Understand people, institutions, and social change while adding career-ready skills to your first major.
A second major in Sociology can help you connect your primary field of study to real-world organizations, communities, inequality, culture, and social systems while building practical skills in research, analysis, communication, and problem-solving.
A second major in Sociology can help you:
Sociology is a strong second major for students who: enjoy their Sociology courses and want to go further; are currently pursuing or considering a Sociology minor; want a people-centered complement to a professional or technical major; are interested in careers that involve analysis, advocacy, organizations, policy, justice, education, health, or community engagement.
Sociology can pair well with many majors. Some common or promising combinations include:
Best for students who want: career preparation; broad workforce relevance; practical, community, and organizational focus.
The Applied Sociology track is designed for students who want to move directly into the workforce with broad, career-ready preparation.
Best for students who want: preparation for graduate school; stronger theory and research emphasis; analytically intensive coursework.
The Advanced Sociology track is designed for students who want stronger preparation for graduate study, research, theory, and analytically intensive work.
You may be closer to a second major than you think.
The JSU catalog shows that both the Sociology minor and Criminology minor require 18 hours. The Sociology major requires 30 hours in the major, depending on track. That means students who already have coursework in Sociology may want to ask whether moving from a minor to a major would better support their long-term academic and career goals. Exact overlap and remaining hours should be reviewed with an advisor.
Is a Second Major Realistic?
Many students are surprised that a second major may be more manageable than they expected, especially if they plan early and review completed coursework with an advisor.
Psychology and Sociology are both strong foundations for understanding people, behavior, institutions, and social environments. Students interested in this combination should speak with advising early to compare requirements and plan efficiently.
Ask an advisor to review your completed coursework and show you what remaining classes would be needed for the major.
