Sociology

Sociology Degree Program

As a Sociology major, apply for the Marion Loftin Scholarship.

"Our Mission and philosophy incorporate and elaborate upon the fundamental underpinnings of the traditional liberal arts academic pursuits. We strive to discover and develop a whole range of qualities in our students and graduates rather than direct their educational experiences towards merely the development of narrow skills or particular ideologies. Chief among these qualities are critical thinking skills, adaptability, and creativity. All of these will constantly enrich their learning of substantial areas and theoretical orientations in sociology, and may go on to pervade their lives. In addition, we value and encourage a true love of learning, service to mankind, and a respect towards the ideals of humanistic concerns enriched by a stance of objectivity.

One of our primary goals is to prepare our graduates for the rapidly changing, complex social world they will enter following their college experience by proactively supporting their engagement with a global perspective. We seek to expose the dedicated learner to new technologies and varying cultures in addition to the full range of the sociological discipline itself. Success in our program enables our graduates to engender change and civility throughout their future career paths, and to do so confident in their preparation and cognizant of their goals. Whether our graduates choose paths that lead them to further their achievements in the academic world or elsewhere, our attention to their unique individuality throughout their time with us will prove their value to us as well as to our commitment to them."

Sociology is, basically, the scientific study of how groups work. Sociologists have as their focus of attention the forms, functions (and dysfunctions) of human groups, including institutions like the family or religion. Further, sociologists are interested in such things as collective behavior (riots, fads, fashion, panics, social movements), the relationship among various cultures (ethnic relations, immigrant groups), and how various communities work and survive (e.g., cities, villages, and even communes).

In today's world, the educated person must be more and more aware of the global nature of the world and, importantly, how to function well in that global arena. Sociology trains undergraduates to enter the global society and prepares them to be adaptable and creative in the rapidly changing world. Indeed, the sociology program at NSU includes the option for an applied concentration. This concentration includes a senior practicum, placing students in agencies, businesses, etc. during their senior year to demonstrate the application of sociological knowledge.

NSU's Sociology majors gain a strong liberal arts educational background, opening the doors for employment in research, teaching, and planning and management positions. Employment areas available for people with a B.A. in Sociology include but are not limited to the following: management, criminal justice, marketing, public relations, fund raising, social services, and teaching. An undergraduate degree prepares a student for the following areas (again, not limited to these listed): family counseling, sociotherapy, and epidemiology. A B.A. degree in Sociology from Northwestern prepares a student for further training at the graduate level.