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Sociology Transfer Pathway

  • Associate of Arts (AA)
  • 60 credits
  • Delivery Method: On-Campus

Why Study Sociology Transfer Pathway at LSC?

The Sociology Transfer Pathway AA offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated sociology bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University, Moorhead; Southwest State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

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Career Information

Sociologists Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$102K

$48/hr

Median annual salary/wage for
Sociologists
in the United States

Details

7%

Projected job growth
in the next decade

Details

3K

Sociologists are currently employed

Details

This data is delivered by an API from CareerOneStop, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. www.careeronestop.org Find more information including data update schedules at CareerOneStop's Data Sources (https://www.careeronestop.org/Help/data-sources.aspx). Full list of datasources.

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Median Annual Salary/Wage Earnings for Sociologists

the United States

$102K
$48/hr

$60K - $165K

$28/hr - $79/hr

Minnesota

$77K
$36/hr

$65K - $89K

$31/hr - $42/hr

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas; national occupational estimates for specific industries are also available.

Salary data are from U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program (www.bls.gov/oes/). Current as of May 2024.

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Projected 10-Year Job Growth for Sociologists

Rapid Growth
Outlook: Bright

the United States

7%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 300

2023 to 2033

Minnesota

0%

Projected Annual Job Openings: 0

2022 to 2032

My Next Move provides career outlook designations that include Bright, Average, or Below Average. Bright Outlook occupations are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, will have large numbers of job openings, or are new and emerging occupations.

Occupation outlook data come from O*NET Bright Outlook occupations (www.onetonline.org/find/bright) and My Next Move career outlook designations (www.onetcenter.org/bright/current/mnm_outlook.html). Note this information is only available at a national level, so even if you selected a state, you’ll see this information for the whole country. Current as of November 2024.

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Employment Numbers for Sociologists

the United States

Estimated Employment:

3,300

Minnesota

Estimated Employment:

40

My Next Move provides career outlook designations that include Bright, Average, or Below Average. Bright Outlook occupations are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, will have large numbers of job openings, or are new and emerging occupations.

Occupation outlook data come from O*NET Bright Outlook occupations (www.onetonline.org/find/bright) and My Next Move career outlook designations (www.onetcenter.org/bright/current/mnm_outlook.html). Note this information is only available at a national level, so even if you selected a state, you’ll see this information for the whole country. Current as of November 2024.

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Alternative Job Titles for Sociologists

  • Demographer
  • Evaluation Specialist
  • Medical Sociologist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Research Associate
  • Research Coordinator
  • Research Scientist
  • Research Specialist
  • Social Scientist
  • Sociologist

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Job Tasks and Activities for Sociologists

  • Advise others on matters of public policy.
  • Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
  • Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
  • Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
  • Conduct research on social issues.
  • Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
  • Coordinate cross-disciplinary research programs.
  • Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
  • Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
  • Develop methods of social or economic research.
  • Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
  • Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
  • Explain sociological research to the general public.
  • Inform viewers, listeners, or audiences.
  • Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.
  • Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
  • Plan social sciences research.
  • Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding.
  • Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Present information to the public.
  • Present research findings at professional meetings.
  • Present research results to others.
  • Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
  • Teach sociology.
  • Write grant proposals.
  • Write grants to obtain funding for research projects.

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Interests for Sociologists

  • Investigative
    Studying and researching scientific subjects and human behavior.
  • Social
    Helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others.
  • Artistic
    Creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials.

