College of Letters and Sciences

SOCIOLOGY

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

In an increasingly diverse and global society, understanding human behavior — and how we interact with each other and the world around us — is a valuable asset in nearly any career path.

Studying sociology builds writing, research, communication and critical thinking skills, and it also develops cultural competency, emotional intelligence and a keen awareness of challenges facing society today.

The research, statistics, and quantitative and qualitative analysis skills you gain in a sociology program are valuable in many career paths, including the rapidly growing data science field. These skills are also solid preparation for graduate study in any social science field.

4-year plan

CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?

Jobs. Jobs. Jobs.

100% of recent graduating sociology students at UW-Whitewater were employed or pursuing an advanced degree after graduation. (2020-21 research survey)

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that demand for sociologists, market research analysts and statisticians will grow faster than the average occupation through 2028.

Why major in Sociology at UW-Whitewater?

As a sociology major at UW-Whitewater, you have the option to choose a concentration area. The global comparative studies emphasis explores and compares social systems and processes between cultures and across borders. Our robust sociology honors track prepares you for the rigors of graduate school with advanced theory and research- and writing-intensive courses.

You can further your knowledge and career opportunities by adding on a minor, either from our department or another discipline.

Other highlights of studying within UW-Whitewater’s Department of Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology include:

Annual student awards banquets
Career nights featuring alumni guest speakers
Honor society induction ceremonies
Service-learning opportunities
Scholarships and research grants
Chance to attend regional and national sociology conferences
Courses taught by faculty members, not graduate assistants

What our Sociology students do

Participate in undergraduate research

Gain real-world experience in professional settings during internships

Explore other cultures and societies through travel study

Hands-on learning experiences

Three students laugh together, waving a purple Warhawk flag.

As you pursue your degree in sociology at UW-Whitewater, you will gain hands-on experience in many ways:

Internships
Our sociology majors intern with marketing firms, human resources departments, public health agencies, social services and other types of organizations.

Undergraduate Research
As a major in sociology, you can hone your writing, research and analytical skills through our nationally respected Undergraduate Research Program. Our students pursue original research ( or serve as assistants for faculty projects) on topics such as:

Victorian homosexual activism
Japanese cultural marriage lags during booms and busts
Alternative/sustainable lifestyle communities
Racial inequalities in education
School bullying

Cross-cultural experiences

Four students are seated in the front of a room speaking into a microphone.

Experiencing another culture is an excellent way to further your understanding of human behavior. Among the programs offered by UW-Whitewater’s Global Experiences office, you’ll find many that will appeal to sociology majors and minors.

Travel study
Take a semester-long course that culminates in a faculty-led international trip with your classmates. Courses and locations vary by semester, but our students have traveled to Scotland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Northern Ireland and England.

Study and intern abroad
Spend a year, semester or summer abroad learning about humans and society in destinations such as Quito, Ecuador; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gold Coast, Australia; Prague, Czech Republic; Jyvaskyla, Finland; Berlin, Germany; Bangalore, India; Dublin, Ireland; and Rome, Italy.

Learn more about study abroad and global experiences »

Campus and community involvement

Our department is home to student organizations and honor societies such as:

Student Anthropology and Archaeology Society
UWW Empower!
Alpha Kappa Delta (sociology honor society)

What our graduates do

Teachers and professors

Human resources and marketing professionals

Icon of a piece of paper with a magnifying glass.

Researchers and analysts

Sociology jobs: What can you do with a Sociology degree?

Jobs in sociology — and positions that take advantage of the transferable skills learned in a sociology bachelor's degree program — can be found in a range of industries, such as:

Consumer research/data science
Health and human services
Higher education administration/admissions
Human resources/training
Law enforcement, corrections and probation/parole
Marketing/public relations
Publishing/journalism/media
Real estate
Teaching social studies and related subjects in secondary school

A few job titles and locations of our alumni include:

Brand relationship manager, Number Project
Case manager/transition specialist, Community Connections, Inc.
Community school coordinator, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Coordinator, Asian American & Pacific Islander Student Involvement and Advocacy, University of Maryland
Human resources director, D&H Distribution
Marketing specialist, Peoplelink Group
Motivational interviewing coach, Wisconsin Community Services
Premier lending specialist, Wells Fargo
Public relations officer, Ho-Chunk Nation
Residence life and education coordinator, University of Central Florida
Safety and compliance specialist, The QTI Group
Senior talent acquisition specialist, Precision for Value
Talent development partner/vice president, EDGE Business Management Consulting
Technical recruiter, TEKsystems
Vice president/broker/recruiter, New Home Sales division of JWilliams Staffing

Hired Before Graduation

Nyjeria West, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, earned a B.A. in sociology and was accepted to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater pursuing a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Leadership in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Leading Wisconsin forward

Collin Price, who earned a B.A. in sociology, was named one of Wisconsin’s 32 Most Influential Native American Leaders by Madison 365. Price is owner of Heeną Development, a Milwaukee-based real estate development firm focused on multifamily and hospitality spaces, and B Team Strategy, a consulting firm that helps connect Indigenous tribes with corporate partners.

Graduate and professional school

Many UW-Whitewater sociology majors pursue graduate degrees in sociology and related social science disciplines at schools such as:

UW-Whitewater
Ball State University
Cardinal Stritch University
Concordia University-Wisconsin
George Mason University
Loyola University Chicago
Marquette University
Northern Illinois University
Oregon State University
San Diego State University
Syracuse University
Tulane University
University of Michigan Kalamazoo
University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School
UW-Madison
UW-Milwaukee

Our faculty

Sociology faculty members are engaged in research, publication and service in their areas of expertise. You’ll find a broad range of teaching and research interests, including: