Sociology professor gives a lecture to students on the steps of a building at Rose Hill

Sociology

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Study Sociology at Fordham

About the sociology program

Dive into the dynamic social and cultural worlds that shape human experience as a sociology major at Fordham.

Here, you’ll go beyond just learning in the classroom. Conduct hands-on urban research across NYC neighborhoods. Gain real-world internship experience at government agencies and leading nonprofit organizations. Understand how society shapes people's lives, including the patterns, causes, and consequences of social inequality and oppression. And use this knowledge to make a difference in social work, education, and beyond.

Our graduates go on to …

  • nonprofit leadership
  • social science research
  • careers in human services, criminal justice, and education

Visit the sociology and anthropology department page

Students approach a lecturer for a post-talk discussion

Sociology program profile

  • Rose Hill CampusMajor
    Rose Hill
  • Rose Hill CampusMinor
    Rose Hill
  • Lincoln Center CampusMajor
    Lincoln Center
  • Lincoln Center CampusMinor
    Lincoln Center

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Program at a glance

92%

of sociology graduates in the past five years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or other meaningful endeavors within six months of graduation

31%

of sociology graduates in the past five years have pursued advanced degrees

New York State Department of Corrections, Legal Aid Society, Puerto Rican Family Institute, CBS, and Merrill Lynch

companies and organizations where sociology majors find internships

New York Center for Public Anthropology & Sociology

a Fordham research center that connects students to research opportunities, competitive internships, and direct partnerships with NYC institutions, local advocates, and public schools

Alpha Kappa Delta, Chapter Iota

Fordham's chapter of the international honor society for sociology students, with new members inducted each spring

Data for Social Change (SOCI 2625)

a course in which students use real NYC Open Data to research, visualize, and report on a current local issue, combining data skills with grassroots organizing and storytelling

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Sociology for the greater good

Licha Gonzalez and Colleen Farrell

Internship City                    

Explore how these Rams make the most of paid summer internships in NYC—like sociology major Caroline Lyons, who worked with Grassroots Grocery to address food insecurity in Harlem and the Bronx.

Sean Power, Amy Rini, Ethan Shepard, and Bhavika Yendapalli at Walsh Library, where solar panels have been generating electricity since 2010.

Change Driven by Data                    

Students, like sociology major Sean Power, are helping Fordham become more sustainable. See how their research is informing climate consciousness on campus—and preparing them for futures in sustainability.

Fordham student Annalisa Brown-Beebe with supervisors and colleagues at her hospital internship in Richmond, Virginia

Stepping Stones to Med School                    

Analisa Brown-Beebe, who paired her general science major with a double minor in philosophy and sociology, gained invaluable clinical experience and research skills for medical school through summer internships. Learn more about her hands-on opportunities across the city and the world.

Isaac Mullings, a junior psychology major, is studying a protein related to ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease.

Celebrating Student Innovation                    

Explore work from the undergraduate research symposium, like Grace Powers’ deep dive into the role of magic in early Russian and Ukrainian societies.

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Sociology program FAQs

  • Here, you’ll learn by doing. With hands-on opportunities in one of the world’s most influential cities, you’ll gain the skills and experiences employers seek. And in addition to the big city energy of New York, you’ll have a tight-knit, supportive campus community, eager for you to thrive.

  • Beyond building a fundamental understanding of how society shapes people’s lives, you might dive into specific areas of sociology with courses like American Criminal Justice, where you’ll examine the constitutional rights, jury selection, and media coverage of real court cases, or Data for Social Change, where you’ll explore how effective use of data can drive progress across organizations and communities.

  • Our location in the heart of New York City means you’ll have the opportunity to intern at top institutions year round. Here are just a few of the places sociology majors have interned:

    • New York State Department of Corrections
    • Legal Aid Society
    • Puerto Rican Family Institute
    • CBS
    • Merrill Lynch

  • Sociology prepares you for a wide variety of careers in areas like social work, law enforcement, public administration, environmental policy, education, and more. You’ll also be qualified to pursue further study in social research, criminology, law, community planning, and politics.

    Plus, you can connect with alumni through the Fordham Mentoring Program to receive one-on-one guidance and advice for your career.

  • At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. As a sociology major, you might use AI to process large sets of data or even conduct your own research on the effects of AI on human behavior.

    You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

    Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and emotional intelligence.

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