Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to think critically and imaginatively about social issues and to promote social betterment.
As students work towards their degree, they will find that sociology is much more than an academic discipline. In fact, sociology offers students an exciting new way of seeing the social world they live in. Students can expect sociology to enrich their personal life, as well as prepare their way for a deeply satisfying professional life.
Goals of the major include the acquisition of knowledge about human diversity, social inequality, and the pursuit of social justice.
The major and its programs prepare students for various professional roles in Human Services and Criminal Justice, and provide the educational background necessary for students to pursue graduate studies in criminology/criminal justice, law, social work, counseling, policy development, research, and other related disciplines.
Concentrations
With a concentration on a sociological framework, the Sociology-Criminology curriculum gives students a thorough understanding of the social, cultural, and political factors that influence criminal behavior and the institutions of justice. Along with these skills, the degree offers training in social disparity, working with a variety of people, and comprehending policy disputes, social control, and crime in the larger settings of culture, politics, and society.
Students who specialize in Diversity and Inequality gain a sociological perspective on social diversity by examining it through the lenses of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, as well as the ways in which these identities overlap. Through mandatory courses in the major, students who pursue this emphasis will also get experience in research and data analysis, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base.
The applied sociology and community engagement concentration teaches students how to use sociological concepts, theories, and research methods to solve real-world problems in the community. Students pursuing this concentration will be well-prepared for positions in program development and assessment, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and policy analysis. Students interested in professions in human and social services, research-related fields in business, law, education, criminal justice, substance misuse, public affairs, and urban planning should choose this emphasis.
Why ESU?
The ESU Sociology program is interdisciplinary by design. In addition to a comprehensive Sociology education, students can choose to take Social Work or Criminal Justice courses. Some faculty teach across all three programs, providing a broad array of knowledge and experiences. The program also offers an array of courses on diversity and non-Western societies.
This significant cross-pollination between each discipline and the emphasis on human diversity in Sociology curriculum enable students to further their preparation academically and professionally for real world employment.
In Sociology, students learn about the social worlds we live in and the powerful social forces that shape our lives.
What You'll Learn
- Students will learn about the social worlds we live in and the powerful social forces that shape our lives. At the personal level, Sociology helps us better understand ourselves and the choices we make. It helps us understand forces such as gender roles, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, family issues, social media that influence everyday life. At the societal level, Sociology helps us understand complicated social issues such as poverty, homelessness, discrimination, social movements and crime.
- Sociology offers an array of courses on human diversity as well as electives that meet students’ specialized interests, including topics on race, ethnicity, gender and social class. Our program also offers cross-cultural studies, including courses on non-Western societies.
- Every student takes a course in quantitative analysis and one in research methods. From these courses students learn how to design research projects, analyze and interpret data. These critical skills are needed in today’s job market.
- Our students have good success getting jobs after graduation. However, many of our students choose to pursue advanced study in graduate and professional schools, and to enter a wide variety of people-oriented jobs.
-
Every Sociology student has the option to engage in independent research with a professor of their choice on topics of special interest to them from their own life experience and curiosity, such as socialization of youth, gender studies, and sociology of environment. Students can also complete one or more experiential learning projects, such as taking internships in areas such as human resources and social services, or engaging in service learning project in the community.
- We also encourage our students to expand their preparation for careers by minoring or double-majoring in Social Work or Criminal Justice in our department, or in related programs like the Crisis Intervention Certificate offered jointly by Social Work and Psychology.
Career Opportunities
Our alumni earn positions in:
- Human services and community organizing
- Research and data management
- Human resource management
- State and local government
- Private sector
- Direct care
- Student life
Student Organizations
ESU's chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Honor Society for Sociology, recognizes student academic excellence.
The Sociology, Social Work & Criminal Justice Club is open to all majors and minors in the department and provides an interdisciplinary opportunity for club members to plan Community Issues Forums/Speakers, and co-sponsor the annual “Night Without a Home” and “First Responder” events on campus.
The Club also coordinates field trips to various community-based organizations; and develops and implements community service projects.
Internships and Career Development at ESU
Get hands-on experience with an internship that helps you gain practical skills, expand your professional network, and enhance your resume.
Internships allow you to explore your career interests while applying classroom knowledge to meaningful projects, setting you apart as a job-ready graduate.
Hands-on Learning
Research Opportunities
Students across each major in the department have had the opportunity to serve as research assistants on a variety of faculty-led research projects related to different facets of the fields of sociology, social work and criminal justice.
Additionally, students can engage in faculty-supervised independent studies for academic credit that examine and analyze contemporary issues in sociology, social work and criminal justice.
Career Development at ESU
We'll help you launch your career. Support services are available through the ESU Career Development Center. The center offers a variety of internship opportunities, career planning, and employment services to all ESU students and alumni.
Become a Warrior
Take the next step toward earning your Sociology degree at ESU
Contact Us
Campus Address
Stroud Hall 101
(570) 422-3453
Co-Department Chair, Sociology, Social Work & Criminal Justice
Dr. Marianne Cutler
mcutler@esu.edu
(570) 422-3810
Co-Department Chair, Sociology, Social Work & Criminal Justice
Dr. Chin Hu
chu@esu.edu
(570) 422-3369
