Sociology Major, B.A.

Sociology prepares you to live in a changing world and to change the world you live in through the study of human social relationships and institutions.

MSU Denver’s Sociology degree program focuses on Applied Sociology, which is the use of sociological methods to understand everyday societal problems. As a Sociology major, you will study the cultural, ideological, economic and political contexts of human action, including the processes that create, maintain and transform social institutions. You will gain insights into social factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, education and social class that affect work, groups and organizations.

The best way to understand sociology is to apply it, so you will receive opportunities for internships in a variety of settings. For example, MSU Denver students have helped supervise restorative justice interventions for middle and high school students in Denver Public Schools. At the Fort Collins Museum of Art, they have worked to develop museum programming and community outreach efforts for preschool/pre-k students. They have evaluated an initiative on the Blackfeet Reservation by the Native American Community Development Corporation in Browning, Mont., and have performed wellness assessments for Eaton Senior Communities.

Research is fundamental to earning a Sociology degree at MSU Denver and will connect you to real-life experiences analyzing various sociological impacts in the broader Denver community.

For instance, in our Senior Experience courses, students conduct surveys with metro Denver organizations such as Mercy Housing and Arapahoe/Douglas Works. Students in our Urban Sociology course examine Denver’s issues including class divisions, urban institutions and mass communications, and have presented their findings to the city’s mayor.

In addition, as part of independent study projects, students can conduct research and present papers at professional conferences on topics such as sex trafficking and gun control.

Facilities and Resources

MSU Denver is located on the Auraria Campus, which it shares with the University of Colorado Denver and Community College Denver. Its proximity to downtown Denver offers you a living laboratory for applying what you have learned in the classroom to the vibrant and diverse communities that make up the Mile High City.

An undergraduate degree in Sociology provides students with the necessary skills to be successful in the rapidly evolving job market. MSU Denver Sociology graduates appeal to employers who are looking for strong critical thinking, communication skills, ethical judgment, the ability to work in diverse teams and openness to continuous learning. A Sociology degree from MSU Denver is a springboard to number of careers in a range of fields, among them education, government, market research, case management and human resources.

Master’s degrees are preferred for employment as a sociologist and MSU Denver Sociology graduates have been accepted for post-graduate study at numerous universities, including Notre Dame, Montana State University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Denver, Colorado State University, Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver and the University of Kent in the United Kingdom.

Karam Adibifar

Karam Adibifar (MSU Denver ’91) went on to earn a Ph.D. in Sociology in 2003 from South Dakota State University. He brings to his courses specific expertise in family issues, as he holds certification as a child and family investigator, marriage and family therapist and sex therapist. His research interests are as varied as his teaching, including global and domestic issues, social-psychology and human health. In addition, he has considerable knowledge of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Middle East.