Whether you're passionate about social justice, fascinated by cultural trends, or driven to improve lives, the Sociology Program at IU School of Liberal Arts gives you the tools to turn insight into action. Join a community of thinkers, changemakers, and future leaders. To study sociology is to shape society.
At IU Indianapolis, our Sociology program invites you to explore the forces that define society—and empowers you to become one of them. Sociology is more than studying people. It’s about understanding the systems, structures, and stories that shape our world. Our students tackle a range of real-world issues with critical thinking, data analysis, and a deep sense of purpose.
You’ll study with faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their research in areas such as urban sociology, health disparities, and religious studies. Our professors are not only prolific scholars—publishing in top-tier journals and securing competitive research grants—but also dedicated educators who value teaching and student success.
At the undergraduate level, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology or choose a B.A. in Medical Sociology if you're especially interested in health and society. We also offer minors that let you add sociological insight to any major.
If you're pursuing a Ph.D. in another field, you can also add a Sociology Ph.D. minor to broaden your perspective and strengthen your research foundation.
Undergraduate
B.A. Sociology
If you’re deeply interested in understanding how society works, majoring in Sociology at IU Indianapolis is a powerful choice. You’ll take a broader set of courses, giving you the chance to explore the field in greater depth and from multiple angles.
One of the unique strengths of sociology is the wide range of evidence it draws on—from interviews and surveys to historical records and big data. You won’t just learn how sociologists gather this information; you’ll build critical thinking, data analysis, and communication skills that employers value. You’ll learn to ask smart questions, interpret research, and explore real-world issues like inequality, health, and culture. You’ll also build cultural awareness and a problem-solving mindset—essential for careers in people-focused fields and excellent preparation for graduate study in law, health, business, and more.
B.A. in Medical Sociology
If you're interested in the intersection of health and society, the Medical Sociology concentration at IU Indianapolis offers a focused path within your Sociology major—helping you explore how social factors shape health, illness, and health care delivery, while preparing you for medical school or careers in public and private health sectors.
This program helps you think like a sociologist, ask smart questions, and understand real research about health. You’ll look at topics like doctor-patient relationships, how health care systems are organized, the social patterns behind disease and disability, and how gender, sexuality, and culture influence health outcomes. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the human side of medicine and build skills that can help you talk about health issues clearly and use research in whatever career you choose.
Medical sociology is especially useful if you're planning to study psychology, nursing, health sciences, business, public health, or anything related to helping people live healthier lives.
Minor in Sociology
Deepen your understanding of society with a sociology minor that offers a focused look at the sociological perspective and the flexibility to match your interests. You’ll take one introductory course and choose five electives, making it easy to pair with majors like psychology, social work, education, nursing, or other liberal arts programs.
This minor broadens your view of the world and supports careers in social science, education, law, government, health care, and business.
Minor in Medical Sociology
With a minor in medical sociology, you’ll explore how health, illness, and health care are shaped by social forces. You’ll study topics like doctor-patient relationships, health care systems, epidemiology, and chronic illness. Courses cover areas such as gender and health, AIDS, disability, death and dying, and sexuality.
Minor in Criminology
When you study criminology, you’ll examine crime and criminal behavior through a social scientific lens. A Criminology minor helps you understand the causes and consequences of crime, introducing you to key concepts, theories, and research methods. Your coursework will cover topics like deviance, crime prevention, and the justice system, while sharpening your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
With a Criminology minor, you can pursue careers in law, social work, policy analysis, corrections, or counseling—and you’ll be well-prepared for law school or graduate studies in criminology, sociology, or social work.
Graduate
Ph.D. Minor in Sociology
If you’re working toward a Ph.D. at IU Indianapolis, adding a graduate minor in Sociology is a great way to expand your research skills and deepen your understanding of social theory and methods. This minor helps you build multidisciplinary skills by adding sociological theory and research methods to your main field of study. Its flexible curriculum lets you explore core topics and dive into advanced theory, data analysis, and statistics—enhancing your perspective and research strength.
Skills that translate into careers that matter
Sociology is one of the most flexible and wide-reaching degrees you can earn at both the undergraduate and graduate level. It gives you practical tools to understand how people and systems interact, which are valuable skills in nearly every industry. You’ll learn how to analyze data, conduct field research, apply theory to real-world problems, and think critically about social dynamics.
Our graduates have built careers in law, medicine, public health, consulting, finance, nonprofit leadership, public administration, social network analysis, and the arts. They’ve gone on to work in hospitals, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and private firms—often in roles that require both analytical thinking and a deep understanding of people.
