If you are interested in human behavior, inspired by social justice and activism, and curious about how cultural institutions and societal structures shape our lives, you'll find a home in sociology.
The study of sociology applies scientific theory to get to the root of how societies work and why they don't, and uses scientific tools to study and find solutions to problems such as gender and racial inequities, homelessness, poverty, and gun violence.
Department Highlights
As a sociology major at Hofstra, you'll get a solid foundation in social theory and scientific method, developing theoretical and analytical skills to evaluate and conduct research and analysis into social problems and inequalities in global, institutional, and interpersonal relations.
The department offers:
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Collaboration with the campus Center for Civic Engagement, where you can minor in civic engagement and intern for academic credit with community partners such as the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, Advocates for Community Health, and the Workplace Project.
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A campus chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society.
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An undergraduate major and minor in criminology, with a lecture series on subjects such as forensic linguistics, anger management, restorative justice techniques, and wrongful convictions.
In the Classroom
Learn from the Experts
Our diverse and experienced faculty, made up of award-winning published scholars and researchers, work on important initiatives about human rights, gender, racial, and sexual equality, human trafficking, immigration, labor rights, and sustainability, among other issues.
Majors and Programs
The BA in Sociology exposes you to a broad range of issues and theories that offer insight into how humans interact in society. You will leave the program with strong critical, investigative, and reasoning skills, the ability to compose solid argument-based writing, and the confidence needed to clearly present research and work with diverse groups of people. The mastery of these traits will make you a competitive candidate in many professions.
Your education begins with a strong foundation in sociological theory, issues in contemporary society, and the use of statistics and research methods. Honing your ability to gather and analyze data is also an important element of Hofstra’s sociology program.
BA in Sociology
You will choose from among select courses that focus specifically on issues of race, gender, and social inequality. And because a sociologist deals with every aspect of human interaction, you will complete coursework in humanities, natural, and social sciences, obtaining a solid liberal arts education.
With the help of your advisor, you will select from a broad palette of courses to design the program best suited to your passions and plans.
A small sample of these classes includes:
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Crime and Delinquency
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Youth, Crisis, and American Culture
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Poverty, Hunger, and Social Policy
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Sociology of Health and Medicine
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Work in the Global Economy
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Sociology of Terrorism
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Race and Ethnicity in the United States
You may also minor in sociology.
BA in Criminology
Though housed in the Department of Sociology, the criminology program is interdisciplinary and strongly based in the liberal arts. You'll take a broad array of courses from social and physical sciences, as well as humanities, in disciplines such as sociology, political science, philosophy, forensics, and linguistics. The program is designed to provide students with sound methodological and analytical skills, leading to critical understanding of criminal behavior and the operation of the criminal justice system. The goal of the program is to prepare students for further studies as well as leadership positions in the fields of law, criminal justice administration, policy development, and national security.
A minor in criminology is also available.
Making a Difference in the Community
Hofstra's partnership with CARECEN (the Central American Refugee Center), a local agency that provides legal and educational services to immigrants, launched in 2019 with a cohort of 40 students from sociology and other social science majors. Learn how our students are helping immigrants prepare for the citizenship exam and build their English language skills.
The Outlook
A degree in sociology prepares you for a broad range of career options. You can work at a research institute that focuses on a specific policy issue, in the criminal justice system, as a social worker, a teacher, a political pollster, or in community relations. A sociology major is also great preparation for advanced degrees in law, medicine, or business.
Alumni outcomes
96% of recent alumni surveyed in the social sciences reported that within a year of graduation they were employed or attending or planning to attend graduate school. More on alumni outcomes
Where our alumni are employed
90% of those alumni reporting employment responded that they had landed their position within six months of graduation. The mean annual salary reported for the first year following graduation was $49K.
Some places graduates in the social sciences are working include:
- Alzheimer's Association
- Amazon
- Columbia University
- Department of Justice
- Family Service League
- Great Neck Union Free School District
- Northwell Health
- Queens Law Associates
- Sanctuary For Families
- Success Academy Charter School
Graduate studies
Sociology alumni who have decided to pursue advanced degrees are doing so at such prestigious institutions as:
- Columbia University
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- George Mason University
- New York University
- Pepperdine University
- Syracuse University
- Teachers College, Columbia University
- University of Chicago
- University of Southern California
- University of Washington, Seattle