Overview
Welcome to the Department of Sociology at Loyola University Chicago!
Here, our vibrant community—spanning faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate majors and minor-fosters intellectual growth, collaboration, and a deep commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of our society. Rooted in the rich traditions of sociology and the Jesuit mission of social justice, our department combines rigorous research, impactful publications, dynamic classroom instruction, and immersive experiences beyond the classroom. Together, we strive to make a meaningful difference both within and beyond our university.
What Is Sociology?
Sociology explores the many ways people interact and organize themselves—within families and nations, cities and suburbs, factories, schools, churches, and even gangs. Its subject matter is the world around us. Sociologists at Loyola explore questions such as how play in public parks can build community life, effective activism to protect the environment, and the integration of immigrants into American society. Sociologists tackle complex issues such as the causes of high infant mortality rates among Black women, the impact of real estate speculation on the creation of ghettos, the realities of gig economy work, or the spread of rumors in social networks. This perspective challenges us to see the world in new ways, uncovering the deeper patterns and forces shaping everyday life. By introducing sociology as a social science, our department fosters a critical understanding of how individuals connect through societal structures and how those structures profoundly influence our lives.
Department History & Overview
Founded in 1914, Loyola University Chicago's Department of Sociology has a proud legacy of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Undergraduate students joining our program become part of a vibrant academic community supported by fifteen full-time sociologists who are dedicated to both advancing knowledge and providing personalized mentorship. With small class sizes and meaningful faculty-student collaborations, our department offers an enriching learning environment tailored to our students' success.
Our faculty conduct cutting-edge research and teach across a wide range of sociological subfields, including:
- Urban, Environment, and Community
- Health and Medicine
- Politics, Power, and Social Justice
- Global and Transnational Studies
- Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality
- Religion, Science, and Knowledge
We take pride not only in our research contributions but also in the high-quality academic and personal experiences we offer to our majors and minors, preparing them for success in both their studies and their future endeavors. Students can gain "real world" experience and earn course credit through an internship with an agency here in Chicago or in their hometown.
Careers in Sociology
A sociology major offers valuable insights into the world while equipping students with communication and critical thinking skills that are highly adaptable and sought after in today’s workplace. Through a Loyola Sociology education, majors and minors develop key competencies, including:
- Engaging with diverse ideas and perspectives while interacting thoughtfully and respectfully, even in disagreement.
- Assessing data and evaluating claims with a critical eye.
- Conducting research and forming valid, data-driven conclusions about the social world.
Our graduates pursue a variety of paths, including advanced degrees in fields such as law and medicine. They also secure impactful roles in government, nonprofits, business, marketing, technology, and more. A sociology degree opens the door to meaningful careers that make a difference in society.
Degree Offerings
The department offers an undergraduate BA degree in sociology. We also offer a five-year combined BA/MA in sociology for selected sociology majors. In addition to offering undergraduate courses, the department maintains an active internship program that provides students with experience in community-based research and/or service.
The department also has an excellent graduate program offering the MA and PhD degrees in sociology. While our particular areas of focus in the graduate program are: 1) urban society and social policy; 2) religion, culture, and knowledge, our faculty’s diverse research interests extend to many other areas, including globalization, mass media, poverty and technology to name a few. In addition, there are opportunities to work with our Center on Urban Research and Learning (CURL), conducting community based studies throughout the city of Chicago.
Welcome to the Department of Sociology at Loyola University Chicago!
Here, our vibrant community—spanning faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate majors and minor-fosters intellectual growth, collaboration, and a deep commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of our society. Rooted in the rich traditions of sociology and the Jesuit mission of social justice, our department combines rigorous research, impactful publications, dynamic classroom instruction, and immersive experiences beyond the classroom. Together, we strive to make a meaningful difference both within and beyond our university.
What Is Sociology?
Sociology explores the many ways people interact and organize themselves—within families and nations, cities and suburbs, factories, schools, churches, and even gangs. Its subject matter is the world around us. Sociologists at Loyola explore questions such as how play in public parks can build community life, effective activism to protect the environment, and the integration of immigrants into American society. Sociologists tackle complex issues such as the causes of high infant mortality rates among Black women, the impact of real estate speculation on the creation of ghettos, the realities of gig economy work, or the spread of rumors in social networks. This perspective challenges us to see the world in new ways, uncovering the deeper patterns and forces shaping everyday life. By introducing sociology as a social science, our department fosters a critical understanding of how individuals connect through societal structures and how those structures profoundly influence our lives.
Department History & Overview
Founded in 1914, Loyola University Chicago's Department of Sociology has a proud legacy of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Undergraduate students joining our program become part of a vibrant academic community supported by fifteen full-time sociologists who are dedicated to both advancing knowledge and providing personalized mentorship. With small class sizes and meaningful faculty-student collaborations, our department offers an enriching learning environment tailored to our students' success.
Our faculty conduct cutting-edge research and teach across a wide range of sociological subfields, including:
- Urban, Environment, and Community
- Health and Medicine
- Politics, Power, and Social Justice
- Global and Transnational Studies
- Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality
- Religion, Science, and Knowledge
We take pride not only in our research contributions but also in the high-quality academic and personal experiences we offer to our majors and minors, preparing them for success in both their studies and their future endeavors. Students can gain "real world" experience and earn course credit through an internship with an agency here in Chicago or in their hometown.
Careers in Sociology
A sociology major offers valuable insights into the world while equipping students with communication and critical thinking skills that are highly adaptable and sought after in today’s workplace. Through a Loyola Sociology education, majors and minors develop key competencies, including:
- Engaging with diverse ideas and perspectives while interacting thoughtfully and respectfully, even in disagreement.
- Assessing data and evaluating claims with a critical eye.
- Conducting research and forming valid, data-driven conclusions about the social world.
Our graduates pursue a variety of paths, including advanced degrees in fields such as law and medicine. They also secure impactful roles in government, nonprofits, business, marketing, technology, and more. A sociology degree opens the door to meaningful careers that make a difference in society.
Degree Offerings
The department offers an undergraduate BA degree in sociology. We also offer a five-year combined BA/MA in sociology for selected sociology majors. In addition to offering undergraduate courses, the department maintains an active internship program that provides students with experience in community-based research and/or service.
The department also has an excellent graduate program offering the MA and PhD degrees in sociology. While our particular areas of focus in the graduate program are: 1) urban society and social policy; 2) religion, culture, and knowledge, our faculty’s diverse research interests extend to many other areas, including globalization, mass media, poverty and technology to name a few. In addition, there are opportunities to work with our Center on Urban Research and Learning (CURL), conducting community based studies throughout the city of Chicago.