General Objective

The program is to produce well-educated and qualified professionals, who can effectively serve their country assuming different professional responsibilities, and play rightful role in development processes & enable the discipline to make significant contributions to nation building efforts.

 Specific Objectives:

Ø Produce qualified professional sociologists who are knowledgeable in sociological theories and methods so as to carry out research in the field for the purpose of building a body of data on the diverse social and cultural systems of Ethiopia;

Ø  Produce Sociology graduates who are capable of integrating social theory, research & practice;

Ø  Produce manpower knowledgeable of the objective conditions of the country and capable of contributing to further understanding of those conditions;

Ø Produce sociology graduates who are capable of participating in research aimed at the identification of the causes and consequences of poverty and related social Problems and generate data as inputs to the process of formulation of appropriate social policies;

Ø  Produce graduates who will have the basic preparation for participating in the formulation of appropriate social policies and programs designed to expedite the process of social and economic development in both rural and urban areas;

Ø  Equip graduates with knowledge, professional skills and ethics necessary for the purpose of mobilizing individuals, groups and communities from diverse cultures and multiple perspectives, for purposes of social development;

Ø Enhance the capacity of graduates for independent or collaborative and multi- disciplinary research, and cross-cultural understanding to promote processes of economic and social development of the country. It also encourages students to develop and apply a “sociological imagination” in the systematic analysis of all things social. Sociology advances the use of the sociological approach in interpreting the causes and consequences of human social behavior, facilitating critical appraisal of social structures and cultures & assessing public policy.

 Professional, Graduate, and Program Profiles

Professional Profile

The professional profile of sociology graduates is presented as follows:

Ø Knowledge of integrating theory, research and practice of Sociology

Ø  Able to enhance the development of Ethiopia in sustainable manner through participation in poverty reduction programs

Ø Manage social service activities in both governmental and non-governmental organizations

Ø Work effectively with the vulnerable groups in society

Ø Work to improve the rural and urban livelihoods through identification of income diversification strategies for the poor sections of society

Ø Able to participate in the development of socio-economic and political policies in the multilingual and multicultural societies

Ø Undertake researches in the existing socio-economic, cultural and political situations of local, national and global societies

Ø  Promote fair and equal treatment of members of a particular society, group or category through advocacy of the rational and integrative thinking and reasoning

Ø  Activate the protection of natural and manmade environment through community mobilization and involvement

Ø Conserve the indigenous knowledge, traditions and culture of Ethiopia

Ø Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of development projects of governmental and non-governmental organizations

Graduate Profile

The graduates of Sociology are supposed to acquire wide-ranging conceptual, pragmatic, methodological and civic competencies that shall prepare them to undertake the following tasks:

A.    Evaluate, critically appraise and discuss various social science theories and perspectives that inform our interpretation of social processes and institutions;

B.      Develop and undertake sociological research projects, while being capable of documenting, writing up and critically assessing empirical findings;

C.     Embark on multidisciplinary and thematic research projects; this will broaden our understanding of social processes from various vantage points and perspectives;

D.    Promote well informed civil discourse within local communities, Ethiopia, the world

E.     Apply sociological perspectives to community and organizational problems;

F.      Serve as change agents by ensuring active participation and effective teamwork amongst community members and by applying sociological knowledge and practice.

G.     Influence national policy making and implementation exercises at different levels of government administration encompassing the local, regional and federal levels.

H.    Advocate on behalf of disadvantaged groups, including, minorities, the poor, the handicapped, the dislocated, famine victims, women, children, etc., who require a culture sensitive and compassionate understanding to their causes;

I.        Function effectively in positions like socio-economic planning, rural and urban development, technology transfer, health and social service delivery, relief provision, labor relations, culture office, teaching, etc., where sociological perspectives and methods are in high demand.

Program Profile

Admission Requirements

Students admitted directly from preparatory (Grade 11 and 12 complete) school are required to meet the national higher education enrolment criteria of that year. And students who have successfully completed the fresh man courses according to the new Educational Road Map can join the program on competitive base.

Graduation Requirements

Students registered in the Department of Sociology must take a total of 257 ECTS/144 Credit Hours.

Regular Degree