Bachelor of Science Sociology - Social Justice

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. It is an expanding field that addresses challenging issues such as family dynamics, inequality, patterns of behavior, and forces for social change and resistance. Sociologists' research can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life, from crime to corporate downsizing. Students may pursue a B.A. or a B.S. in Sociology. The B.A. requires a foreign language and an additional minor. The B.S. can be taken with a general focus (2 minors required) or it can be taken with one of three concentrations (1 minor required): Criminology, Social Justice, or Work and Family Studies. The social justice concentration focuses on understanding the impact of structured inequality based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability, exploring and critiquing social policy that reinforces and sustains inequality. Social activism and change are also addressed.

Career Path

Sociologists with an emphasis is social justice work in variety areas and industries, including government, education, corporations, non-profits, social service agencies, health care services, and the criminal justice system.  They engage in research, planning, advocacy, and policy development on such issues as affordable housing, domestic violence, child welfare, environmental justice, poverty, food insecurity, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and refugee support, voting rights, policing, and prisons.