Sociology

Message from the Chair

Dear Sociology and Social Services Students,

Welcome to the Department of Sociology! Whether you're just beginning your academic journey or returning to deepen your learning, we’re thrilled to have you with us. You’re joining a vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about understanding and transforming the world we live in.

Sociology is the study of society, power, and human relationships. It gives us the tools to analyze how our lives are shaped by larger social structures—such as race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and nationality—and how we, in turn, can challenge systems of inequality and build more just and inclusive communities.

In today’s world, the insights of sociology are more important than ever. We are living through a time of intense social change and pressing global challenges: the fight for racial and gender justice, the rising visibility of LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit communities, debates over immigration and borders, growing economic inequality, the climate crisis, public health inequities, and widespread political polarization. Through your coursework, research, and community engagement, you will gain the critical thinking skills, ethical grounding, and hands-on experience needed to understand these complex issues and contribute to meaningful change.

Whether your goals include social work, policy, education, community organizing, research, advocacy, or graduate studies, a background in sociology will prepare you to think critically, act compassionately, and lead with integrity. Our faculty are here to support you every step of the way—through mentorship, teaching, and opportunities to apply what you’re learning beyond the classroom.

Thank you for choosing to be part of these programs. We’re honored to walk alongside you as you explore the many ways that sociology can inform your path and your purpose.

In solidarity,

Griff Tester, PhD

Professor & Chair

Why do Students major in Sociology?

According the American Sociological Association study students say they major in society for a variety of reasons.

Quotes from sociology majors stating why they chose to major in sociology:

"After my first sociology course, I was hooked. I was into studying society and how social changes affect us. Sociology offers so many different ways to understand how society works, and it helps us have a greater understanding of why certain things happen in society"

"I had a genuine interest in understanding my own social location in the world"

"I Chose sociology because I felt that sociology would give me the most freedom to explore multiple career paths. As a rising city planner, I am able to see how my understandings of socio-economic disparities operate in an an urban context. I know that in the future I will be able to effectively create solutions in local distressed communities."

"Sociology was a major where I was encouraged to go wherever my mind would take me. I was given the tools to test my ideas and discover actual data to support my theories "

What skills can I gain with a sociology degree? 

The following are all skills that sociology majors can list on their resumes as major skill sets. 

Conduct Research and Analyze Data

Learn both qualitative and quantitative research methods.  This will allow you to recognize trends and patterns and produce social statistics such as those used in market research, opinion polling, sales, and countless other applications.

Communicate Skillfully

Learn how to convey your ideas effectively in writing and presentations

Practice Critical Thinking

Learn to look beyond the surface of issues to discover the "why". Build your analytical skills. Solve problems and identify opportunities.

Gain a Global Perspective

Learn about different cultures and how to analyze the interactions of groups and societies through a global and historical perspective.

Prepare for Graduate School

An undergraduate major in sociology provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in a wide range of fields including law, business, social work, medicine, public health, public administration and, of course, sociology

How are recent sociology graduates using their degree?

• Social Services/Public Services: "I am a caseworker for incarcerated mothers and their infants"
• Program Support: "I am an immigration specialist for a large company . I write petitions for people to receive their Green Cards."
• Management: "I provide management and financial analysis. The work involves forecasting and tracking revenue for large mutli-million dollar efforts as well as labor relations."
• Education: "I teach Conversational English and American Studies classes at a secondary school in Southeastern Ukraine."
• Sales Marketing: "I am a marketing consultant. I assist with the planning and development of marketing strategies for my organization."
• Social Science Researcher: "I am a statistician in the Fertility and Family Statistics Branch of the US Census Bureau."

A Long Line of Great Minds

There are thousands of accomplished people with B.A. M.A. and PhD degrees in sociology who are not necessarily Sociologists with a capital "S" Below is a list of just a few, found by Peter Dreier, Occidental College, for his commencement address to the 2001 department of sociology graduating class of the University of Oregon.

Politics:

• Wellington Webb, mayor of Denver
• Brett Schundler, mayor of Jersey City
• Annette Strauss, former mayor of Dallas
• Rev. Martin Luther King
• Roy Wilkins, former head of NAACP
• Rev. Jesse Jackson
• Rev. Ralph Abernathy
• Shirley Chisholm, former Congresswoman from NY
• Maxine Waters, Congresswoman from LA
• Barbara Mikulski, US Senator from Maryland
• Tim Holden, Congressman from Pennsylvania
• Cardinal Theordore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, DC
• Saul Alinsky, father of community organizing
• Saul Bellow, novelist
• Ronald Reagan (double major in sociology and economics)
• Emily Balch, 1946 Nobel Peace Prize winner (a social worker and social reformer)
• Francis Perkins, social reformer and former Secretary of Labor
• Richard Barajas, Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court
• Michelle Obama, Attorney and First Lady of the United States of America 

Arts:

• Saul Bellow, novelist
  Regis Philbin, TV host
  Dan Aykroyd, actor
  Robin Williams, actor
  Paul Shaffer, bandleader on David Letterman Show (and before that, Saturday Night Live)
• Dinah Shore, singer
• Ruth Westheimer, the “sex doctor” 
• Kalpen Suresh Modi, White House Liaison for Arts and Humanities

Sports:

• Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat
• Bryant Stith, Boston Celtics
• Brian Jordan, Atlanta Braves
• Joe Theisman, NFL quarterback
• Eric Bjornson, Dallas Cowboys
• Bobby Taylor, Eagles cornerback
• Ahmad Rashad, Sportscaster

The content from this page is an excerpt from the brochure "Sociology a 21st Century Major".