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Liberal Arts Advisement & Careers

Sociology

Engaging in the Major

As a sociology major, you’re deepening your understanding of the social world and building strong analytical skills through coursework in theory, methods, and topical areas, along with opportunities to engage in research, connect with faculty mentors, and participate in internships that link your studies to real-world experience. The skills you gain prepare you for graduate study and careers in community services, social work, health care, law, education, public policy, public health, organizational management, marketing, human resources, journalism, and more, and we encourage you to explore these paths and use available resources to support your academic and professional goals.

A BS in sociology is an excellent choice for students aspiring to attend graduate school and is a strong foundation for a wide range of careers, including nonprofit community services, social work, health care and nursing, law and law enforcement, education, public policy, public health, organizational management and entrepreneurialism, experiential design, marketing, human resources, and journalism.

Resources for Engaging
Competencies and Careers
Course Progression
Funding & Internships
Campus Resources

Competencies and Careers

Competencies Developed in the Program

Students in the Sociology programs can expect to develop strong Critical Thinking, Communication, and Cultural Navigation competencies. Want to know more about these professional competencies? See examples here

Common Career Fields

A sociology degree prepares graduates for a variety of careers focused on understanding and addressing social behavior, institutions, and inequalities. Many work in social services, such as case management, community outreach, or counseling. Others enter public policy, research, or government, analyzing data to inform social programs or advocate for change. In the nonprofit sector, sociology majors often work in program coordination, advocacy, law, or development. The degree is also valuable in business settings, especially in human resources, marketing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion roles.

Meet with your Advisor or Career Director!

Would you like to know more about the program to see if it’s a good fit for your goals? Would you like to know more about your career options? Do you have a career option in mind but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come meet with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Matt Armstrong, or your Career Director, Sara Larson.

Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment!

Course Progression

If you have questions about courses and course sequencing, feel free to reach out to faculty or Matt Armstrong.

Course substitutions and waivers
If you need a course substitution, please reach out to Matt Armstrong or Eric Dahlin

Grad Plans:
If you would like help creating a grad plan, consider meeting with an undergraduate specialist at the Liberal Arts Advisement Center.

Funding & Internships

Should I do an internship?
Internships are encouraged! They vary widely, based on students’ career path of choice! For questions about internships, you can reach out to Alison Sondrup, the internship Manager for Sociology, your academic and professional development manager, Matt Armstrong or your career director, Sara Larson.

Resources to find internships:

Funding for Internships
For information on funding sources, visit
Scholarship Information

Campus Resources

  • Sociology Department: For course questions, faculty contacts, and more, contact the Sociology Department.
  • Pre-Professional Advisement: For pre-med or pre-law resources, contact the Pre-Professional Advisement Center.
  • Handshake Internships and Job Board: To search internships and jobs that match your interests and skills, use Handshake.
  • Kennedy Center: For International Study programs and funding, contact the BYU Kennedy Center.
  • Career Director: To get help searching for and applying to jobs, plus connecting with employers and alumni, meet with Sara Larson.
  • Course Descriptions and offerings: To check out which classes will be offered in the upcoming semester, use the BYU Class Search.

Getting Involved

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Click here to access the student and alumni network.

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Click here to connect with the official BYU Sociology account.

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FAQ's

  • Sociology pairs well with many minors, depending on your career goals. Some common minors are Global Women’s Studies, Civic Engagement and Leadership, International Development, Gerontology, Statistics, or Africana Studies, You can check out all of the minors BYU offers in the BYU Catalog.

  • If it is an AIP hold, please meet with your academic and professional development manager, Matt Armstrong, to get that hold removed. Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center at 801-422-3541 to set up an appointment with him.

Links

Exploring the Major
Engaging in the Major
Looking Forward
FAQs