Sociology

Degree: B.A.

Progress through a rigorous, scientific study of human interaction and social organization through the Sociology program at Millersville University.

Why Study This Program?

Sociology is the rigorous, scientific study of human interaction and social organization. The Millersville University Sociology program provides students with the ability to understand human behavior in the context of social, cultural, political and environmental influences. In addition to acquiring a wide knowledge base with which students can understand and navigate the social world, students learn valuable qualitative and quantitative research skills. 

Students who select Sociology as their major may choose to concentrate their study with a sub-specialty in criminology or other required related areas such as community sociology, social and political thought, data analysis and global issues. Students can also explore this field of study through a minor in Sociology and Criminology.

The Sociology program resides within the Sociology and Anthropology department at MU, and graduates earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Sociology. 

“After graduating from Millersville University, Benjamin Shoff joined the Department of Homeland Security. During his time at Millersville, Shoff completed an honors thesis on community crime prevention strategies and presented the research at the Eastern Sociological Society meeting in New York City. In addition, he worked at MU’s Center for Public Scholarship and Social Change.”

- Benjamin Shoff | 2015

What Will You Learn?

The Millersville University Sociology program enables students to develop a sociological imagination with which they can understand their place in and responsibility for the world around them.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology develop a specialized skill set that allows them to investigate and comprehend the social world, in addition to acquiring knowledge on various sociological topics such as families, social class, gender and race. This skill set includes theoretical understandings, statistical techniques, data analysis and research methods.

Students who select the Criminology option within the Sociology major also develop a specialized skill set with which they can investigate and comprehend the social world. This option encourages students to focus specifically on criminological topics, which include courts and policing, corrections and juvenile delinquency.

The Sociology and Criminology minor can be combined with any major area of study to give students an important sociological context to their chosen careers. These 18 credit minors offer enough flexibility to be tailored to the individual student’s interests.

Along with fostering academic growth inside the classroom, Sociology faculty members encourage student development outside the classroom through a variety of internship and volunteer opportunities. In doing so, students gain valuable work experience producing and analyzing sociological research within the local community by participating in community-based research projects and community surveys.