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Why Study Sociology?

Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior and the complexities of human social relationships. If you want to understand social behavior in the real world, sociology is where you find the answers. Regardless of your chosen career path, having a critical understanding of the social world can put you at the forefront of your career field.

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It is a top-notch program. I'd recommend this program to anybody who wants to improve the rigor of the work they do.

– Tracy Sims (2020 MA in Sociology graduate); Senior Director, U.S. Lead of Chronic Disease Environment Shaping at Eli Lilly and Company

Featured Alumni

  • Chenoia N. Bryant

    Chenoia N. Bryant

    Chenoia Bryant (PhD 2020) is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences at the Xavier University of Louisiana.

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  • Vicki Winstead

    Vicki Winstead

    Vicki Winstead (PhD 2014) is a program manager in the Office of Research and Scholarship in the UAB School of Nursing.

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  • Jeffrey E. Hall

    Jeffrey E. Hall

    Jeffrey E. Hall (PhD, MSPH, 2003) is the Deputy Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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  • Jay A. Irwin

    Jay A. Irwin

    Jay Irwin (PhD 2009) is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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Latest News

  • Seventeen CAS faculty members receive promotions
    Seventeen CAS faculty members receive promotions
    The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce that 17 faculty members across 12 departments have been awarded promotions (including four faculty members who also were awarded tenure). The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce that 17 faculty members across 12 departments have been awarded promotions (including four faculty members who also were awarded tenure).
  • 12 honored with 2026 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
    12 honored with 2026 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
    The 2026 honorees for the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College, and the Graduate School. Hear what their students and colleagues have to say in this story.
  • Inside the Inaugural ‘Mike’ Wilson Lecture
    Inside the Inaugural ‘Mike’ Wilson Lecture
    As the second annual ‘Mike’ Wilson Lecture approaches on October 23, 2026, CAS News looks back at the inaugural event in the series. Hosted each fall by the Department of Sociology, the lecture is made possible through a generous gift from its namesake.