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Skills for Sociologists

In order of importance

  • Speaking
    Talking to others.
    Importance: 78/100
  • Active Listening
    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
    Importance: 78/100
  • Critical Thinking
    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
    Importance: 75/100
  • Reading Comprehension
    Reading work-related information.
    Importance: 75/100
  • Writing
    Writing things for co-workers or customers.
    Importance: 75/100
  • Active Learning
    Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
    Importance: 75/100
  • Social Perceptiveness
    Understanding people's reactions.
    Importance: 72/100
  • Learning Strategies
    Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
    Importance: 72/100
  • Judgment and Decision Making
    Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
    Importance: 66/100
  • Instructing
    Teaching people how to do something.
    Importance: 66/100
  • Complex Problem Solving
    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
    Importance: 66/100
  • Monitoring
    Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
    Importance: 63/100
  • Systems Analysis
    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
    Importance: 53/100
  • Coordination
    Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
    Importance: 53/100
  • Science
    Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
    Importance: 53/100
  • Systems Evaluation
    Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
    Importance: 53/100
  • Time Management
    Managing your time and the time of other people.
    Importance: 50/100
  • Service Orientation
    Looking for ways to help people.
    Importance: 50/100
  • Persuasion
    Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
    Importance: 47/100
  • Mathematics
    Using math to solve problems.
    Importance: 47/100
  • Management of Personnel Resources
    Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
    Importance: 47/100
  • Negotiation
    Bringing people together to solve differences.
    Importance: 44/100
  • Operations Analysis
    Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
    Importance: 35/100
  • Management of Material Resources
    Managing equipment and materials.
    Importance: 19/100
  • Programming
    Writing computer programs.
    Importance: 19/100
  • Management of Financial Resources
    Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
    Importance: 16/100
  • Technology Design
    Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
    Importance: 16/100
  • Operations Monitoring
    Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
    Importance: 10/100
  • Quality Control Analysis
    Testing how well a product or service works.
    Importance: 3/100

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Knowledge for Sociologists

In order of importance

  • Sociology and Anthropology
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
    Importance: 100/100
  • English Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
    Importance: 90/100
  • Education and Training
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    Importance: 80/100
  • Mathematics
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    Importance: 62/100
  • History and Archeology
    Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
    Importance: 60/100
  • Computers and Electronics
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
    Importance: 59/100
  • Philosophy and Theology
    Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
    Importance: 54/100
  • Psychology
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
    Importance: 54/100
  • Law and Government
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
    Importance: 54/100
  • Communications and Media
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
    Importance: 45/100
  • Administration and Management
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
    Importance: 44/100
  • Geography
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
    Importance: 43/100
  • Personnel and Human Resources
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
    Importance: 41/100
  • Customer and Personal Service
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    Importance: 34/100
  • Administrative
    Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
    Importance: 33/100
  • Foreign Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
    Importance: 29/100
  • Therapy and Counseling
    Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
    Importance: 21/100
  • Economics and Accounting
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
    Importance: 21/100
  • Sales and Marketing
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
    Importance: 20/100
  • Fine Arts
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
    Importance: 19/100
  • Public Safety and Security
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
    Importance: 18/100
  • Production and Processing
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
    Importance: 16/100
  • Medicine and Dentistry
    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
    Importance: 15/100
  • Telecommunications
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
    Importance: 15/100
  • Biology
    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
    Importance: 15/100
  • Design
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    Importance: 8/100
  • Transportation
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
    Importance: 6/100
  • Food Production
    Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
    Importance: 3/100
  • Engineering and Technology
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
    Importance: 3/100
  • Building and Construction
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    Importance: 1/100
  • Mechanical
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    Importance: 1/100

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Physical Abilities for Sociologists

In order of importance

  • Oral Comprehension
    Listening and understanding what people say.
    Importance: 81/100
  • Oral Expression
    Communicating by speaking.
    Importance: 81/100
  • Inductive Reasoning
    Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
    Importance: 78/100
  • Written Expression
    Communicating by writing.
    Importance: 78/100
  • Written Comprehension
    Reading and understanding what is written.
    Importance: 78/100
  • Deductive Reasoning
    Using rules to solve problems.
    Importance: 75/100
  • Speech Clarity
    Speaking clearly.
    Importance: 72/100
  • Near Vision
    Seeing details up close.
    Importance: 66/100
  • Speech Recognition
    Recognizing spoken words.
    Importance: 66/100
  • Problem Sensitivity
    Noticing when problems happen.
    Importance: 63/100
  • Category Flexibility
    Grouping things in different ways.
    Importance: 63/100
  • Fluency of Ideas
    Coming up with lots of ideas.
    Importance: 56/100
  • Originality
    Creating new and original ideas.
    Importance: 53/100
  • Information Ordering
    Ordering or arranging things.
    Importance: 53/100
  • Mathematical Reasoning
    Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
    Importance: 50/100
  • Selective Attention
    Paying attention to something without being distracted.
    Importance: 44/100
  • Flexibility of Closure
    Seeing hidden patterns.
    Importance: 44/100
  • Memorization
    Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
    Importance: 38/100
  • Far Vision
    Seeing details that are far away.
    Importance: 38/100
  • Number Facility
    Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
    Importance: 35/100
  • Perceptual Speed
    Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
    Importance: 28/100
  • Speed of Closure
    Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
    Importance: 28/100
  • Time Sharing
    Doing two or more things at the same time.
    Importance: 28/100
  • Visualization
    Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
    Importance: 25/100
  • Visual Color Discrimination
    Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
    Importance: 19/100
  • Trunk Strength
    Using your lower back and stomach.
    Importance: 19/100
  • Hearing Sensitivity
    Telling the difference between sounds.
    Importance: 16/100
  • Auditory Attention
    Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
    Importance: 16/100
  • Wrist-Finger Speed
    Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
    Importance: 10/100
  • Depth Perception
    Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
    Importance: 10/100
  • Finger Dexterity
    Putting together small parts with your fingers.
    Importance: 3/100

