses you have enrolled in, and how these apply toward your requirements for graduation. Information on generating and interpreting your DPR is available here. If you are considering changing majors, you can generate a “What if?” report that will allow you to see how the courses you’ve completed would fit into the new degree.
The department offers checklists for each of the majors here. You should use the appropriate checklist to track your progress and develop your plans.
Finally, the Sociology Department is a participant in the University’s Finish in Four Program. These suggested course schedules can assist students in developing their own course of study.
It is essential that students be well-informed consumers of their college education. Become comfortable with the Catalog, the DPR, the checklists, and the Department’s Finish in Four schedules. If you do so, time spent with your faculty advisor can focus on issues of more specific concern to your academic and career plans, rather than on issues that students can easily resolve independently.
When should I take which classes?
Limited resources limit the frequency with which many courses can be offered. The University Catalog gives some indication, and every attempt is made to keep this current, but as faculty members leave or join the department this is inevitably somewhat out of date. Below is the schedule for the courses most important in completing the degrees.
Offered every semester: SOC 101, 102, 210, 230, 290, 310, 311, 390, 490, 493, 498, and SOCSCI498
Offered every fall only: SOC 201, 301, 332, 471
Offered every spring only: SOC 302, 305, 333, 480,
Offered alternate years: SOC 306, 307, 312, 320, 325, 330, 331, 340, 361, 362, 371, 380, 390, 395, 403, 407, 410, 412, 415, 417, 421, 425, 431, 435, 440, 481, 487
Not regularly offered at this time: SOC 121, 278, 279, 351, 370
Plan your schedule carefully around the required courses offered least frequently. Note especially that SOC 201 and 301 are offered only in the fall, and that SOC 302 and 480 are offered only in the spring.
The Department’s Finish in Four plans won’t work for everyone, but are good general guides. Note especially that Sociology majors should take 301, 302, 310 and 311 during their Junior year. Social science majors should take SOC 201 as early as possible after their Freshman year. SOC498, SOCSCI498, and your internship or practicum are taken during your final semester before graduation.
Which upper-division electives should I take?
You should take as upper-division electives those courses that best fit your specific interests and that will best prepare you for your future. However, since most electives are offered infrequently, some comprise must be made with your overall schedule. If you’re having difficulty deciding which electives to take, your advisor can help you choose. Prepare a list of the courses you’d like to take that will fit your schedule, and email your advisor.
What are Independent Studies? What’s an Internship? What’s the Practicum?
Independent Studies allow students to pursue interests not covered through a regularly offered course. To participate in independent study, you must have achieved at least junior standing and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. You may take up to 4 credits of independent study in any one semester, and up to 6 credits in a given academic year. You may apply no more than 9 credits of independent study toward your degree.
If you are interested in completing an independent study, contact your advisor.
Social science majors should note that only three credits of workshops, special topics, independent studies or internships may be applied to each of the two upper-division fields. If one of your upper-division areas is Communication, these limits can sometimes be waived – see your advisor.
Internships are unpaid positions with public or private agencies that serve to further your education and to help you transition into a career. The Practicum, taken by Sociology majors, combines an internship with some time in class. Qualified students may complete an internship by serving as a teaching or research assistant. More information on internships and the practicum can be found here.
What’s an Academic Adjustment?
Under certain rare circumstances, students may appeal for an exception to the requirements of the degree. Typically, these arise because students have taken a course at another institution that constitutes an acceptable substitute but was not recognized as such when their transfer report was prepared in the Registrar’s Office. Occasionally, a course taken that is not identified as a requirement may be substituted if it covered the same content.
If you believe you can make a case for an academic adjustment, prepare any documentation. Syllabi and course descriptions from both the course you’d like to replace and from the course that you’ve completed provide the best supporting evidence. Once you’ve done this, bring this documentation and a printout of your DPR and consult with your advisor.
Appeals of general University requirements go directly to the Registrar’s Office. Appeals of University Core requirements are made to that Department (so, for example, if you’ve taken a Chemistry course at another University that you believe covers the same material as CHEM 101 at Boise State, file the appeal with the Chemistry Department, and this will be forwarded to the College of Arts and Sciences). Appeals of the requirements of the Sociology, Social Science and Multi-ethnic Studies majors are made to the Sociology Department, and if approved will be forwarded to the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs.
Does the department offer career advising?
Yes. Our graduates have pursued a wide range of career paths in business, government and nonprofits. Many further their education by pursuing graduate degrees. Among the positions held by our graduates are community and labor organizers, investment advisor, student affairs directors, attorneys, and sociology professors.
An excellent starting point is the American Sociological Association’s career guide, available here.
You should talk with your advisor early in your college career about your plans following graduation so that your coursework can be tailored to best prepare you to pursue your goals.
If you are considering graduate education, consult with your advisor during your Junior year so that you can begin the process of selecting graduate programs and preparing your application. If you are considering a graduate degree in Sociology, the American Sociological Association offers information here.
The Sociology Department at Boise State does not offer graduate degrees, but can assist you in designing an Interdisciplinary Studies Masters. In addition, members of the sociology faculty often serve on thesis committees for students working toward graduate degrees in other departments.