A bachelor's degree in sociology at PSU will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand modern social problems. You will learn about the way people create and maintain social forces and its effect on them.
As a sociology major, you will learn critical thinking, problem solving, and how to collect and interpret data. You will hone your written and oral communication skills as you investigate social problems and solutions. You will have opportunities to work in teams and build your interpersonal skills.
We will explore topics such as:
- family
- education
- health
- gender
- sexuality
- race
- religion
- law
- crime
- poverty
- inequality
- immigration
- globalization
Our faculty and staff aim to create a place of inclusion and connection for our students. You will join a social justice-minded community, one that seeks to be a place of inclusion and connection.
PSU's sociology program prepares you to become a lifelong learner and well-informed global citizen. You will learn to challenge norms and come up with creative solutions to create meaningful change. Our graduates go on to careers in government, nonprofits, health services, education and research. They also use their major as preparation for graduate and professional degree programs. The sociology major can be a gateway to graduate and professional programs in sociology, social sciences, social work, management, and the law. We equip our graduates with skills to apply new ideas to unleash positive change.
Our program emphasizes the application of sociological theories and thinking to solve real-world problems.
That is why we offer you opportunities to gain valuable experience as an undergraduate both inside and outside the classroom. You'll engage through your coursework, internships, fieldwork, and research opportunities.
Our expert faculty conduct research and teach engaging courses on the following topics:
- medical sociology
- criminology
- education
- globalization
- minority studies
- research methods
- alcohol and other drugs
- marriage and intimacy
- prejudice, privilege, and power
- gender and sexuality
- sports in society
- law
- data analysis
- sociological theory
- environmental sociology
- mental illness
You will get opportunities to work alongside faculty as teaching or research assistants. These experiences will give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate school and jobs. You'll join our vibrant community and connect with your peers and faculty outside the classroom.
- Sociology Lecture Series: A monthly event where professors and visiting scholars present their current research.
- Sociology Club: Engage in conversations about current events, popular culture, and important societal issues.
Your success is our goal. You will graduate with the knowledge, skills, and experience to see the world through a sociological lens.
A bachelor's degree in sociology from Portland State can prepare you to succeed in graduate or professional school.
Your degree will prepare you for work in sociology, social sciences, social work, management, and law. Our graduates go on to work in a variety of fields, including:
- government
- nonprofits
- health services
- education
- research
- public service
- communications
Sociology graduates work as peer support advocates, case managers, program coordinators, resource specialists, and management analysts in nonprofits and with local, state, and federal agencies.