Minard Hall
Room 402
Minard Hall is located
on the south end of campus on Albrecht Boulevard (Campus Map)
Medical Sociology
Students majoring in sociology may select a concentration of medical sociology courses. These courses form a background for students planning to work in health care institutions or social service agencies that provide assistance to people with medical problems and/or disabilities. A medical sociology concentration is helpful for students in pre-medicine, pharmacy, nursing, health care administration, medical technology, social work or pre-mortuary science.
The Program
Medical sociology, a subfield of sociology, examines topics such as the social aspects of physical and mental illness, physician-patient relationships, the organization and structure of health organizations and the socio-economic basis of the health care system. Sociology majors who focus on medical sociology develop research and analytical skills to address issues facing health care providers and those needing health care.
Preparation
A basic background in the social and behavioral sciences is important for a career in medical sociology. Students are encouraged to plan a curriculum that gives them a broad general education. Many students pursue their interest in sociology at the graduate level. North Dakota State University offers graduate work leading to a master's degree. Students then may elect to pursue Ph.D. degrees at other universities.
Career Opportunities
Persons with a background in medical sociology work in hospitals, nursing homes, health care businesses or social service agencies that provide assistance to those with medical problems and disabilities. They also are employed as researchers, administrators, patient advocates, providers of social support for patients, family intervention specialists, hospice workers, personnel specialists, public relations officers, activity directors, coordinators of hospital volunteers, employment interviewers, health planners, policy analysts and management trainees.
Internship Program
Students typically complete internships in their junior or senior year. Internship opportunities exist in many agencies in North Dakota and Minnesota and can be done any time during the calendar year. Students who complete internships are able to combine the theoretical and applied aspects of professional preparation. Internships are an important element of successful job placement. Past students have held internships at MeritCare and Lutheran Social Services.
Curriculum
Sociology majors with a medical sociology emphasis may select classes in the sociology of medicine, mental health, aging, women's health, death and dying, and bioethics.
- Anth. 111 - Introduction to Anthropology - 3
- Comm. 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3 -
- Engl. 110, 120 - College Composition I, II 3 3
- Psyc. 111 - Introduction to Psychology - 3
- Soc. 110 - Introduction to Sociology 3 -
- General Education Requirements/Electives 6 6
- Total15 15
- Soc. 115 - Social Problems - 3
- Soc. 214 - Social Interaction 3 -
- Soc. 233 - Social Organization 3 -
- General Education Requirements/Electives 9 12
- Total 15 15
- Soc. 340 - Social Research Methods 3 -
- Soc. 341 - Social Research Methods Lab 1 -
- Soc. 422 - Development of Social Theory - 3
- Soc. 426 - Sociology of Medicine 3 -
- Soc. 440 - Sociology of Aging 3 -
- Stat. 330 - Introductory Statistics - 3
- General Education Requirements/Electives 5 9
- Total 15 15
- Soc. 427 - Sociology of Mental Health - 3
- Soc. 441 - Sociology of Death - 3
- Soc. 442 - Current Issues in Medicine - 3
- Soc. 496 - Internship 6 -
- General Education Requirements/Electives 9 8
- Total 15 17
- Curriculum Total 122
A wide variety of elective courses and academic minors
can be effectively combined with a concentration in medical sociology.
Your medical sociology adviser will work with you to select a minor
and elective courses that best fit your career aspirations. (This sample
curriculum focuses on courses related to medical sociology and does
not include a full list of requirements for the University's general
education requirements or those required by the College of Arts, Humanities
and Social Sciences).
This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide
for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for
prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the
time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or
with the Office of Registration and Records.
Contact Information
Kathleen Slobin, Ph.D.
or
Daniel J. Klenow, Ph.D
Department of Sociology-Anthropology
North Dakota State University
Minard Hall 402
Fargo, ND 58105
Tel: (701) 231-8657
Fax: (701) 231-1047
Email: Kathleen.Slobin@ndsu.edu
Email: Daniel.Klenow@ndsu.edu
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/
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