Sociology

  • BA
  • Major
  • Minor
  • Teacher Certification
In a classroom with 11 students, a student in a red dress speaks while others listen or interact with their neighbors.

Do you find our society – the relations among people, institutions and objects across the world and across time – intriguing? If you want a career that lets you make a difference, ask big questions, and tackle pressing challenges, Sociology could be your perfect fit!

Sociology is the study of social relationships, environments, institutions and change. In the program, you’ll explore issues like power and inequality, gender, education, racial and environmental justice, human rights, democracy, social media and emerging technologies like AI. You will examine society, yourself and how to connect the two.

As a Sociology major, you will receive rigorous training in social theory and hands-on, transferable research skills. You will learn how to design surveys, conduct interviews and ethnographies, lead focus groups, and analyze data with statistics, computational methods, and software including R, SPSS, and Qualtrics.

A Sociology degree opens doors to careers in social work, human services, market research, education, public policy, social welfare, law, government, and the nonprofit sector. And if you’re thinking about graduate school, you can earn a master’s in Social Research and Data Analysis in just one additional year.

Study society. Build your skills. Shape the future.

See the curriculum.

Career Opportunities

Sociologist/Social scientist
Social worker
Lawyer (immigration, family)
Survey researcher
Careers in non-profit organizations
Human resources manager or specialist

Consumer researcher
School and career counselor
Middle or high school social science teacher
Interviewer
Public relations specialist
Market research analyst

Social and human service assistant
Community service manager
Management analyst
School principal
Government officer

Complement Your Degree

The Minor in Sociology is an 18-credit program available to undergraduate students from any discipline. It is an excellent supplement to majors such as Social Work, Psychology, Justice Studies, and Family Science and Human Development. And, for students in fields such as business, mathematics and environmental science, it will equip them with an understanding of society and social change vital for STEM-related careers in the data-driven future.

The highly customizable minor combines an introductory sociology course with your choice of lower- and upper-level electives such as Environmental Sociology, Sociology of Health and Illness, Social Problems, and Sociology of Work and Professions. You can also take methods courses including statistics, interviews and focus groups, and digital methods in sociology. The theoretical expertise and transferable skills you gain from the minor will be valuable assets in virtually any career path you choose!

Become Certified to Teach!

You can earn a BA in Sociology and be certified to teach in New Jersey elementary or secondary schools.

BA in Sociology with Teacher Certification in Elementary School Teacher in Grades K – 6

Students who wish to pursue K-6 teacher certification in Elementary Education must apply and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Once admitted, students will be matriculated into the BA in Elementary Education program as a second major.

120 credits of coursework is required for the baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA. Major GPA requirements differ depending on field of study.

Please visit the Teacher Education Program website for the required professional sequence of courses and other important program requirements, guidelines and procedures. Students are also strongly advised to review the Teacher Education Program Handbook for additional information.

BA in Sociology with Teacher Certification in Social Studies (Preschool – Grade 12) 

Students who wish to pursue P-12 teacher certification in Social Studies must apply and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Once admitted, students will be matriculated into the BA in Secondary Education program as a second major. The social studies teacher is expected to have a broad understanding of the social, cultural and environmental factors which shape the individual and society. To meet the approved program for certification in social studies, coursework is required in each of the following:

  • Anthropology, Psychology or Sociology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Political Science

Because Praxis exams in this area are heavily weighted toward history, we strongly advise students to include History as a primary component of their studies (ideally aa a second major). The course SASE 401 is a departmental requirement. 

Please visit the Teacher Education Program website for the required professional sequence of courses and other important Program requirements, guidelines and procedures. Students are also strongly advised to review the Teacher Education Program Handbook for additional information.

Student wearing cap and gown, seated at graduation ceremony.

Combined Programs

A Combined Degree program enables undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses in their senior year, which can be counted toward the completion of both their bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements. The ability to take these “swing courses” will allow you to earn both degrees in an accelerated time period, typically within five years. Some combined programs also include teacher certification.

The Sociology program offers the following combined programs:

  • Combined BA in Sociology/MA in Social Research and Data Analysis
  • Combined BA in Sociology/MBA in Business Administration
  • Combined BA in Sociology/MAT with Teacher Certification in Grades K – 6 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities
     

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Undergraduate Admissions Office

Whether you’re looking to begin an application, have questions about transferring to Montclair or trying to check your application status, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is pleased to help you in any way we can.

Department of Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies

The Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies Department examines the forces that shape society, human behavior, social institutions, crime, law and systems of justice.