Sociology

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. Sociology, as a discipline, provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and critiquing the old. Sociology also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to virtually any issue: street crime and delinquency, corporate downsizing, the alleviation of poverty and homelessness, welfare and/or education reform, and problems of peace and war.

Planning for College

The University of Scranton encourages a strong college preparatory program in high school with a minimum of four years of English, three years of mathematics, social science and science, and at least two years of a foreign language with additional units taken in acceptable academic areas.

Sociology at The University of Scranton

The focus on the sociology program at The University of Scranton is a liberal education with special emphasis on the development of the whole person, as well as to provide the academic preparation for advanced study in sociology, social work, human services/resources, industrial organizations, urban planning and related fields.

The undergraduate curriculum prepares students for a competitive advantage in today's information and global society. Fluency in a second language (Spanish, for example) is highly recommended for some positions in social work, human resources and marketing. Students who anticipate a career in business might also consider a minor in finance and/or accounting.

Internships, available to students in their junior and senior years, offer invaluable knowledge that can bring to life sociological concepts and theories that are studied in textbooks and in the classroom. Students can sample potential careers, build their resumes and learn new skills during a well-chosen internship experience.

Students are also encouraged to work with faculty members on research projects. Through these efforts, some students have submitted work for publication in national journals.

Recently, University of Scranton sociology majors have done internships at the following agencies and organizations:

• Women's Resource Center
• Family Court of Lackawanna County
• Scranton Counseling Center
• Chamber of Commerce of Greater Scranton
• Lackawanna County Bureau of Children and Youth Services
• Northeast Economic Development Council
• Mercy Hospital Social Service Department
• American Red Cross
• United Way of Lackawanna County
• Catholic Social Services of Lackawanna County

Outcomes

It is estimated that nearly one third of University of Scranton sociology graduates will pursue professional and/or graduate education in law, social work, school counseling, criminal justice, community counseling and rehabilitation counseling. Nearly 90 percent of the others will find employment within five months of graduation.

Finding Out More

For more information, please visit us at our website. You can also write to us at Department of Sociology/Criminal Justice, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4605. Our phone number is (570) 941-6170, or you can fax us at (570) 941-4201.