Lloyd Chia, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Criminology and Sociology, Program Director
What is possible when you begin to understand human behavior?
Anything.
Sociology is the study of human society and at the core of understanding issues of race, social class, education, poverty and more. Explore these big topics as you learn to navigate faith and science in your studies.
As a sociology major at Fresno Pacific, you’ll broaden your perspective as you study social causes and effects on human behavior. You’ll explore local issues specific to the Central Valley, including immigration and human trafficking.
You’ll learn from professors who have lived and taught around the world, and your studies will come alive as you apply what you’ve learned to your surrounding communities.
Through the study of sociology, you’ll move beyond personal experience to an awareness of how people are connected through networks, hierarchies, and beliefs.
Program Highlights
- Study abroad and choose from countries around the globe
- Double major or include of a minor with this flexible major
- Gain a global perspective and Christian/Anabaptist worldview
- Present research at various national conferences
- Intern with local organizations
- Build strong networking connections through professors who make themselves available
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Faculty
Catalog
Program Director: Lloyd Chia, Ph.D.
Overview
The sociology major provides students with an increased understanding of their sociocultural world. Students move beyond their personal experiences to an awareness of how people are connected to one another through groups, networks and hierarchies, as well as beliefs and practices. Sociology majors learn to analyze the influences of groups on human behavior.
The sociology program is purposefully informed by a global perspective and a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. The program builds on the foundation of the required sequence of courses at Fresno Pacific University, regarding the stories of peoples and cultures. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared to pursue graduate study or a career for which sociology is an appropriate background. Majors typically find employment in fields such as human services, personnel, social research, law enforcement, government, Christian ministry, missions, and community development.
Students interested in majoring in sociology should complete the two prerequisite courses during their freshman and sophomore years. Sociology courses can be taken in any sequence with the exception of two courses that must be taken the final year of studies. Intro to Social Science Research should be taken the fall semester of the senior year, followed by Senior Thesis, which is only offered spring semester of the senior year.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Use sociological terms, analyze and discuss the influence of social groups, networks and hierarchies on human behavior.
- Articulate the social processes and group dynamics influencing human behavior, including pluralism, globalization, religious change, intercultural communication, conflict management, life course patterns, legal systems, and public policy.
- Perform basic and advanced sociological observations, using a range of social scientific methods, and analyze the results, orally and in writing.
- Identify advanced sociological concepts, principles, and theories about social problems and cases, including those specific to social institutions such as family, education, media, economics, religion, law, politics, and the criminal justice system.
- Explain, orally and in writing, well-formed views on sociocultural issues, in ways that both engage moral reasoning and demonstrate concrete knowledge about social change.
- Articulate and apply the value of Christian/Anabaptist belief and practice for the discipline of sociology, reflect on the integration of faith with society, culture, and social change.
Locations Offered
Main Campus Fresno
Degree Pathways
Sociology, B.A. Four Year Pathway
Sociology, B.A. (Social Justice Studies AA-T Pathway)
Sociology, B.A. ADT Pathway
Lower Division Major Prerequisites (6 Units)- SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3
Select one of the following courses:
- GEOG 220 - Cultural Geography Credits 3
- PS 120 - American Politics and Society Credits 3
- PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3
Required Courses (30-31 Units)- CRIM 422 - Statistics for Sociology and Criminology Credits 3 or
- PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
- SOC 205 - Culture and Society Credits 3
- SOC 461 - Introduction to Social Science Research Credits 3
- SOC 470 - Sociocultural Theory Credits 3
- SOC 476 - Internship Credits 3 or
- SOC 481 - International Internship Credits 3
- SOC 480 - Senior Thesis Credits 3
Breadth Program
Select one of the following courses:
- CRIM 422 - Statistics for Sociology and Criminology Credits 3 or
- PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
- SOC 205 - Culture and Society Credits 3
- SOC 461 - Introduction to Social Science Research Credits 3
- SOC 470 - Sociocultural Theory Credits 3
- SOC 476 - Internship Credits 3 or
- SOC 481 - International Internship Credits 3
- SOC 480 - Senior Thesis Credits 3
Breadth Program
Select any four courses from the lists below. Students are encouraged to take additional courses depending upon their needs or interests.
