Sociology

Our department is a vibrant community featuring leading scholars within sociology and related fields. Faculty have expertise in a range of theories and methods, from ethnography to social network analysis, underscoring our commitment to training our students in the many tools within the sociological toolkit. Program strengths include the sociology of environment, gender, race, political and economic sociology, with increased focus on sociology of health and cultural sociology.

Read about the Indigenous history of our local land.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Sociology

A major in sociology prepares students for careers in the environment and society, the criminal justice system, demographics, human services, business, education, social science research, community relations, and federal, state, and local government agencies, just to name a few.

The American Sociological Association lists in their brochure “21st Century Careers with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology” the following categories for sociology graduates’ first jobs:  

  • Social services, counselors
  • Sales/marketing
  • Administrative support
  • Teaching and education
  • Service occupations
  • Information technology
  • Public relations
  • Social science research
  • Management
Photo of David Martin

How the Department of Sociology Launches Your Career

“The years I spent in the University of Oregon were among the most transformative and fulfilling of my entire life, in large part due to the outstanding support and guidance I received from my former faculty and graduate student colleagues. Since graduation, I’ve held both tenure-track faculty and director level administrative positions, and I am currently professor and head of sociology at Lake Michigan College—a role in which I have a direct and positive impact on my community through my teaching and scholarship. I was lucky to find my purpose in life early; all I ever aspired to be is a professor. After the years of hard work, particularly as a Black and Arabic, and first-generation college graduate and professional, I am now living a dream that truly started when I first stepped foot onto the University of Oregon campus. The training I received in the UO Sociology program, and the people I was fortunate to meet there, were instrumental in helping me to make that dream come true. Go Ducks!”

—David Martin, PhD in Sociology, '17

Our Degree Programs

The undergraduate program in sociology provides a broad understanding of human society for students in all fields as well as more advanced programs for sociology majors. It is a popular choice for students in other fields who wish to double major or minor in an area of study that will enhance their understanding of society and the behavior of people.

The department offers graduate work leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and is intended for students seeking a professional career in research and teaching in both academic and nonacademic settings. The department does not offer a terminal master’s degree, although students enrolled in the PhD program will also receive a master’s degree as part of their training.

Undergraduate Degrees
 
Graduate Degrees
 

 

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Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty includes specialists in the areas of criminology, demography, education, environment, organizations, race and ethnicity, stratification, and work & occupations.

The sociology faculty is affiliated with many university programs:

  • Center for the Study of Women and Society
  • Center on Diversity and Community
  • College of Education
  • Environmental Studies Program
  • Department of Public Policy, Planning and Management
  • Indigenous, Race and Ethnic Studies Department
  • Global Studies Department
  • Oregon Survey Research Laboratory
  • Department of Religious Studies
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department
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Get Real-world Experience

In our department, motivated students can seek internships in the community, join honors societies, and conduct independent study or work with a faculty member on research. Our Peer Leadership Program lets undergraduate students practice communication skills and get involved in programs and initiatives to benefit all students.

Scholarships & Funding

The department offers several internal awards available for both graduate and undergraduate students. Undergraduates can apply for the annual Diana May Woodruff Award as well as several college- and university-wide scholarships. Graduate students are eligible for several prestigious awards in addition to funding through graduate employee positions and term-by-term research assistantships.

Undergraduate Scholarships 
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Sociology majors can find drop-in help related to degree progress and course planning from the undergraduate team in our Academic Program Offices. At Tykeson Hall, you can work with college and career advisors, who can help you explore your interests, schedule your classes, plan for graduation, discuss career interests, and more.

Undergraduate Advising 
Support for Graduate Students

Sociology News and Events

SOCIOLOGY - It’s one thing to rebuild homes after a wildfire. Rebuilding communities is a different matter, discovered sociology graduate student Haisu Huang. Graduate student Haisu Huang spent three years interviewing survivors, establishing relationships with them and conducting check-ins to create holistic snapshots of their experiences of evacuations, recovery and rebuilding home. Those she interviewed ranged from people who lived in houses to those who lived in mobile RV homes.
SOCIOLOGY - The College of Arts and Sciences is investing in its Latinx studies courses by hiring nine new tenure-track faculty members. Meet Isabel García Valdivia, who is researching how immigrants’ experiences change across their life course how does legal status impact families.
SOCIOLOGY - The College of Arts and Sciences is investing in its Latinx studies courses by hiring nine new tenure-track faculty members. Byron Villacis Cruz joins CAS after working as an assistant professor at Bowdoin College, a private liberal arts college in Maine. Before becoming a professor, Villacis worked alongside prominent social scientists and politicians in Ecuador but returned to academia after several years of working there.

All news »


Department of History Coffee Hour
Oct15
Department of History Coffee Hour Oct 15 McKenzie Hall
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together
Oct15
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together Oct 15 Susan Campbell Hall
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars
Oct15
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars Oct 15 William W. Knight Law Center
How to Be Ready for the Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE)
Oct15
How to Be Ready for the Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE) Oct 15
Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM (CMAE/Zoom)
Oct15
Let's Talk - Tuesdays 3-5PM (CMAE/Zoom) Oct 15 CMAE
The BIG 10+ Academia Career Fair
Oct16
The BIG 10+ Academia Career Fair Oct 16
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches)
Oct16
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches) Oct 16 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Get Ready for the Big One! What You Need to Know About Earthquake Preparedness
Oct16
Get Ready for the Big One! What You Need to Know About Earthquake Preparedness Oct 16 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom)
Oct16
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom) Oct 16 Peterson Hall
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom)
Oct16
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom) Oct 16 Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center

All events »