On-Campus Students

The Sociology on-campus program provides a strong foundation in understanding social problems, data skills, and social change. Students benefit from smaller classes, individualized attention, and a cohort model—taking many courses with the same peers while maintaining flexibility to pursue their own academic interests and goals. This balance fosters both community and autonomy.

Units and Time to Graduation

The major requires 43 units, including up to 9 lower-division units that may be taken at Chico State or transferred from community college. Because many students discover sociology later in their college careers, there is only one required lower-division course. Most full-time students complete the major within two years of starting upper-division coursework.

Modes of Instruction

The core and most major classes are taught fully in-person in the brand new state-of-the-art net-zero BSS building. Students may choose to take one or two online courses each semester if desired. 

Courses

Students tailor their schedules based on interests and goals. Full-time students typically take SOCI 300 (Classical Social Theory) and SOCI 310 (Social Research Methods) in the fall of their junior year, followed by SOCI 301 (Contemporary Social Theory) and SOCI 315 (Statistics for the Social Sciences) in the spring. All students complete the capstone course, SOCI 441 Public Sociology, in their senior spring semester. Other requirements allow for course choice and customization.

Faculty

The department includes nine tenured or tenure-track professors and ten lecturers, five of whom are proud graduates of our program who continued their education and returned to teach with us. Our faculty have been recognized for their excellence in teaching with awards such as Best Teacher, Outstanding Lecturer (2), and Exemplary Online Teaching (2).

Advising and Tutoring

Advising: Our award-winning advisors - including two Chico State graduates - meet with students each semester to ensure steady progress toward graduation. Because not all courses are offered every term, meeting with your advisor is important for planning. Advisors also assist with career guidance, personal challenges, and referrals to campus resources. In-person advising is available during the day, and online appointments are offered in the evenings and on weekends.

Tutoring: The department offers a dedicated Sociology tutor for all courses, with Zoom appointments available primarily on evenings and weekends.

Please see the Sociology Advising and Tutoring page for more information!

How to Apply

1. Visit admissions for current information, deadlines, and fees. 
   • If you are a transfer student, evaluate the courses you may transfer toward the major:
     • SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology or SOCI 200 Social Problems (Lower-Division Foundation Core).  
     • Any 2 lower-division SOCI classes (they need not match specific Chico State courses).  Please note: lower-division coruses cannot count toward upper-division requirements. 
2. Submit an application online at Cal State Apply. 

IMPORTANT! Be sure to declare sociology (not sociology online) as your major to ensure eligibility for on-campus classes and orientation.

Fees and Financial Aid

For a thorough explanation of current costs, see Tuition & Registration Fees.

Many on-campus students qualify for financial aid; details are available on the Financial Aid website.