Sociology, BA/BS

Major
On Campus, Day
Behavioral Sciences
Sociology classroom

In Short

Prepare for careers that explore the connection between personal experiences and public issues. With a degree in sociology, you’ll gain the skills needed to effect social change and to develop a career for your long-term success.

We've got you covered
What will I do?
  • Gain a detailed understanding of human relationships in society, including everything from everyday conversations to the most complex group interactions
  • Learn the ability to gather and analyze data, to help people better understand their world
  • Develop critical thinking skills necessary to create innovative solutions to difficult social problems

Request Information    Apply Now

Program Overview

In sociology we study topics such as race, gender, poverty, social inequality, culture, crime/deviance, social institutions, and globalization. When you take sociology courses you will study major theories of human behavior in order to gain a better understanding of how our social world is constructed. You will also master the research skills necessary to understand and address key social issues.

Register for classes

Examples of Student Work

  • “Communications Technologies and Interpersonal Relationships” (Honors thesis)
  • Student Perceptions of the North of Main Neighborhood in Fitchburg, MA (Research project from SOC 3130)
  • “Pathways to Veganism: Obstacles of Perception Pertaining to Privilege” (Research proposal in SOC 3130) 
  • “How Have Black Women Experienced Their Treatment While Giving Birth in Central Massachusetts Hospitals” (Research proposal in SOC 3001)
  • “Teacher Burnout: How Can We Help?” (Research proposal in SOC 3001)
  • “The experience of African-American students at a small, predominantly white college or university” (Research proposal in SOC 3001)

As a sociology major at Fitchburg State, I was challenged to study and examine our world in new ways, using research and analysis to expose inequality and injustice. I learned about how human societies operated and how all people are affected by the consequences of racism, sexism, and classism. Sociology is a major that can make you well-prepared for a variety of careers.

Katie Comeau, '14

Experiential Opportunities

Supporting Student Success: Mentorship, supports will help Latino males persist and graduate

Internships

You have the opportunity to do an internship as part of your sociology major. Internship/Practicum options include direct/non-direct service, business and industry, and research. We place students at a wide variety of internship sites including city and state agencies (Department of Children and Families; the Fitchburg Mayor's Office), as well as with groups focusing on healthcare (Lowell Community Health Center; the Joint Coalition on Health), law (Massachusetts Law Reform Institute; UMASS Amherst Student Legal Services Office), disability (Arc of Opportunity; Cardinal Cushing Centers), mental and behavioral health (Devereux; YOU, Inc.), as well as many others.
Read more about: Internships
Students on bus during study abroad in Costa Rica

Study Abroad

Faculty-led study abroad course opportunities increase student life-transforming experiences, as do student/faculty cooperative research projects.
Read more about: Study Abroad

Curriculum and Other Information

 
  • Students will be able to understand key sociological concepts
  • Students will be able to communicate sociological concepts effectively through the use of writing and/or oral skills
  • Students will be able to think critically about social skills and social theories
  • Students will be able to apply sociology to social life
  • Students will develop appropriate skills for conducting sociological research
  • Private sector: Market research / advertising, Human resources, Public relations, Survey research, Research analyst
  • Government: Census, Drug and alcohol prevention, Probation/parole officer, Social worker, Youth and elderly services, Urban planning, International aid worker
  • Non-profit: Community / Union organizer, Non-profit agencies active around issues such as: Race, Poverty, Housing, Policing, Environment, LGBT issues, Immigration