Sociology, BA/BS

Major
On Campus, Day
Behavioral Sciences
Sociology classroom

In Short

Prepare for careers that explore the connection between personal experiences and public issues. With a degree in sociology, you’ll gain the skills needed to effect social change and to develop a career for your long-term success.

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What will I do?
  • Gain a detailed understanding of human relationships in society, including everything from everyday conversations to the most complex group interactions
  • Learn the ability to gather and analyze data, to help people better understand their world
  • Develop critical thinking skills necessary to create innovative solutions to difficult social problems

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Program Overview

In sociology we study topics such as race, gender, poverty, social inequality, culture, crime/deviance, social institutions, and globalization. When you take sociology courses you will study major theories of human behavior in order to gain a better understanding of how our social world is constructed. You will also master the research skills necessary to understand and address key social issues.

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Examples of Student Work

  • “Communications Technologies and Interpersonal Relationships” (Honors thesis)
  • Student Perceptions of the North of Main Neighborhood in Fitchburg, MA (Research project from SOC 3130)
  • “Pathways to Veganism: Obstacles of Perception Pertaining to Privilege” (Research proposal in SOC 3130) 
  • “How Have Black Women Experienced Their Treatment While Giving Birth in Central Massachusetts Hospitals” (Research proposal in SOC 3001)
  • “Teacher Burnout: How Can We Help?” (Research proposal in SOC 3001)
  • “The experience of African-American students at a small, predominantly white college or university” (Research proposal in SOC 3001)

As a sociology major at Fitchburg State, I was challenged to study and examine our world in new ways, using research and analysis to expose inequality and injustice. I learned about how human societies operated and how all people are affected by the consequences of racism, sexism, and classism. Sociology is a major that can make you well-prepared for a variety of careers.

Katie Comeau, '14

Experiential Opportunities

Internships

You have the opportunity to do an internship as part of your sociology major. Internship/Practicum options include direct/non-direct service, business and industry, and research. We place students at a wide variety of internship sites including city and state agencies (Department of Children and Families; the Fitchburg Mayor's Office), as well as with groups focusing on healthcare (Lowell Community Health Center; the Joint Coalition on Health), law (Massachusetts Law Reform Institute; UMASS Amherst Student Legal Services Office), disability (Arc of Opportunity; Cardinal Cushing Centers), mental and behavioral health (Devereux; YOU, Inc.), as well as many others.
Read more about: Internships

Study Abroad

Faculty-led study abroad course opportunities increase student life-transforming experiences, as do student/faculty cooperative research projects.
Read more about: Study Abroad

Curriculum and Other Information

 
  • Students will be able to understand key sociological concepts
  • Students will be able to communicate sociological concepts effectively through the use of writing and/or oral skills
  • Students will be able to think critically about social skills and social theories
  • Students will be able to apply sociology to social life
  • Students will develop appropriate skills for conducting sociological research
  • Private sector: Market research / advertising, Human resources, Public relations, Survey research, Research analyst
  • Government: Census, Drug and alcohol prevention, Probation/parole officer, Social worker, Youth and elderly services, Urban planning, International aid worker
  • Non-profit: Community / Union organizer, Non-profit agencies active around issues such as: Race, Poverty, Housing, Policing, Environment, LGBT issues, Immigration