Sociology

Department website: http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/sociology

Ask yourself, What is this all about?

Sociology is the scientific study of human social relationships, social interactions, and institutions. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole societies. It provides both quantitative and qualitative tools for understanding how and why our society functions, the impact of social intuitions on individual lives, and the challenges of social interaction between individuals and society.

Sociology will enable you to see the world in a new light. In a country like the United States where individualism is celebrated, it is very easy to forget that the way we behave and feel is socially produced. Whether they be friendships, families, church groups, socioeconomic classes, complex organizations, or nations, much of our lives are socially constructed. This is the basic premise of sociology.

Degree with Distinction in Sociology

A degree with distinction in research, scholarship or creativity in the arts is an honor that recognizes a student for outstanding accomplishments in research and/or other creative endeavors. Students majoring in Sociology who meet the criteria may apply for candidacy for a Degree with Distinction during their final year before graduation. The criteria and guidelines for applying for a Sociology Degree with Distinction can be found on our website.

Student Experience

Students receive training in a variety of social research methods, including questionnaire survey research, social statistical analysis, qualitative methods, 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 in Japan, the St. Louis area, and on the internet. They research topics such as urbanization and globalization, Japanese business and society, new media and the role of technology in society. We also encourage our Sociology students to take advantage of opportunities to study with faculty in the Gerontology and Gender Studies Programs exploring of the issues of aging and gender on both individual identity and the structure of the wider society.

The Sociology program is a leader of the University of Missouri system in innovative online education. Several courses offer the flexibility of attending an in-class lecture or accessing the lecture and course material online, according to the individual’s schedule.

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, one outstanding senior, junior, and 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.

Department Honors in Sociology are awarded to B.A. and B.S. degree candidates in sociology with an overall grade point average of 3.2 or better.

Sociology Program Scholarship

The Sociology Program offers scholarships to majors in Sociology. Click the link below for more information.

Sociology Major Scholarship

Go to the Financial Aid page to Apply for a Scholarship and see more information on how to apply.

Career Outlook

The Sociology Program teaches the transferable job skills that enable students to rationally analyze social issues and arrive at effective solutions. These skills are valuable for careers in health and social services; human resources; community planning; non-profit leadership; consumer marketing research and consulting; and jobs involving social research in corporate, non-profit, and government settings. Sociology also provides a solid foundation for graduate school in any of the social sciences, and for professional training in fields such as law, medicine, and social work.