Sociology, B.A.

The Undergraduate Program in Sociology is planned primarily as a part of a liberal arts education. The objective is to provide the student with an analytic and systematic approach to the understanding of social relations. Majors in this program gain an understanding of how social structures and processes shape social life. Coursework explores social problems, culture, interaction, inequality, social institutions, and diversity. Students graduate with a foundation for a variety of occupations and for advanced study.

PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

• Sociology ranks among the top ten most popular majors at UNCG.
• Faculty is comprised of leading experts in areas such as global studies, race, gender, intersectionality, social theory, feminist criminology, African American/Black criminology, peacemaking criminology, and crimes of the powerful.
• UNCG’s sociology faculty received a #1 ranking in books published among institutional peers, according to Academic Analytics.
• UNCG’s Center for Housing and Community Studies is a research hub that provides data, analysis, planning, and evaluation to aid non-profit and governmental agencies to provide fair, affordable, and healthy housing, and build safe and sustainable communities.

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

• Students gain expertise comprehending social structure and social change while being taught and mentored by faculty widely recognized for their teaching and research.
• Majors can be customized to fit students’ career interests or a specialized concentration in Criminology may be pursued.
• Data analysis and research methods are core components of the coursework.
• Study abroad opportunities are available with courses taught internationally in places such as Cameroon, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Taiwan, and Russia.
• Participation in academic clubs and organizations including Alpha Kappa Delta (an international sociology honor society) and the Sociology Club.
• Opportunities with the UNCG Center for Housing and Community Studies, a research, evaluation, and technical assistance center.
• Internships in a variety of public and private organizations including the Center for Creative Leadership, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Greensboro Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, and Family Services of the Piedmont.

AFTER GRADUATION

• Completion of the program presents opportunities for graduates to work in public sector positions with health, social service, criminal justice and corrections agencies, and private sector positions in human resources, research, public relations, and more.
• Graduates from the program work in law enforcement in Fairfax County, local federal probation, and the Guilford County Public Defender’s Office; for nonprofit organizations including Triangle Family Services; and in corporate America, including JPMorgan Chase.
• Others have earned advanced degrees from Northwestern University, Purdue, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, and N.C. State while some graduates have attended law school at City University of New York, Elon, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Wake Forest.

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