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Sociology Major and Minor

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Students pursuing a Sociology degree at Curry College present at a conference

100% Job Placement/5% Industry Job Growth Through 2030

Create the world you want to see. Majoring in sociology will help you understand human behavior and social change, giving you the tools to make your world more just and inclusive. From grassroots organizing to urban population dynamics, you will take courses that will develop your ability to analyze social and political forces, and set you up for success in a variety of people-centered career paths.

The sociology program at Curry College will offer you an in-depth look at contemporary human society including: issues in social justice; social institutions like law, medicine, and education; climate, migration and globalization; and intersectional identities. The course work brings together the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, and social work and social policy, and provides you training in research and activism that you can use for careers in nonprofit, education, health care, criminal justice, and governmental spheres.

Courses You'll Love

Diversity in Families
Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
Medicine & the Body
Sociology of Pop Culture
Grassroots: Organization and Leadership
Social Movements and Social Action
Climate Justice

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The Path to Your Dream Career

Just a few of the many career options include:

  • Community Organizer
  • Corporate Ethnographer
  • Data/Research Analyst
  • Demographer
  • Health Administrator Case Manager
  • Policy Analyst
  • Rehab Counselor
  • Social Worker
  • User Experience (UX) Researcher
  • Victim Advocate
  • Youth and Family Counselor

Or apply the communication and interpersonal skills you’ve gained in business, education, and health-related fields.

Our Alumni in the Field

Our alumni are leading the way at:

  • Craig's Doors
  • Homeless Shelters
  • Victory Programs

And they’re continuing their educations at:

  • George Washington University
  • Merrimack College
  • Simmons University
  • UMass Boston
  • and more!

Mission:

The Sociology program at Curry College offers students the opportunity to look at small-scale interactions of daily life and the large- scale organization and functions of social institutions in various settings and societies. Students gain insight into how the social world transcends individuals in historically evolving structural and cultural patterns. The program enables students to understand the influence of diversity (e.g., race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation) and inequality on their lives and the lives of others. These influences will be framed under the larger themes of social justice and global awareness, with an emphasis on social construction and the ways in which these constructions create boundaries that categorize, separate, advantage, or marginalize people. Using the knowledge gained from this perspective, students will better understand how people live together and give meaning to their own actions and attribute meaning to others’ actions. Students will be able to think critically about solutions to social problems in the United States and globally. Students will gain a deeper understanding and awareness about themselves and the wider world and acquire knowledge and skills that are useful personally and professionally (e.g., human services, social work, criminal justice, politics, and business). The program and its faculty encourage community service and internships.

1. Sociological Perspective/Lens:
Explain how sociologists think about the social world and demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between individuals, communities, and the broader society.

2. Theory and Methods:
Compare and contrast different methodologies and theoretical perspectives and articulate the relationship between sociological theory and sociological  research, particularly as it relates to social problems.

3. Social Justice and Diversity:
Analyze social processes through which power is allocated and how this leads to privilege or marginalization.

4. Professional Readiness:
Demonstrate readiness to transition to professional or higher education endeavors.

Mackenzie Rider ’21

With a Love for Science and Sociology, Mackenzie Rider ’21 Charts a Unique Path of Her Own

As a first-year student, Mackenzie Rider started her career at Curry College as a biology major, with the goal of studying dental medicine. But soon, the commuter student from Attleboro discovered a broader journey at the College, filled with the exploration of new interests, opportunities, and experiences. She found a new passion in sociology, and now as a double major has forged forward with as many of her interests as possible.

Meet Mackenzie
A student intern stands in front of a local police station

5th Year Master's in Criminal Justice

The 5th Year MACJ program is an "honors" level program for students that are interested in earning both an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. This program is available to all Curry College students, regardless of which bachelor's degree they are working toward earning.

Explore the 5th Year MACJ Dual Degree
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Criminal Justice Major/Minor

Do you love the law? Want to make a difference by standing up for those who need a voice? Then a criminal justice major or minor may be for you.

