Four-Year Degree & Development Plans
Below we’ve provided a four-year development plan for students in our program. This development plan will help students set and achieve meaningful goals, with a particular focus on preparing for life and work beyond Butler.
We’ve also provided four-year degree plans for many of our majors to illustrate how students could complete a degree from our department in four years. These degree plans suggest which classes students should generally plan to complete each semester they are at Butler.
We know that each student will chart their own path at Butler with the help of their advisors. Neither the development nor the four-year degree plan should be seen as prescriptive. Instead, each plan should be seen as a directional guide helping students stay on track during their time at Butler.
First Year:
- Develop relationships with academic advisor, faculty, staff and other majors/minors
- Explore extracurricular opportunities, both related and not related to the discipline
- Develop a four-year plan for coursework
- Add a major/minor, if necessary
Sophomore:
- Develop interest in a sub-field associated with the discipline by exploring courses and pushing one’s boundaries in selecting courses
- Pursue a leadership role in extracurricular activities
- Start attending career fairs
- Identify potential career paths/post-graduate plans
- Identify potential internship opportunities and/or Service Learning courses
- Begin resume building
- Consider study abroad opportunities
Junior:
- Prepare for graduate or professional school entrance exams and secure recommenders OR identify potential career path
- Complete an internship and/or Service Learning courses
- Pursue a leadership role in extracurricular activities
- Explore possibilities for conducting independent research or getting involved with a faculty member’s research
- Begin completing an honors thesis proposal, if applicable
- Apply for the Butler Summer Institute, if applicable
- Continue resume building
Senior:
- Apply to graduate/professional school OR jobs
- Complete honors thesis research, if applicable
- Polish resume or CV
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| AN101 | SW215-AN or SW216-AN (if offered) |
| SW200-SO | SO205 or other SO Elective |
| First Year Seminar | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| Language | Language |
| Core or other Major/Minor | First Year Seminar |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| AN300-level Elective | AN300-level Elective |
| SO293 | SO Elective |
| Core (GHS) | Core (WB) or other Major/Minor |
| Language | Language |
| Core (NW) | Core (GHS*) |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| AN352 or AN390 (courses rotate) | Capstone AN460 or AN300-level elective |
| AN Elective | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO Elective |
| SO Elective | Community Engagement** |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Elective |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| AN352 or AN390 (courses rotate) | Capstone AN460 or AN300-level elective |
| AN Elective | Community Engagement (if needed)** |
| SO486 | SO486 or SO Elective (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| SW200-SO | SO205 or SO Elective |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| Language | Language |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor or Elective |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| SO293 or SO Elective | SO345 or SO Elective |
| Core (GHS) | Core (GHS*) |
| Core (NW) | Core (WB) or other Major/Minor |
| Language | Language |
| Other Major/Minor Elective | Other Major/Minor or Elective |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO321 or SO Elective | SO Elective |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | SO Elective or Community Engagement** |
| SO Elective or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| SO486/SO499 | SO486/SO499 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| SO Elective | SO Elective |
| SO Elective or other Major/Minor | SO Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| Other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Language | Language |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| SW250 | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| SW200-SO | SO205 |
| PS110 | SW250 and/or PS110 (if not completed in 1st year fall semester) |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| Core (GHS) | Core (GHS*) |
| Core (NW) | Language |
| Language | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| PS210 | SO Elective |
| SO Elective | PS211 |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| PS 300-level Elective | PS 300-level Elective |
| PS 300-level Elective | PS 300-level Elective |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO Elective | SO Elective or Community Engagement** |
| Core | Other Major/Minor or Elective |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| PS 300/400-level Elective | PS Capstone or SO486 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| SO Elective or Community Engagement** | SO Elective |
| PS Capstone or SO486 | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Language | Language |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| SO200-SO | SO205 |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| Core (GHS) | Core (GHS*) |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Language |
| Language | Core (WB) or other Major/Minor |
| SO293 or SO Elective | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| SO Elective (5 different areas) | SO345 |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| Core (NW) | SO391 or SO393 |
| Core (WB) | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO321 |
| SO Elective (5 different areas) | Community Engagement** |
| Elective or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor or Elective |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| SO486 or SO499 | SO486 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| SO Elective (5 different areas) | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| SO Elective | SO Elective |
| Elective or other Major/Minor | Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Community Engagement** | Elective or other Major/Minor |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| TI24X-PL (242 or 244 req.) | PL351 or PL343 |
| SW200-SO | SO205 or other SO Elective |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Language | Language |
| Core (PCA) | Core (AR231-PL) |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| PL345 or PL360 (PL core req.) | PL3XX (Ethics, Social, Political) |
| SO293 | SO Elective |
| Core (GHS) | Elective/2nd Major |
| Language | Language |
