UMass Boston

Apply for Admission

Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Program Declaration

• At time of admission to the University or by completion of an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.
• Current students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be accepted into the major.

Early Action Deadline: November 1; Regular Decision Deadline: June 15

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process 

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.

Course Requirements

Introductory Courses (6 Credits)

• SOCIOL 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 102 - Sociology in Boston 3 Credit(s)

Theory and Research Courses (6 Credits)

• SOCIOL 201 - Sociological Theory 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 202 - Methods of Sociological Research 3 Credit(s)

Social Statistics Course (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

• SOCIOL 350 - Social Statistics 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 352 - Criminological Statistics and Data Analysis 3 Credit(s)
• PSYCH 370 - Statistics 3 Credit(s)

Electives (18 Credits)

Complete 18 credits of SOCIOL courses.

At least three courses must be at the 300-level or higher. Graduate courses in sociology may not be used as major electives.

Senior Capstone Course (3 to 6 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

• SOCIOL 460 - Internship: Sociology in the City 6 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 461 - Internship in Law and Criminal Justice 6 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 470 - Senior Seminar in Sociology 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 478 - Directed Study in Sociology 3-4 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 479 - Directed Study in Sociology 3-4 Credit(s)

Pass/fail: No more than one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major. The senior capstone may not be taken pass/fail.

Residency: No more than 15 credits from another institution may be applied toward the major. SOCIOL 201 and 202 may only be applied toward the major if transferred from four-year institutions.

Course limitations: No more than one directed study and one internship course may be applied toward the major. Sociology graduate courses (600+ level) may not be used as major elective requirements or for the senior capstone.

Course reuse: Students with a second major in Criminology & Criminal Justice may only use SOCIOL 101 and 202 toward the second major. Students who complete SOCIOL 350 or SOCIOL 352 as part of another major must complete an additional three-credit sociology course in place of the quantitative methods course.

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

The Sociology major introduces students to the questions, perspectives and research methods that sociologists and criminologists use to examine the social world. Upon completion of the BA, students understand what is distinct about a sociological perspective, as well as being aware of the diverse perspectives that have defined the discipline. Students will be able to apply this knowledge to practical questions that are relevant to their own lives and to the well-being of society as a whole. Visit Learning Goals to read a detailed summary of the Sociology department’s learning outcomes.

Degree Requirements

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

• University Requirements
• College of Liberal Arts Requirements for Bachelor of Arts

Location: Wheatley-Peters Hall, 4th Floor, Room 012
Phone: 617.287.6251
Fax: 617.287.6288

Administrative Assistant II: Danielle Foley
Phone: 617.287.6251 / Office: Wheatley-Peters 4-012

Administrative Assistant I: Ellen Noone
Phone: 617.287.6250 / Office: Wheatley-Peters 4-012

Internship Coordinator, Academic Advisor, & Grants Manager: Alison L. Moll
Phone: 617.287.6238 / Office: Wheatley-Peters 4-014