A sociology degree from Mount Mary University prepares you for graduate study and for entry-level sociology positions. We encourage sociology majors to explore diverse career options through course activities, research projects, internships and community service projects.

The average starting salary for entry-level positions that require a bachelor’s degree in sociology is $36,700, according to a 2013 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey. The annual media salary for a professional sociologist with an advanced degree is $72,360, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Create Graduate Study & Career Opportunities

Sociologists often work in education, social services, public policy or research industries. They study topics such as health, crime, education, ethnic relations, families, population trends, gender issues, poverty and aging. Sociologists specialize in analyzing systems and solving problems creatively to lead organizational innovation.  A master's or doctoral degree is require for some sociology and anthropology positions.

Mount Mary graduates have a 100 percent acceptance rate to graduate school throughout the past three years. With an advanced degree you could pursue a career as an:

  • Epidemiologist
  • Human resources director
  • Lawyer
  • Mediator
  • Nursing home executive
  • Policy analyst
  • Professor/researcher
  • Urban planner

Get Real-World Experience in College

Internships are required for most sociology students. Typically you’ll earn 3 credits per semester for working 8 hours per week in the field.

You can choose the location of your internship and work with a faculty supervisor to develop a learning plan and identify an on-site supervisor. During the semester, you’ll interact regularly with your faculty supervisor. The faculty supervisor will visit you at least two times at the internship location.

Mount Mary students have interned at the following organizations in the past:

  • Milwaukee Center for Independence
  • Milwaukee Public Schools
  • Luther Manor Adult Day Center
  • Pathfinders
  • St. Francis Children’s Center
  • Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Walker’s Point Youth and Family Services
  • Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Sexual Predators Unit
  • Interfaith Older Adult Programs
  • Women’s Center, Inc. (Waukesha)

Research Sociology Topics

Mount Mary provides opportunities for you to participate in research projects with faculty members.  During the Community Based Research course students work with an organization to assess programs.  Students may also work with a professor on a research project that assists a community organization, such as measuring the impact of parenting classes for single mothers or exploring how inner city communities can build peace circles.