Sociology Program

Sociology is a social science focused on understanding the social world. Sociologists study a wide range of topics, including social inequality, race and ethnic relations, gender, sexuality, family, work and organizations, health, politics and the state, culture and comparative societies, religion, crime and deviance, and globalization. Sociology students learn theoretical and analytical skills that help them understand how society operates, how social structures and inequalities shape human behaviors and their consequences, and processes of social change. Through sociological training, students learn useful and marketable skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis, which are highly transferable across fields.

 What is sociology?

Listen to how sociologists explain what sociology is: Sociologists on Sociology

Career Options for Sociology Majors

With a sociology major, students can work in a variety of occupations. Many sociology students work in social services as social workers and counselors, in secondary schools as teachers, in administrative positions at private and non-profit companies as human resource specialists, and in business as market analysists. A bachelor’s degree in sociology will also provide a solid foundation for seeking a graduate degree in sociology or other fields, such as social work, psychology, law, public administration, education, business, and gender studies. The Department of Sociology at WMU also offers an accelerated Master of Arts in sociology for sociology majors.

Career Resources for Sociology Majors

• Resources from the American Sociological Association

• Information from the U.S. Labor Bureau

• WMU Career Advising

Alumni Testimonials

Requirements