1. Department of Sociology and Criminology
  2. Academics
  3. Undergraduate Program
  4. Sociology Major Steps to Success

Sociology Major Steps to Success

Use this guide to plan your journey through the sociology major. Each year includes recommended courses, advising and opportunities to connect with the department, explore your interests and prepare for life after graduation.

Year One


Take the Right Classes

  • Take Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 170) your first semester.
  • Take courses to meet your STAT or MATH requirement.


Get Good Advice

Meet with your advisors in the college and in the SOCI Department to plan your courses.


Connect with Peers

  • Join the SOCI SAC.
  • Get involved in departmental events.
  • Attend a talk on campus.


Expand Your Horizons

Submit your best SOCI paper to the student paper competition (February).


Prepare for Life After Graduation

  • Think about a double major, minor or certificate to make you more marketable.
  • Consider learning a marketable foreign language.

Year Two


Take the Right Classes

  • Take Foundations of Sociology (SOCI 300).
  • Take a couple of 300-level elective courses.


Get Good Advice

Meet with your advisor in SOCI to declare your major.

Note: You are "pre-sociology" until you fulfill your STAT or MATH requirement.


Connect with Peers

  • Attend Sociology Week (October or November).
  • Attend a talk on campus.
  • Join a departmental organization.


Expand Your Horizons

  • Submit your best SOCI paper to the student paper competition (February).
  • Look into a double major, minor or certificate.


Prepare for Life After Graduation

  • Attend the internship fair (October).
  • Keep your GPA healthy.

Year Three


Take the Right Classes

  • Take your theory and methods courses (SOCI 301, 302, 377A and 377B).
  • Take a 300- or 400-level course.


Get Good Advice

  • Take advantage of faculty office hours. Get to know your faculty!
  • Meet with your SOCI advisor to make sure you’re on track.


Connect with Peers

  • Help plan Sociology Week (October or November).
  • Go on a Habitat for Humanity trip (March).


Expand Your Horizons

  • Submit your best SOCI paper to the student paper competition (February).
  • Study abroad or take a sociology field course.
  • Attend a sociology conference.


Prepare for Life After Graduation

  • Pursue an undergraduate experience.
  • Get an internship.
  • Consider graduate school, study for the GRE and get to know your professors for letters of recommendation.

Year Four


Take the Right Classes

Take a 400-level capstone course.

Note: You need at least six hours of 400-level sociology electives.


Get Good Advice

  • Meet with your professors as you work on your capstone projects.
  • Meet with your SOCI advisor to make sure you meet graduation requirements.


Connect with Peers

  • Present at Sociology Week (October or November).
  • Attend the annual Sociology Awards brunch (May).


Expand Your Horizons

  • Attend job talks during faculty recruitment (December).
  • Submit your best SOCI paper to the student paper competition (February).
  • Join Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.


Prepare for Life After Graduation

  • Attend the job fair (October).
  • Submit a paper to the MSS conference and present it (October or May).
  • Take entrance exams for graduate school.
  • Submit applications for graduate school.

Contact Us

Department of Sociology and Criminology
Zulauf Hall, 815
815-753-0365
askSociology@niu.edu