About Sociology (BA)

Sociology is about people and how we live together in social groups. Its focus ranges from the study of close interpersonal interactions to transformations in global economic, political and social systems. Most importantly, Sociology helps us to grasp the crucial connections between the interpersonal and the global levels. By engaging with sociological theory, social research methods and social policy we are better able to grasp how technological developments and changing values affect us individually and as a society. In an era of widespread social and economic dislocation, sociological skills are becoming increasingly important in a wide range of professions and occupations. By enhancing our understanding of social relations, Sociology helps to empower us in many areas of our lives and beyond the workplace.

You will study sociological theory, social research methods and social policy to enhance your understanding of social relations. If you want to better understand the processes of social interaction in which we are all enmeshed then Sociology at Murdoch is the course for you.

What can you do with a Sociology degree?

As a Sociology graduate you could choose to pursue a role as a:

• Social Worker;
• Correctional Treatment Specialist;
• Sociologist;
• Public Administrator;
• Social Policy Maker;
• Social Scientist.

Some of your potential employers may be:

• Prisons or Jails;
• Parole or Probation Agencies;
• Government Welfare Departments;
• Department of Immigration,
• Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs;
• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations;
• Centre Link.

• Download the flyer for this course.

How to apply:

Our entry requirements tool will help you find the most appropriate and quickest pathways to admission. The tool will take you through a couple of steps to help identify the best pathways for you based on your situation. Once you have chosen the most suitable pathway you will also be provided you with information on how to apply based on the criteria you are using for admission.

Domestic student applications:

If you would like to apply for this course you can now:

• Apply online
• Apply through TISC
• Download an application form

International student applications:

If you would like to apply for this course you can now:

• Apply online
• Download an application form

Course Details

Length	3 years full-time internal study or part-time equivalent. Available fully externally Please note that international students can only study full-time
International fee information	$15,750 indicative annual fee
Location	South Street and Rockingham Campuses
Murdoch course code	B1108
TISC Code	MUSOC (South Street) MRRUC (Rockingham)
TER cut-off for 2008	South Street 91.60 or country equivalent Rockingham N/A
STAT score required	>145
Information on course units	Link to handbook entry

Recommended TEE subjects

We don’t have prerequisite subjects for any of our courses as we are a strong promoter of a well rounded education. However, remember that you will need to demonstrate competence in English, normally through passing either English or English Literature or by getting a sufficiently high score in ESL.

Course Structure

Year 1

Foundation Unit
All new first year students take a Foundation Unit. These are designed so you have some idea what's going on, because, let's face it, you've never been to uni before!

Core Units
You must take these units for a particular major to gain a specialisation in this area.

• Individual vs Society in a Global Age
• Understanding Everyday Life: Living Under Pressure

General Electives
You must take these units to have enough units to graduate. General Electives give you the flexibility to learn from a variety of different areas. Select five units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

• For a full course structure download our course flyer

Suggested Double Majors

To take a double major, students simply take the core units from another major in place of their general elective units. Some recommended double majors are:

• Australian Indigenous Studies,
• Community Development,
• Education,
• History,
• Legal Studies,
• Media Studies,
• Philosophy,
• Politics & International Studies,
• Psychology,
• Security Terrorism & Counterterrorism,
• Sustainable Development,
• Tourism, Gender & Cultural Studies.

What are my Career Options?

As a Murdoch Sociology graduate, your employment outlook is bright, especially if you combine it with other disciplines. Depending on which skill combinations or specialisations you have, your Murdoch degree may lead you towards work and study opportunities in a number of areas. The following are some professions to consider, including extra majors that will improve your prospects of achieving them.

Profession	What they do	Suggested double majors
Social Worker	This job is for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. Social Workers help people function the best way they can in their environment, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. They often deal with people who face a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, a serious illness, a disability, or substance abuse.	Theology Australian Indigenous Studies Community Development Psychology Gender and Cultural Studies
Correctional Treatment Specialist	In jails and prisons, Correctional Treatment Specialists evaluate the progress of inmates. They also work with inmates, probation officers, and other agencies to develop parole and release plans. Their case reports are provided to the appropriate parole board when their clients are eligible for release. In addition, they plan education and training programs to improve offenders’ job skills and provide them with coping, anger management, and drug and sexual abuse counselling either individually or in groups. They usually write treatment plans and summaries for each client. Correctional Treatment Specialists working in parole and probation agencies perform many of the same duties as their counterparts who work in correctional institutions.	Theology Psychology Security Terrorism and Counterterrorism Australian Indigenous Studies Legal Studies Criminology
Sociologist	Sociologists study society and social behaviour by examining the groups and social institutions people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organisations. They also study the behaviour of, and interaction among, groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyse the influence of group activities on individual members. Sociologists are concerned with the characteristics of social groups, organisations, and institutions; the ways individuals are affected by each other and by the groups to which they belong; and the effect of social traits such as gender, age, or race on a person’s daily life. The results of sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others who are interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy.	Theology Gender and Cultural Studies Politics and International Studies History Community Development Philosophy
Social Work Planners / Social Policy Makers	Social Work Planners and Policymakers develop programs to address such issues as child abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, and violence. These workers research and analyse policies, programs, and regulations. They identify social problems and suggest legislative and other solutions. They may help raise funds or write grants to support these programs.	Public Policy and Management Community Development Legal Studies Politics and International Studies

• For a full list of career options download our career sheet