| Elective/2nd Major | Core (GHS*) |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| PL3XX (History) | PL Elective (Open) |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO391 or SO393 |
| Elective/2nd Major | Community Engagement** |
| Core (NW) | Elective/2nd Major |
| Core (WB) | Elective/2nd Major |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| PL Elective (Open) | PL410 |
| SO486 | Community Engagement (if needed)** |
| Elective/2nd Major | SO486 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) or SO Elective |
| Elective/2nd Major | Elective/2nd Major |
| Elective/2nd Major | Elective/2nd Major |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| Intro PO Elective (2 different areas) | Intro PO Elective (2 different areas) |
| SW200-SO | SO205 or other Sociology Elective |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Language | Language |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| PO201 | Upper Level PO Elective (3 different areas) |
| SO293 | SO Elective |
| Core (GHS) | Core (WB) or other Major/Minor |
| Language | Language |
| Core (NW) | Core (GHS*) |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| Upper Level PO Elective (3 different areas) | Upper Level PO Elective (3 different areas) |
| Upper Level PO Elective (3 different areas) | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO Elective |
| SO Elective | Community Engagement** |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Elective |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| Upper Level PO Elective (3 different areas) | PO490 Capstone |
| SO486 | Community Engagement (if needed)** |
| Elective | SO486 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) or SO Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| SW200-SO | SO205 or SO Elective |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| Language | Language |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor or Elective |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| SO293 or SO Elective | SO Elective |
| Core (GHS) | Core (GHS*) |
| Core (NW) | Core (WB) or other Major/Minor |
| Language | Language |
| Other Major/Minor Elective | Other Major/Minor or Elective |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO Elective | SO Elective |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | SO Elective or Community Engagement** |
| SO Elective or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| SO486/SO499 | SO486/SO499 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| SO Elective | SO Elective |
| SO Elective or other Major/Minor | SO Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| Other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| SW200-SO | SO205 or SO Elective |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| Language | Language |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor or Enrichment |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| SO293 or SO Elective | SO345 or SO Elective |
| Core (GHS) | Core (GHS*) |
| Core (NW) | Core (WB) or other Major/Minor |
| Language | Language |
| Other Major/Minor Enrichment | Other Major/Minor or Enrichment |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO381 | SO383 or SO385 |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | SO Elective or Community Engagement** |
| SO Elective or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| Core or other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| SO486/SO499 | SO486/SO499 (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| SO Elective | SO 383 or SO385 (whichever course has not completed in 3rd year spring semester) |
| SO Elective or other Major/Minor | SO Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
| Other Major/Minor | Other Major/Minor |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options. Students should also discuss strategies to complete the SO383 & SO385 requirements if aboard in Spring term because these courses are only offered every other Spring term.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Language | Language |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | SO205 |
| SW200-SO | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (GHS*) |
| Core (GHS) | Language |
| Language | SO345 |
| SO293 or SO Elective | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| SO Elective (5 different areas) | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| Core (NW) | SO383 or SO385 |
| Core (WB) | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO381 | SO321 |
| SO391 or SO393 | Community Engagement** |
| Elective or other Major/Minor | Elective or other Major/Minor |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| SO486 or SO499 | SO486 or SO399 (if not completed 4th year fall) |
| SO Elective (5 different areas) | SO383 or SO385 |
| SO Elective (5 different areas) | SO Elective (5 different areas) |
| Elective or other Major/Minor | Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Community Engagement** | Elective or other Major/Minor |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options.
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options. Students should also discuss strategies to complete the SO383 & SO385 requirements if aboard in Spring term because these courses are only offered every other Spring term.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.
| 1st YEAR FALL | 1st YEAR SPRING |
| First Year Seminar | First Year Seminar |
| Language | Language |
| Core (AR/TI/PCA) | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| SW250 | Core (AR/TI/PCA) |
| PS110 | SO205 |
| SW200-SO | SW250 and/or PS211 (if not taken in fall) |
| 2nd YEAR FALL | 2nd YEAR SPRING |
| Core (GHS) | Core (GHS*) |
| Language | Language |
| Core (NW) | Core (WB) |
| PS210 | PS211 |
| SO381 | SP383 or SO385 |
| 3rd YEAR FALL | 3rd YEAR SPRING |
| Core | PS300-level |
| PS300-level | PS300-level |
| PS300-level | SO391 or SO393 |
| SO391 or SO393 | SO383 or SO385 |
| SO Inequality | Elective or Community Engagement** |
| 4th YEAR FALL | 4th YEAR SPRING |
| PS300 or PS400-level elecrtive | Capstone in either SO or PS (if wasn’t completed in fall of 4th year) |
| SO Elective or Community Engagement** | SO Elective (if needed) |
| Capstone in either SO or PS | Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Elective or other Major/Minor | Elective or other Major/Minor |
| Elective or other Major/Minor | Elective or other Major/Minor |
*If a student chooses to study abroad, they should talk to their advisor about elective options. Students should also discuss strategies to complete the SO383 & SO385 requirements if aboard in Spring term because these courses are only offered every other Spring term.
**Students satisfy the Community Engagement Requirement through a Service Learning or Internship course, typically in their 3rd or 4th year.