Department of Sociology

Sociology is a popular major at the University of Nevada, Reno and is an appropriate field of study for many students that pairs well with anthropology, communication studies, criminal justice, gender, race & identity, political science, psychology and more. Students who graduate with a BA in sociology have a variety of career options such as domestic violence victims advocate, program evaluation researcher or marketing analyst.

The department offers a B.A. in sociology, a B.A. in social research analytics, a B.A. in Secondary Education and Sociology (Packteach), an M.A. degree in sociology, a BA/MA accelerated program, and two minors: a Sociology minor and a Social Research Methods and Applied Statistics minor. The department also participates in the Social Psychology Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program.

Sociology is the scientific study of human societies and how they develop, are maintained, and change. Sociology analyzes a range of human social behavior from social interactions between individuals to global social processes, often focusing on the causes and consequences of social inequalities. Areas of sociological interest include gender, race, social class, culture, deviance, education, families, globalization, health, justice, media, politics, religion, well-being, work, sexualities and more.

The Department of Sociology is part of the School of Social Research and Justice Studies, whose purpose is to facilitate and encourage interdisciplinary social research, especially in social justice and related areas and to expedite and promote interdisciplinary teaching and development of degree programs among the constituent organizational elements making up the school.

one female and one male student sit in a computer lab

B.A. in sociology

The Department of Sociology offers a B.A. in sociology and a minor program for students interested in examining social classes, political analysis and the development of modern society.

Learn about the B.A. in sociology

Five people in a classroom working on a computer and having a discussion.

B.A. in social research analytics

For students interested in using quantitative and qualitative data to gain insights into various social phenomena, informing policy decisions, marketing strategies and social science research, the department offers a B.A. in social research analytics.

Learn about the B.A. in social research analytics

student and professor look over text book while two other people look over a book in the background

Graduate program

The Department of Sociology offers a M.A. in sociology and participates in the Ph.D. program in social psychology. Policy research and the study of social relations are closely examined in the master's program.

Learn about the M.A. in sociology

View of University of Nevada, Reno campus from above

New minor in Social Research Methods and Applied Statistics

Ever wonder what kind of job you can get with a liberal arts degree? Consider earning this minor, so you can graduate from college prepared to conduct social research on the job.

This 18-credit minor in social research methods and applied statistics prepares college graduates for entry-level applied and basic social research positions in a variety of settings including government agencies, non-profit organizations and academic research centers.

For more information, contact Marta Elliott, chair of the Department of Sociology at (775) 784-4884.

Department advising

The Department of Sociology is holding virtual office hours. Cheryl Maes is available Monday and Wednesday 12 - 2 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 1 - 2:30 p.m. Email Cheryl Maes for an appointment.

Advisors in the College of Liberal Arts

There are two types of academic advisors in the College of Liberal Arts: College Advisors and Faculty Mentors. Both types of advisors can assist you with your academic progress in different ways and you are able to meet with both types of advisors.

College advisors

The College advisors, located in the College of Liberal Arts Student Center, are year-round professional staff members whose primary role is academic advisement. College advisors are able to assist all students with a major or minor in liberal arts programs.

A College advisor can be particularly helpful with advising for:

New students to the University (incoming freshmen/first-year students and new transfer students)
Students changing their major into the College of Liberal Arts from another College/School at the University
Questions regarding overall degree framework, including Core Curriculum, CLA language, CLA breadth, or the minor requirements
Students on academic recovery for low University GPA
Pre-graduation evaluations for students nearing the completion of their degree preparing to graduate
General advising or exploration of liberal arts majors and minors
When faculty mentors are not available (especially during winter or summer breaks)

First-year students generally meet with College advisors prior to their first semester at the University (as part of summer orientation advising) and throughout the first year.

Faculty mentors

Each academic department in the College of Liberal Arts has one or more faculty mentors. The faculty mentors are academic faculty members that advise specifically for their department’s major and minor programs. In addition to their roles as instructors and scholars, faculty mentors can serve as mentors to students as they progress through their degree.

It is best to consult with a faculty mentor for:

Questions about requirements or course substitutions in a major/minor program
Selecting specific major/minor classes to meet your academic or professional interests
Graduate and professional school planning
Exploring internship and career opportunities related to your program

Students are encouraged to meet with faculty mentors on a regular basis, especially after completing the first year of study.

Socializing with sociologists events

There are currently no events

The Department of Sociology at the University of Nevada, Reno unequivocally denounces white supremacy, systemic racism and other forms of hate, discrimination and prejudice. The nature, causes and consequences of systemic racism and inequality are core concerns of Sociology and we are committed to combatting racial injustice through our scholarship, teaching and service. Racial injustices negatively impact all historically marginalized people including but not limited to Indigenous communities, Black communities, Asian-American and Asian Pacific Islander communities, and Latinx communities. Considering the current iterations of movements against persistent racial injustice, we stand in solidarity with Black students, faculty and staff at the University of Nevada, Reno, with the larger Black Lives Matter movement. We condemn all forms of racism and racial injustice in our society and globally. This statement reflects our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging among all our students. Beyond this statement, our faculty are committed to understanding and combatting structures of oppression in the U.S. and throughout the world. This includes programming, faculty research and courses on race and ethnic relations and ethno-national conflict in the U.S. and abroad, social movements and intersectionality, among others. We invite you to work with us in addressing these issues in the classroom and beyond. In addition, we suggest the following sources used in sociology courses and research.

Review a more expansive list of antiracist, antibias and antihate resources from the College of Liberal Arts.