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, psycholog 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 Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Sociology (Packteach), a Master of Arts 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

Bachelor's program

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.

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.

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 Advisors. 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 Silver Core Curriculum, foreign language, CLA breadth, or the minor requirements
  • Students on academic probation
  • 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 advisors 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 (at summer orientation) and throughout the first year.

Faculty advisors

Each academic department in the College of Liberal Arts has one or more faculty advisors. The faculty advisors 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 advisors can serve as mentors to students as they progress through their degree.

It is best to consult with a faculty advisor 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 advisors on a regular basis, especially after completing the first year of study.