Sociologists today conduct research and reason from research findings to generate deeper understandings of how societies work. The generation of theoretical statements and the testing of those statements in a wide variety of social settings is the core of sociological work. Sociologists are knowledge builders, rather than change agents, although there is an emergent group of scholars who apply sociological knowledge to create changes in organizations, individuals and communities. Sociology contributes to human improvement by seeing that change can be based on credible information and reasoned understanding of how humans work together in groups or larger aggregates.

A Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology consists of 30 credits organized to provide progressively more sophisticated levels of sociological analysis culminating in a capstone experience. It is expected that students start with entry courses, progress to basic courses and then to upper-level electives. In addition, students must complete all degree, College of Arts and Sciences and University graduation requirements, including University General Education.