Sociology
Why Choose Nazareth for Sociology?
What is the relationship of self to society? Who determines societal norms? What factors create cultural identity? Does human suffering have a purpose? Questions of sociology are as diverse as people and societies themselves.
The sociology degree program at Nazareth University is the study of human life, group behavior, and social systems. Marriage and family, racial, cultural, and gender issues, criminal justice, and media and popular culture are just part of the terrain we cover.
Service-learning projects and internships complement classroom learning. Field experiences include opportunities on Native American reservations, in the criminal justice system, and in soup kitchens. Or you could mentor disadvantaged children or volunteer for the United Way.
The sociology major also encourages self-reflection — helping you gain insight into the human condition and your own behavior in social situations. Graduates often say that the program has helped them be more open-minded, objective, and understanding of social and cultural differences.
Program Highlights
- Have the opportunity to carry out an independent research project and present your work at Nazareth's all-day showcase of student research, scholarship, and creative activity.
- Attend talks by sociologists from around the country on current social issues and problems.
- Qualified juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for the endowed Urlaub Internship.
- Many students combine sociology with the elementary education program and become teachers.
- Sociology majors go on to attend graduate school or work in fields such as counseling, human resources, communications, human services, and international relations.
- You'll benefit from small classes and individual attention from faculty.
Program Details
Options, Requirements, and Course Descriptions
Alumni Spotlight
Chris Hilderbrant '99
Understanding groups of people and systemic causes of inequities and discrimination have informed his agency leadership roles — including as executive director of Rochester Spinal Association. His sociology major also shaped his previous work as chief operating officer at Finger Lakes Health System Agency, whose work includes addressing disparities in health care by race and ethnicity, and director of advocacy at the Center for Disability Rights.
Edgy protests and weeklong sidewalk campouts in front of political offices “were pretty reminiscent of everything (Nazareth Professor) Harry Murray ever said.” Hilderbrant was named to Rochester Business Journal's Forty under 40 list of young leaders in 2015.
100%
100% of the sociology and anthropology majors in a recent class indicated they were employed or attending graduate school (including New York University and Nazareth) within six months of graduating, based on a strong knowledge rate of 92% reporting.
Example Careers/Outcomes
- Community organizations
- Counseling
- Human services
- Market research
- Labor relations
- Public relations
- Criminal justice
- Education
Internships/Field Experiences
- Nelson Mandela International School, Berlin, Germany
- Empire Justice CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, Hope) Program
- The Compliance Search Group, NYC
- Monroe County Office of Probation
- Rochester Razorsharks
Graduate Schools/Employers
- Rochester General Health System
- University of Rochester
- First Niagara Risk Management
- Baltimore County Public Schools