A woman sitting on the floor in the library, reading a book

Sociology at BU

Sociology offers a powerful lens for understanding the world—from the role that consciousness raising and legal reform play in advancing racial justice to improving the financial security of vulnerable populations.

Sociology majors and minors learn: critical analytic skills; broad knowledge of social relations, social systems, and processes; and substantive expert knowledge in a variety of sociological sub-fields, from the sociology of gender and sexualities to medical and urban sociology; from global and transnational social relations to gender inequality and organizational forms; from law and social processes to racial identities and dynamics in a variety of realms of social life. Sociology graduates work in fields including medicine, law, market research, business, journalism, social work, criminal justice, policy analysis, nonprofit organizations, and much more.

Sociology also provides excellent preparation for graduate study.  For example, pre-law students may wish to take courses in the sociology of law, criminology and criminal justice, or the sociology of deviance and social control. Pre-med students take our courses in health care, global health, health disparities, medical markets, death & dying, and more. Students pursuing careers in business may wish to take courses in the sociology of work, formal organizations, or the sociology of technology.  Students interested in pursuing graduate study in the social sciences may wish to deepen their experience in the field by doing an independent honors research project, or working with Department faculty on a research project through BU’s UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program).

The American Sociological Association’s (ASA) publication “What are they Doing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?” describes the varied and exciting paths sociology majors and minors are taking. ASA is the major scholarly association for professional sociologists in the U.S., and students are welcome to join (ASA).

The Department is also proud to support the Boston University Undergraduate Sociology Association (BUUSA). Students majoring and minoring in sociology are encouraged to join this independent organization, which provides services and programs for students including panel discussions, film showings, service projects, and social events.