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What Can I Do With A Degree In Sociology?

Become a Policy Analyst


What is a Policy Analyst?

Policy Analyst

A policy analyst (advisor) is trained to identify and investigate issues, problem, and opportunities to direct policy change for improving practices and/or procedures found in social, legal, and governmental institutions.

Policy analysts utilize both qualitative and quantitative research skill sets in their profession to understand historical trends, interpret existing policies, and test theories to advance our understanding on the relationships between particular systems and policies and outcomes.

Today, there is great demand for policy analysts who focus on key areas of specialization, such as immigration or environmental policy.

Every facet of modern life is touched by government policies, so you can specialize in almost any field that moves you.

What Employers Look For

Many employers look for universal skills such as communication, cultural awareness, customer-centered focus, ability to problem-solve, and build working relationships. To be marketable in today’s work force, persons should strengthen their abilities be flexible while adapting to change in a technology based, highly diverse, and rapidly changing globalized society. Skills such as resilience, problem solving and adaptability are valuable at work as well as in life.

How Sociology Enhances Career Development

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology develops in our graduates the valuable set of skills that are transferable to a range of careers. The undergraduate curriculum comprise of a series of courses designed to improve critical thinking, thinking creatively and challenging ideas, understanding the influences of human behavior and decision-making, problem solving, logical and quantitative thinking, oral and written communication, developing the sociological imagination for expanding the world view, and practical application of sociological theories to investigate modern-day political, cultural, and social problems.

How Sociology Prepares Students for a Career as Policy Analysts

Students majoring in Sociology are required to complete 33-34 credit hours of coursework in Sociology.

The degree focus consist of fifteen (15) required credit hours of coursework designed to build a foundation in sociological inquiry six (6) credit hours of sociology fundamental courses, and twelve to thirteen hours of sociology electives.

Suggested coursework for a targeted career as policy analyst include:

  • SOC 382 Introduction to Statistics in Sociology
  • SOC 383 Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology
  • SOC 402 Sociological Theory
  • SOC 411 Social Stratification
  • SOC 419 Sociology of Law
  • SOC 310 Race and Ethnic Diversity
  • SOC 334 Urban Sociology
  • SOC 338 Global Social Movements
  • SOC 377 Sociology of Mental Health
  • SOC 374 Medical Sociology
  • SOC 489 Research Internship in Sociology
  • SOC 530 Political Sociology