Sociology

About the Major

Human beings are social animals. As a student of sociology, you will study what influences what people think, say, and do and how they are influenced by others. In sociology, you will study the patterns of interaction between people in all sorts of settings: at work, at play, at home, and more. You will learn systematic ways to examine how humans interact with their surroundings by studying families, criminals, and other sub-populations while learning about social problems such as crime, poverty, racial inequality, and political change. The sociology major offers a wide variety of exciting courses so that students can tailor their coursework to fit their educational and career goals.

Skills and abilities this major develops include: problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and research (IU School of Liberal Arts, 2018).

Engaged Learning Experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Service Learning

We believe strongly in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. If you want to make a difference, too, you have a home here.

Career Services

The Office of Career Development prepares, supports, and advises students each step of their career path--like finding internships and building your resume. They serve undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni and recent graduates.

Study Abroad

Choose among programs in 50+ countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are available

Opportunities After Graduation

Graduates who majored in sociology will have a variety of opportunities upon graduation, including public relations, nonprofit work, business development, and more. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2018), social work is anticipated to grow 16% through 2026, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors will grow 23%, and survey researchers have an anticipated growth of 2% through 2026.

The average starting salary for IU School of Liberal Arts graduates from IUPUI was $38,937, and the median salary was $36,350, for the May 2019 graduating cohort. The nationwide median starting salary for liberal arts graduates was $50,000 for the class of May 2019, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE, 2020).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Sociology majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas: sociology, anthropology, social work, education, higher education, business, and religious studies.

Major Possibilities

Sample Coursework

Introduction to sociology statistics
Social psychology
Families and society
Sociology of work
Juvenile delinquency and society
Women and health
Sociology of death and dying

Possible Careers

Attorney*
Community development
Communications specialist
Human resources
Lobbyist
Marketing
Nonprofit program coordinator
Professor*

*These careers require further education and training.

Where could I work?

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
August Mack
Keter Environmental
Government agencies
Profit and nonprofit businesses

Complementing Interests

SSocial

AArtistic

EEnterprising

Get your interest code

Where to Get More Information

IU School of Liberal Arts

Sociology Department, Cavanaugh Hall 303

American Sociological Association

Society for the Study of Social Problems

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

Learn about other clusters

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