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Tools and Technology used by Sociologists

  • Desktop computers
  • Digital camcorders or video cameras
  • Digital voice recorders
  • Laser printers
  • Personal computers
  • Scanners
  • Tablet computers
  • Videoconferencing systems
  • Accounting software
    • Fund accounting software
  • Analytical or scientific software
    • ATLAS.ti
    • Circle Systems Stat/Transfer
    • Data visualization software
    • IBM SPSS Statistics
    • Muthen & Muthen Mplus
    • SAS
    • Scientific Software International HLM
    • Scientific Software International LISREL
    • StataCorp Stata
    • VERBI MAXQDA
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
    • Customer relationship management CRM software
    • Salesforce software
  • Data base user interface and query software
    • Microsoft Access
    • QSR International NVivo
    • Qualtrics Research Suite
    • Thomson Reuters EndNote
  • Desktop publishing software
    • Microsoft Publisher
  • Document management software
    • Adobe Acrobat
  • Electronic mail software
    • Email software
    • Microsoft Outlook
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
    • SAP software
  • Geographic information system
    • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
    • Adobe Photoshop
  • Information retrieval or search software
    • Online reference databases
  • Internet browser software
    • Web browser software
  • Object or component oriented development software
    • R
  • Object oriented data base management software
    • Database management system DBMS
  • Office suite software
    • Microsoft Office software
  • Operating system software
    • Microsoft Windows
  • Presentation software
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Process mapping and design software
    • Microsoft Visio
  • Project management software
    • Microsoft Project
  • Spreadsheet software
    • Microsoft Excel
  • Web page creation and editing software
    • Adobe Dreamweaver
    • Facebook
    • Social media sites
    • Web editing software
  • Word processing software
    • Helios TextPad
    • Microsoft Word

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Employment Industries for Sociologists

  • Research and development in the social sciences and humanities
    1,000 employed
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state
    700 employed
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals
    600 employed
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals
    200 employed
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private
    100 employed

The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements.

Occupation data (titles, sample titles, descriptions, daily work activities, knowledge, skills, abilities, tasks, related occupations, technologies and tools, and work values) come from the O*NET 29.0 Database (www.onetcenter.org/database.html) by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Current as of October 2024.

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Career Information Datasources for Sociologists

Below you will find the Career Field and Career Cluster that this program is related to. Learn more about if this career area fits your interests!

Human Services Human Services

Is Human Services right for you?

Human services workers help individuals and families meet their personal needs. You might work in a government office, hospital, nonprofit agency, nursing home, spa, hotel, or school. Or, you might work in your own home.

Plan Your Education

The Sociology Transfer Pathway Program Guide is a tool to help you map out how to successfully get your degree at Lake Superior College.

View approximate total tuition and fees for MN residents to complete this degree.

Program Outcomes

A student completing Lake Superior College’s Minnesota State Sociology Transfer Pathway and transferring into a designated bachelor’s program in Sociology at a Minnesota State university will have junior standing and may complete the bachelor’s degree within an additional 60 credits. You will be able to transfer to the following designated majors at these Minnesota State universities:

  • Bemidji State University: Sociology, BA
  • Metropolitan State University: Social Science, BA
  • Minnesota State, Mankato: Applied Sociology, BA; Sociology, BA; Applied Sociology, BS; Sociology, BS
  • Minnesota State, Moorhead: Sociology, BA
  • St. Cloud State University: Sociology, BA; Sociology, BA (Concentration in Critical Applied Sociology)
  • Winona State University: Sociology, BA

To graduate and be guaranteed admission to a Minnesota State university’s designated program you must earn an overall grade point average as indicated by the university to which you will transfer.

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