Sociology students study abroad in Hungary

Sociology (B.A.)

Sociology is a diverse social science that brings both qualitative and quantitative/scientific methods to bear on understanding human and group or institutional behavior. The focus is on understanding the impact of social, cultural or interactional contexts on behavior (i.e., it's an "environmental" science that looks at how contextual factors guide or structure the choices people and groups make).

Degrees & Offerings

B.A.

Department

Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice

College

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities

Program Contact

Christopher Podeschi, Ph.D.

Chair of the Department of Sociology and Social Work, and Criminal Justice, Associate Professor of Sociology

Gwen Stancavage

Secretary for the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice

Where will your climb take you?

Your first step starts here!

Our sociology program offers you the opportunity to look at various substantive areas in the discipline, as well as ample opportunity to explore personal interests and achieve academic success. Faculty specialization and teaching interests include:

economic stratification
race and ethnicity
crime and deviance
family dynamics
the workplace
sports
community and population
mass media
environmental issues

Example coursework includes sociological theory, marriage and family sociology, sociology of race and ethnicity, urban and community sociology, medical sociology, sociology of gender, social stratification, and social deviance.

Courses and Curriculum

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Sociological Theory
Marriage and Family Sociology
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
Urban and Community Sociology
Medical Sociology
Sociology of Gender
Social Stratification
Social Deviance

Bloomsburg Initial - B - inside a keystone shape

Beyond Bloomsburg

Research

Sociology majors are strongly encouraged to find an opportunity for experiential learning outside the classroom. Majors should consider doing independent research or taking our upper level research courses and then presenting their work in an on-campus forum or at a conference. The faculty are also involved individually in research and welcome the opportunity to involve motivated and diligent students in their work.

The sociology program has close ties with the Center for Community Research and Consulting, which provides numerous opportunities every year for undergraduates to get involved in diverse applied sociological research projects.

Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) awards provides summer stipend support to students participating in summer research, scholarship, or creative activities. Students can receive a maximum stipend of up to $6,000 for a full-time project during the 12 weeks of summer session.

Internships

Sociology majors, particularly those less interested in research, are encouraged to consider internships during their junior or senior year, especially for students that are not planning on pursuing graduate study in sociology. Interns get placement in a wide variety of settings based on future career interests.

Possible sociology internship areas

criminal justice
social services
non-profit
public school settings

In consultation with the faculty internship supervisor and the supervisor at the internship site, we aim to make sure the student has a rewarding and enriching experience and one in which the tools of the sociological perspective are employed.

Professional Engagement

Bloomsburg sociology graduates land a variety of jobs: Clinical Research Coordinator - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia • Director of Human Services - Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network • Director - Carbon County Housing Authority • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - PA Vocational Rehab. Services • Graduate Admissions Officer - Cabrini University • Human Capital Management Consultant – ADP • Human Resources Associate - OPTiMO Information Technology

Graduate Studies

Bloomsburg sociology majors get into strong graduate programs: Bloomsburg University, College Student Affairs • Columbia University, Public Health • Pennsylvania State University, Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling • West Chester University, Industrial/Organizational Psychology • SUNY Albany, Epidemiology • Temple University, Public Health • University of Delaware, Sociology • University of Kansas, Sociology

The Husky Difference

Job Potential

Sociology majors have a lot of great career options after graduation! Sociology is a broad field with numerous applicable career paths.

College of Distinction

Bloomsburg has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction, honored for its quality and high-impact practices leading to a personalized education catered to students’ interests.

Expected Job Growth

In the next 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median salary potential of $62,290.

Careers

Career options for students obtaining a bachelor’s degree in sociology are diverse. It's the basis for pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree in sociology, leading to careers in academia, research or applied sociology. Sociology graduates also find themselves in entry level corporate, non-profit organization and government agency jobs.

Potential Job Opportunities

Public Health
Non-Profit Agencies
Municipal Government
Higher Education Administration
Counseling
Human Resources
Law Enforcement
Corrections
Marketing
Social Science Research
Social Work

Jobs after bachelor’s degree

Public health researcher with a non-profit organization, director of operations at a microbrewery, administrative accountant with an investment firm, director of a university outdoor recreation office, career coach with a youth development non-profit, human resources associate with a technology company, federal policy and advocacy specialist for a women’s health non-profit, caseworker with the PA Department of Human Services, management consultant with a human resources services company

Jobs after master’s or doctoral degree

Clinical research coordinator with a major children’s hospital, director of human services with an urban anti-drug and anti-violence non-profit, vocational rehabilitation counselor with the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, university graduate admissions officer, senior research associate at a major public policy non-profit, research associate with a university criminology research center, senior human resources manager for a pharmaceutical corporation, case manager - student crisis support at a major university, home and outpatient youth counseling

Grad school placements

Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – The College of New Jersey, Master’s in Public Health - Temple University, Master’s in Public Health – Columbia University, Master’s in Education – Bucknell University, Master’s in Sociology – Portland State University, Master’s in Epidemiology – University at Albany, Doctorate in Sociology – University of Maryland, Master’s in Sociology – University of Kansas, Master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling – Penn State University, Master’s in College Student Affairs – Bloomsburg University, Master’s in Higher Education Administration – Kent State University, Master’s in Sociology – Lehigh University, Master’s in Instructional Technology – Bloomsburg University, Master’s in Business Administration – Bloomsburg University, Doctorate in Rural Sociology – Penn State University, Master’s in English Rhetoric – University of South Carolina, Doctorate in Sociology – University of Delaware

Bloomsburg Because

What I like the most about being a sociology major is getting to learn the perspective of others through the lives they live and being able to apply what I learn in my sociology classes to my other major.

Kaitlyn Currid '21

Criminal Justice and Sociology

Some of my friends who've graduated from other schools weren’t able to use their major hands-on while in school that when they graduated they were shocked. I was able to go to Boston, and present my own research, I've been able to write many articles on topics that interest me, and I've been able to take courses in a hands-on and interactive curriculum.

Sheira Sosa '19

Sociology with Criminal Justice Minor

My favorite thing about being a sociology major is how you have unlimited options in your future career. Since I'm a double major, I love that sociology has broadened my perspectives in the criminal justice system.

Sneha Patel '21