Sociology

Honors Program

Through the undergraduate Sociology Honors Program, the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences provides its outstanding students with opportunities to work closely with faculty and graduate students with shared interests. Students accepted into the program plan their course work for the senior year in consultation with a faculty mentor. Under the supervision of this mentor, Honors Students conduct sociological research in their area of interest culminating in the writing of an Honors Thesis. Students apply to the Honors Program in the spring semester of their junior year for admission the following fall. Admission to the program is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Junior class standing
  2. 12 semester hours of sociology course work by the end of the semester in which application is made.
  3. Overall USF GPA of 3.00 or higher

Completion Requirements:

  1. Complete all requirements for the major
  2. Complete senior year course plan approved by faculty mentor
  3. Maintain both Overall and Major GPAs of at least 3.00
  4. Successfully Complete a special section of Senior Seminar (SYA 4935)
  5. Successfully Complete the Honors Thesis

For more information, please contact the Undergraduate Program Director, or check out the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Undergraduate Handbook.

Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is the International Sociology Honor Society dedicated to encouragement and recognition of academic excellence in sociology, as well as to the promotion of interest and research in sociology and activities the enhance human wellbeing.

Founded in 1920 by Dr. Edward Bogardus at the University of Southern California, AKD takes its name from three Greek words, "anthropon" (humankind), "katamanthanein" (to investigate thoroughly), and "diakonesein" (for the purpose of service).

AKD has over 430 chapters in the United States and around the world, and publishes a well-respected professional journal, Sociological Inquiry. USF's AKD chapter began in 1978 and inducted its first members in 1979. Dr. Erica Toothman is the faculty advisor for our chapter.

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate students:

  • Declared major in Sociology
  • Currently enrolled at USF (during the semester in which application is made)
  • Junior or Senior status
  • Overall GPA and GPA in Sociology of 3.30 or higher
  • Completed at least 12 hours of Sociology coursework
  • Payment of $50.00 for lifetime membership

Eligibility Requirements for Graduate students:

  • Admission to the Department of Sociology M.A. or Ph.D. program
  • Currently enrolled at USF (during the semester in which application is made)
  • Overall GPA and GPA in Sociology of 3.50 or higher
  • Completed at least 3 graduate courses in Sociology
  • Payment of $50.00 for lifetime membership

How to join:

To join Alpha Kappa Delta, please contact the Undergraduate Program Director.