Explore Criminal Justice
Fists in the air represent the Transformative Justice Major

Transformative Justice Major

Students graduating from Curry College with a degree in Transformative Justice will be prepared for a variety of careers in human services, organizing, non-profit, and/or human rights as advocates and assisting in interventions for those who have been harmed or are in crisis.

Explore Transformative Justice
A student and faculty member Collaborate in the Curry College Forensic Science Lab

Forensic Science Major/Minor

Curry College is pleased to offer students a major and minor in Forensic Science. Forensic Science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Many technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.

Explore Forensic Science
A collage of diverse faces represents the Critical Inequality Studies Minor/Concentration

Critical Inequality Studies Minor/Concentration

Curry's minor in Critical Inequality Studies is one of the only of its kind in New England. It follows an emerging trend among higher education leaders dedicated to expanding the understanding of inequality patterns and how these issues impact individuals, institutions, and society.

Explore Critical Inequality Studies
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Law and Society Minor

Students pursuing a minor in Law and Society will be prepared for careers in advocacy, legal research, paralegal studies, and for those who wish to pursue graduate school in law.

Explore Law and Society
Student perform social work in the community

Social Work Minor

The Curry College Social Work minor focuses on the study of social work practice with emphasis on the historical and philosophical values of social welfare in the United States. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to provide social work services in today's diverse environment.

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Group therapy session represents the Restorative Justice Certificate at Curry College

Restorative Justice Certificate

Many professionals in careers that involve helping and supporting others are not adequately prepared to deal with the trauma rich environments they work in, causing a resulting stress. The Restorative Justice certificate program focuses students on trauma, healing and resiliency with an emphasis on restorative justice practices where the relationship between justice and healing is explored.

Explore Restorative Justice
Cybercrime minor represented by a student researching on her computer

Cybercrime Minor

A minor in cybercrime will expose students to the world of crime involving computers, the internet and related modern technologies preparing them for professions in legal investigation, law enforcement and data analysis.

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Survivor/Witness/Victim Advocacy

The Survivor/Witness/Victim Advocacy concentration, by promoting empathy and human rights, helps prepare students for careers in informed advocacy for people who have witnessed or have been victimized by crime.

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Explore Related Programs:

A Curry College student receives her Criminal Justice Honor Society certificate

Criminal Justice Honor Society

Lambda Alpha is the Curry College Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Students must have a 3.2 in the Criminal Justice major and a 3.2 GPA overall to be eligible.

Criminal Justice Honor Society
Curry College students receive their Sociology Honor Society certificate

Sociology Honor Society

The purpose of Alpha Kappa Delta is to promote human welfare through the association of a fellowship group interested in developing scientific knowledge that may be applied to the solution of social problems.

Sociology Honor Society
A Curry College Criminal Justice Student Organization students pose for a photo

CJSO

The Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJSO) provides a place for students interested in Criminal Justice to explore the field in a variety of ways with other students who share a common interest.

CJSO
A Curry College W.E.B. DuBois Sociology Club member explains her club to fellow students

DuBois Sociology Club

The W.E.B Dubois Sociology Club guides students to better understand the problems and the needs of our society, people, community, and environment through a sociological perspective.

A Curry College Study Abroad student pets an elephant in Thailand

Study Abroad

Along with institutional partnerships, you can create your own Study Abroad opportunity, or go global with our own faculty members as part of our Short-term, Faculty-led Courses.

Study Abroad
Curry College students laughing in science lab

First-Year Experience

Making the transition to college can be a little confusing and lot of fun. Your First-Year Experience at Curry College helps smooth out the bumps and puts you on the path to success.

First-Year Experience
A Curry College faculty member interacts with students in the classroom

Gen Ed

At the heart of Curry College's undergraduate curriculum is our General Education (Gen Ed) Program. Gen Ed is based on our belief in the power and potential of the liberal arts.

General Education

Take the next step

We're excited you're considering our outstanding Curry College academic programs and look forward to helping you reach your career goals.

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