For UB-SIM sociology majors who wish to focus their studies, the department offers two areas of specialization. Majors who complete the requirements for either of these specializations will be presented with a certificate upon graduation (the specializations will not appear on diplomas or official transcripts).
To earn the specialization, students must earn a "C" or better in the courses required for the major and in the specialization courses.
This specialization is ideal for majors who intend to work in settings which require strong background knowledge in medicine or health, or who want to go to graduate school in sociology, medicine, the health professions or public health. Majors can complete the Health and Society specialization by successfully completing SOC 322 Medical Sociology or SOC 477 Sociology of Health Care, plus two additional health-related sociology electives from this list:
This specialization is intended for majors who plan to work in settings which require a strong background in crime or law, or who plan to apply to graduate school in sociology, criminology, or law. Majors can complete the requirements for specialization in Crime, Law and Justice by successfully completing SOC 307 Criminology or SOC 373 Law and Society plus two additional law-related sociology electives from this list: