Sociologists ask lots of these "why" questions and "how" questions and "what" questions. Sociologists study the big picture, focusing on the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. They study trends and seek to improve people's lives based upon those trends. The society in which you live plays a significant role in your education, your relationships, your career, your economic status and much more. The world awaits all who have a major in sociology.
Sociology encompasses a wide range of topics including family dynamics, social deviance and crime, government policies, social and demographic trends, and the impact of contemporary issues on businesses, corporations, schools and other public and private institutions. The mission of the Department of Sociology & Rural Studies is to provide students with the theoretical and substantive knowledge to participate as skilled professionals within the institutions and organizations that shape our increasingly diverse and global society. Students receive a broad liberal arts education that will qualify them for many different kinds of occupations, working in business, government, and the nonprofit sectors. Sociology majors manage programs and people, provide services in a variety of settings, analyze and collect data, and pursue careers in law enforcement and victim services. The major offers flexibility and can easily be added to another major.