See the World Differently. Change It for the Better.
Why Sociology Matters
We're told we control our own destiny. But what shapes who we become? Your friendships, your family, your economic opportunities, the institutions you navigate daily—none of these exist in isolation. Sociology reveals the invisible forces shaping human behavior, relationships, and entire societies. Once you see these patterns, you can't unsee them. And that changes everything.
The science of Sociology enables you to see the world in a new light
What We Study
Sociology is the scientific study of how people interact, how institutions function, and how societies evolve. We examine the structures that govern our lives—from poverty and privilege to technology and social movements, from intimate relationships to global systems. Using both quantitative data and qualitative insight, we answer questions like: Why does inequality persist? How do communities change? What makes movements succeed or fail? Who holds power, and how?
Our research spans the globe and hits close to home: urbanization in St. Louis, memorialization and collective memory, technology's impact on human connection, leadership as a social process, the changing roles of race and gender, gentrification's ripple effects, and more.
What You'll Learn
You'll master the methods that reveal how societies work: survey design, statistical analysis, ethnographic fieldwork, interviewing, and community-based research. You'll work alongside faculty conducting cutting-edge research locally and internationally. You'll have opportunities to explore gerontology, gender studies, and organizational leadership—understanding how age, identity, and power intersect to shape our world.
And you'll do it flexibly. As a leader in online education within the UM system, we offer courses that adapt to your schedule without sacrificing rigor.
UMSL Sociologists Ask Hard Questions and Question Easy Answers
The Student Experience
Sociology students receive training in a variety of social research methods, including questionnaire survey research, social statistical analysis, qualitative methods, interviewing, and ethnographic fieldwork. They also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in urban community-based research.
Sociology students work with faculty who conduct research internationally, nationally, in the St. Louis area, and on the internet. They research topics such as urbanization, gentrification, globalization, business and society, new media, the role of technology in society, memorialization, and the role of veterans in societies. We encourage our Sociology students to take advantage of opportunities to study with faculty in the Gerontology and Gender Studies Programs to explore the impact of aging and gender on both individual identity and the structure of the wider society. We also encourage our student to study leadership as a key component of social change, through our Organizational Leadership program.
Where Sociology Can Take You
Sociology graduates don't just understand social problems—they solve them. Our alumni work in:
- Health and social services
- Human resources and organizational development
- Community planning and nonprofit leadership
- Marketing research and consulting
- Counseling
- Policy analysis and advocacy
- Government and corporate research
- Criminal Justice and Prison Reentry
- City Planning
- Academia and professorships
The analytical thinking, research skills, and social insight you gain here also prepare you for graduate programs across the social sciences and professional fields including law, medicine, public policy, and social work.
The Bottom Line
Sociology teaches you to see patterns others miss, ask questions others avoid, and design solutions that actually work. If you want to understand why the world is the way it is—and how to make it better—start here.
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Department Awards and Honors
The Ray Collins Alumni Award is given annually by the Sociology Alumni Association to the top graduating senior as selected by the faculty.
The Sociology Alumni Awards are awarded by faculty annually on the basis of merit. In addition, two outstanding graduating seniors (one from Sociology and one from Organizational Leadership), a junior, and a freshman are recognized annually based on merit. The Outstanding Sociology Minor Award is presented to the graduating student with the most outstanding minor GPA record.
James Craig
Chair, Teaching Professor and LtCol, U.S. Army (retired)
Ed.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis. St. Louis, MO
Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Robert Cote
Associate Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Capella University. Minneapolis, MN
Coordinator, Organizational Leadership Program
Rachel Craft
Associate Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Kansas. Lawrence, KS
Coordinator, Gerontological Studies
Larry Irons
Associate Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Washington University. St. Louis, MO
Coordinator, Urban Studies
Jennifer Nolan
Associate Teaching Professor
D.Phil. Candidate, University of Oxford. Oxford, UK
Coordinator, Gender Studies
Dante Miller
Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Marisa Omori
Courtesy Affiliate Faculty
Ph.D., University of California. Irvine, CA
Bryonie Carter
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., St. Louis University. St. Louis, MO
Gender Studies Faculty
Hanz Dismer
Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.P.H. & M.S.W., Washington University. St. Louis, MO
Gender Studies Faculty
Andrea Nichols
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis. St. Louis, MO
Sociology and Gender Studies Faculty
Monica Swindle
Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.A., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Gender Studies Faculty
Katrhyn Weber
Adjunct Assistant Professor
M.A., Washington University. St. Louis, MO.
Sociology and Gender Studies Faculty
Robert Keel
Teaching Professor Emeritus
M.A., Washington University. St. Louis, MO
Margo-Lea Hurwitz
Associate Professor Emerita
Ph.D., University of California. Los Angeles, CA
Chikako Usui
Associate Professor Emerita
Ph.D., Stanford University. Palo Alto, CA
Jane Kelley
Advanced Credit Program Faculty
Ed.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis. St. Louis, MO
ACP Sociology Faculty at Francis Howell Central High School
Kristie Faulstich
Advanced Credit Program Faculty
M.S., Grand Canyon University
ACP Sociology Faculty at Central Visual & Performing Arts High School
Jacob Yorg
Advanced Credit Program Faculty
Ed.D., Maryville Univeristy. St. Louis, MO
ACP Sociology Faculty at St. Joseph's Academy
