Explore societal complexities through a biblical lens. Sociology

If your dream career involves tackling society’s most significant issues, sociology might be a perfect major for you. The idea of relating to people and improving lives is woven into nearly every course we teach. Wheaton’s sociology major has a special focus on biblical advocacy in the promotion of social justice and equity.

Credential Type

  • B.A.

Major Credits Required

  • 124

Offered As

  • Major, Minor

Concentration Areas

  • Social Work

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

12% increase in demand

The U.S. Department of Labor anticipates social and community service manager positions to grow much faster than the average occupation through 2031.

75% completed an internship

Three-quarters of the most recent graduating class pursued at least one internship. 

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

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Sociology Anthropology department chapel

Why Wheaton for Sociology?

Wheaton sociology majors are often drawn to the holistic aspects of the gospel and driven toward careers related to advocacy, equity, and social justice. Sociology is also an ideal second major for various academic paths, from communication and political science to anthropology and theology.

What Can You Do With a Sociology Degree?

Sociology, with its combination of theory and practical research methods, serves as a solid foundation for careers in a broad range of industries, including social services, government, journalism and media, law enforcement, marketing, human resources,and education. 

What You’ll Learn: Sample Sociology Classes

Sociology majors take a variety of required and elective classes, including:

  • Intro to Sociology
  • Gender and Society
  • Social Change
  • The Family
  • Social Network Analysis
  • Crime and Delinquency
  • Urban Sociology

Faces and Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Our Faculty

Our faculty members have a wide range of research interests, including social anthropology, pop culture, sociology of religion, U.S. farming systems, social class and inequality, short-term missions, community development in South Asia, urban anthropology, and chaos

Our Department

The Sociology & Anthropology department itself becomes a second home for students. We have a long-standing tradition of spending time together: an end-of-year ice cream social, movie nights, chapel, and more. Our students develop a real connection with the department and each other.

Our Experiences

Sociology majors at Wheaton gain real-world experience and insight into the human condition in many ways, including internships, service-learning, study abroad, capstone projects, and faculty-mentored research. They also get involved on campus and in the community through advocacy-oriented student organizations.

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus (and beyond) in many ways.


Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond

  • Wheaton in Chicago
  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR Program)
  • Internships in the Chicago area and elsewhere
  • Other study abroad and domestic cultural immersion experiences
  • Teaching and research assistantships

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Center for Urban Studies
  • HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

Additional Academic Opportunities: Common Minors, Certificates & Second Majors

  • Anthropology
  • Urban Studies
  • Christian Formation and Ministry
  • Certificate for Mission Studies 
  • Gender Studies Certificate
  • 5th year accelerated master’s degree programs in related areas

 

SOCIOLOGY for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith & Learning at Wheaton

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. Our program recognizes the need to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ at all levels of social interaction, from face-to-face communication between families and couples to larger organizations and social movements.

More About Christ at the Core

Success After Wheaton Sociology Degree Career Paths

Jobs with a sociology degree are broader than you might think; they take our students into social services, business, education, government, human resources, journalism and media, law enforcement, marketing, ministry, and more.

Recent sociology alumni found positions such as:

  • Case manager
  • Child protection specialist
  • Clinical research coordinator
  • Community health worker
  • Data analyst
  • Director of analytics
  • Divisional human resources director
  • Elementary school teacher
  • Experience design consultant
  • Interpreter
  • Museum director of marketing and communications
  • Refugee camp counselor
  • Research associate
  • Senior business process analyst
  • Social worker
  • Women’s ministry director

Students who continued their education did so at schools and programs such as:

  • DePaul University (M.S., Refugee and Forced Migration Studies)
  • Emory University (MPH)
  • George Washington University (M.A., Forensic Psychology)
  • The Graduate School at Northwestern University (Ph.D., Statistics)
  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law (J.D.)
  • Washington University St. Louis School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Maryland (Ph.D., Criminology)
  • University of Minnesota (Ph.D., Sociology)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MSW)
  • University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D., Sociology)
  • Villanova University (M.S., Human Resources Development)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (M.S., Decision Analytics)
Ziyue Gu headshot for Wheaton College
Sociology Students in Action

Criminology and Christian Lament

“I believe that God is love and God is good, and I think that’s why I can still do my research.”

– Ziyue Gu ’19

After growing up in a household that solely emphasized the more joy-filled stories in Scripture, sociology major Ziyue Gu ’19 is coming to terms with the reality and necessity of Christian lament in the church and in criminology. When she first entered Wheaton, Gu had no idea what criminology was. But between a class on violence against women and a Prison Ministry trip her sophomore year, she realized that some of her assumptions about criminals needed to be nuanced, and that the field of criminology would allow her to not only do that for herself, but to help bring this realization to others. Read her story

 

Next Steps

Interested in what you can do with a sociology degree from Wheaton College? Request more information about our program or start your application today.

Rachel No Violence Mural
Program Highlight

Human Needs & Global Resources (HNGR) Program

HNGR is an exciting, interdisciplinary program that offers opportunities for many majors to integrate multidisciplinary coursework, a six-month internship, and whole-person formation through experiential learning. Students live, work, worship, and serve with local communities worldwide while accompanying host partner organizations that confront poverty, challenge inequity, transform conflict, pursue justice, and seek fullness of life.

Scholarships and other funding may be available for this immersive, international experience.

Explore HNGR Program