Department of Sociology and Criminology
Explore Your Social World
Do you wonder why people do what they do, why poverty or racism exists, why there is discrimination against women, or why people commit crime? Studying sociology you will explore social issues and trends like unemployment, globalization, shopping and consumerism, technology, criminal activities, family relationships, and more. Earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology will allow you to examine the elements of culture and ask the tough questions. You will explore the impact of media on society and social issues in small class sizes that provide individual attention. Ultimately, you’ll gain an understanding of how and why our culture is shaped and apply that knowledge to real world problems.
- 91%are employed full time or enrolled in graduate school five years out
- 23+unique courses offered by the department
- 55%are enrolled in or have completed grad school five years out
Are you interested in crime and society? Do you see yourself as an investigator? Criminology explores what patterns are seen in the criminal justice system, such as arrest rates and discrimination, and identifies the social impact. This path is highly desirable for those with interests in law, law enforcement, forensics, or other governmental careers. There are many career opportunities to put your criminology coursework to use.
Prepare for a career
Coursework in sociology not only explores social issues and the impact on our culture, but provides students with skills in statistical methods and data analysis, which are emerging skills needed in the workforce. Many of our majors also have an interest in criminology, and courses such as Gender and Law, Crime and Society, Social Inequalities in Health, Social Psychology, and others prepare you for a variety of careers including paths in business, research, human resources, social services, criminal justice, and more.
“Sociology changed my life. When you study people’s behavior, you learn how to approach them and be an agent of change in our society.”
— Christian Bean '17
Career paths of alumnae
Kelly Reidenbach '12
Sociology major
Staff Operations Specialist, FBI
Colleen Lowry ’11
Sociology major
Engagement Director, Ohio Democratic Party
Columbus, OH
Noreen Gillespie Connolly ’02
Sociology and political science double major
Deputy Managing Editor, US News, Associated Press
New York, New York
Learn in a supportive environment
Here, your voice will be heard and your professors will know your name. The sociology department is a small, encouraging group of faculty and students. You’ll form meaningful working relationships with faculty and fellow students to explore some of society’s largest afflictions from new perspectives. In the process of discovery, you’ll gain the confidence to speak up and apply your skill set to any career path you choose.
Dive deeper into topics that interest you
Sociology students have the opportunity to choose a topic for their senior research project that interests them. Working closely with faculty, you will receive mentorship to utilize interview and survey methods, analyze data, and dig into the impact. Recent student projects have ranged from interviewing families with an autistic child or surveying latino/a police officers about stress levels, to interviewing guests at the Center For The Homeless in South Bend. These projects often connect the student’s life experience with a point of inquiry and are fueled by a desire to learn more.
Kristie LeBeau ’17 received a SISTAR grant to conduct research with Professor Leslie Wang. Their project was titled, “What Does It Mean to be a Teacher at a Rural School? A Case Study of Four Schools in White County, IN.”
— Kristie LeBeau '18