Society and Culture- COM 400 - Intercultural Communication Credits 3
- SOC 301 - Culture and Community Engagement Credits 3
- SOC 332 - Modern Africa: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
- SOC 334 - Modern Asia: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
- SOC 336 - Modern Middle East: History, Politics And Culture Credits 3
- SOC 364 - World Christianity Credits 3
- SOC 410 - American Ethnicity and Pluralism Credits 3
Social Institutions- COM 410 - Media and Society Credits 3
- SOC 350 - Marriage and Family Credits 3
- SOC 360 - Sociology of Religion Credits 3
- SOC 375 - Organizational Behavior Credits 3
- SOC 450 - Social Problems and Public Policy Credits 3
Social Groups and Processes- COM 420 - Conflict Management and Resolution Credits 3
- COM 430 - Group Dynamics and Leadership Credits 3
- SOC 345 - Contemporary Issues in Immigration Credits 3
- SOC 346 - Human Trafficking: Perspectives and Interventions Credits 3
- SOC 400 - Social Psychology Credits 3
- SOC 440 - Lifecourse Development Credits 3
- SOC 442 - Social Gerontology Credits 3
- SOC 446 - Sociology of Gender Credits 3
Crime and Justice- CRIM 355 - Victimology Credits 3
- CRIM 372 - Diversity and Crime Credits 3
- CRIM 382 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
Semester Study Abroad Option- SOC 338 - People and Cultures of Costa Rica Credits 3
- HIST 408 - History and Politics of China and Vietnam Credits 3
- COM 410 - Media and Society Credits 3
- SOC 350 - Marriage and Family Credits 3
- SOC 360 - Sociology of Religion Credits 3
- SOC 375 - Organizational Behavior Credits 3
- SOC 450 - Social Problems and Public Policy Credits 3
Social Groups and Processes- COM 420 - Conflict Management and Resolution Credits 3
- COM 430 - Group Dynamics and Leadership Credits 3
- SOC 345 - Contemporary Issues in Immigration Credits 3
- SOC 346 - Human Trafficking: Perspectives and Interventions Credits 3
- SOC 400 - Social Psychology Credits 3
- SOC 440 - Lifecourse Development Credits 3
- SOC 442 - Social Gerontology Credits 3
- SOC 446 - Sociology of Gender Credits 3
Crime and Justice- CRIM 355 - Victimology Credits 3
- CRIM 372 - Diversity and Crime Credits 3
- CRIM 382 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
Semester Study Abroad Option- SOC 338 - People and Cultures of Costa Rica Credits 3
- HIST 408 - History and Politics of China and Vietnam Credits 3
- CRIM 355 - Victimology Credits 3
- CRIM 372 - Diversity and Crime Credits 3
- CRIM 382 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
Semester Study Abroad Option- SOC 338 - People and Cultures of Costa Rica Credits 3
- HIST 408 - History and Politics of China and Vietnam Credits 3
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.
First Steps to Admission
- Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
* Admission applications are free, no discount codes required. - Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
- Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information
1. Anthropology (AA-T) to Sociology, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
- SOC 120 Introduction to Sociology (3)
- This program is offered as daytime traditional
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
2. Social Justice Studies (AA-T) to Sociology, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA major has no lower-division major or co-requisite courses that could be fulfilled by the ADT.
- This program is offered as daytime traditional
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
3. Social Work and Human Services (AS-T) to Sociology, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
- SOC 120 Introduction to Sociology (3)
- This program is offered as daytime traditional
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
4. Sociology (AA-T) to Sociology, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
- SOC 120 Introduction to Sociology (3)
- This program is offered as daytime traditional
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
Non-traditional Admission
Four-Year Graduation Guarantee
Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.
Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
Room & Board Rates
Financial Aid
Freshman Scholarships
Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.
| Name | GPA | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Paragon | Full Tuition | |
| President's | 4.00 GPA and above | $18,000 |
| Dean's | 3.75-3.99 GPA | $15,000 |
| Heritage | 3.50-3.75 GPA | $14,000 |
| Faculty | 3.25-3.49 GPA | $12,000 |
| Founder's | Below a 3.0 GPA | $8,000 |
Transfer Scholarships
To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.
| Name | GPA | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Scholar | 3.50 GPA and above | $14,000 |
| Transfer Achievement | 3.0-3.49 GPA | $10,000 |
| Transfer Academic | 2.40-2.99 GPA | $7,500 |
| Transfer Partnership | Below a 2.4 GPA | $6,000 |
Performance-based Scholarships
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Athletic | $500 to Full Tuition |
| Music | $400 to $10,000 |
| Theatre Arts | $500 to $4,000 |
| Art/Design | $500 to $4,000 |
Other FPU Grants and Scholarships
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| FPU Possibilities Scholarship | Full Tuition |
| Church Match | $500 to $1,500 |
| International Scholarship | up to $6,000 |
| Mennonite Brethren Award | $4,000 |
| Out of State Student Scholarship | $4,000 |
| Other Awards | $100 to $10,000 |
Federal and State Grants
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cal Grant A | $9,358 |
| Cal Grant B | $1,648 |
| Pell Grants | $750 to $7,395 |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | $1,000 |
Federal Loans and Work-Study
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Direct | $3,500 to $7,500 |
| PLUS Loan | Up to remaining cost |
| Work-study | Contingent on employment |
Private Scholarships
Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.
Alexandra Green
Mathematics
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Net Price Calculator
Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.
Career Opportunities
With this degree, you’ll have the opportunity to shape an internship relevant to your interest, preparing to graduate with work experience. You will also be prepared for graduate studies to pursue a career as a college professor or applied sociologist.
Career Possibilities
- Human services provider
- Human resources specialist
- Social researcher/Data analyst
- Community developer
- Missionary
- Law enforcement officer
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more