Play a role in social change.
Our program equips you with comprehensive skills and knowledge in social and political theory, social research and public policy. This program’s core focus is sociology and offers you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as geography, politics and international relations, public policy, Indigenous studies and development studies.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- ** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2017. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- ** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2017. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
Our program equips you with comprehensive skills and knowledge in social and political theory, social research and public policy. This program’s core focus is sociology and offers you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as geography, politics and international relations, public policy, Indigenous studies and development studies.
Develop your understanding of the social, political, economic and environmental processes that underpin social change and conflict at local, national and international levels. Complete an elective industry project in a social or community organisation to apply your theory to practice.
You’ll embody a compassion for others and develop an ethos of integrity, social justice and equity. Our social science degree is a strong base for further studies in law or honours. You’ll have a wide variety of career options in areas such as advocacy, community education, social services, international aid work and research.
Majors
Criminology, Development Studies; Geography; Politics and International Relations; Sociology; Sustainability-Society.
Career opportunities
Policy analysis and development, social planning, government, research, local and regional planning, community education, industrial relations, unions, welfare.
Program structure
Introductory courses (3)
COR109 Communication and Thought
SCS110 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Advanced courses (5)
SCS225 Social Research
SCS230 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS295 Gender and Culture
Major or minor courses (8)
Completion of the above plus one further advanced sociology course enables you to graduate with a Sociology major (please follow the link to see the list of advanced courses available in the Sociology major). Register your selected Majors and Minors.
In addition, select 8 courses to complete 1 major from those listed below or 2 minors from those listed below:
Select a major (8 courses) from:
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Politics and International Relations
- Sustainability - Society
Or select 2 minors (4 courses each) from:
- Community Development
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Geography
- Indigenous Studies
- Politics and International Relations
- Public Policy
Elective courses (8)
Select 8 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). It is strongly recommended that electives be utilised to complete an additional minor or to convert your chosen minor to a major.
The following elective course is strongly recommended*:
SCS2IP1 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies *
*students who complete SCS2IP1 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies in addition to the required courses in this program are eligible for a major in Sociology. Register your selected Majors and Minors with your Faculty.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)