Department of Sociology and Social Work

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of social life, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology's subject matter ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from the rural to the urban lifestyle, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from the study of work to the study of sport, and from community theory and development to the study of multiculturalism. In fact, few fields of study have such a broad scope and wide relevance for research, theory, and application of knowledge as sociology, and few majors offer their students a more diverse range of career opportunities. So, if you are interested in exploring the relationships among groups and between groups and individuals, and wish to prepare for an exciting professional career – then welcome to the sociology program at Fort Hays State University!

Please click here for a list our courses: sociology courses and here for a document outlining our program: BA degree program.

A bachelor's degree in sociology provides a person with an excellent liberal arts foundation for embarking upon a wide range of career paths. Sociology majors who enter the research and planning world work in federal, state, and local governments; philanthropic foundations; neighborhood organizations; economic and community development organizations; and research institutions. Those who enter human services work with youths at risk, elderly persons, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, substance abuse, or the justice system. Sociology majors that enter the business world work in sales, marketing, customer relations, and human resources. Sociology is also an excellent major for students who wish to do graduate study in sociology, law, journalism, business, education, counseling, medicine, politics, public administration, social work, or criminology. In addition, the solid foundation sociology majors receive in research design, data analysis, and sociological concepts gives them a competitive edge in today's information society. A person can "apply sociology" in any work environment -- the sociological perspective gives a person a unique way of looking at how society works and at the intricate relationships between individuals and society.

The sociology program at Fort Hays State offers a number of certificate programs, allowing students to focus their studies in particular area. For example, the "applied sociology" certificate orients students toward the many ways in which their knowledge may be used to address real world problems. Another option is the "grant proposal writing and program evaluaion" certificate, which is an excellent avenue for gaining the skills necessary for grant writing and programs evaluation.

While majoring in sociology can prove a valuable tool for career opportunities in a spectrum of job markets, it also constitutes a career in itself. After completing graduate degrees in sociology, sociologists teach and conduct research in both academic and applied settings. The Sociology Department at Fort Hays State University has strong connections to excellent graduate programs in sociology around the country. For those majors who wish to pursue graduate programs in sociology, our faculty actively assist majors in locating the graduate program that best suites their needs and interests. To learn more about sociology as a major for you, contact any of our faculty members, or visit these websites.

Our department's faculty members believe it is important to help students in their search for a career or a graduate school according to their desires. Sociology faculty are always eager to use their connections to find potential job opportunities for our program's graduates. In addition, the Career Resources Center at Fort Hays State University stands willing and able to help sociology majors locate jobs upon graduation.