Department of Sociology

We're the oldest sociology department in the United States - we study social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior.

Why Sociology?

It opens plenty of career opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels
It has relevance across a variety of fields
You'll learn how to understand the world around you
It prepares you for the pursuit of professional and graduate degrees
It's a fascinating and multifaceted discipline

Why Sociology at KU?

KU Sociology in the News

Congratulations to Rachael Hampton! Rachael is selected as one of the 2025-26 Self Memorial Scholars.

https://news.ku.edu/news/article/ku-announces-new-2025-2026-self-memorial-scholars. The Sociology Department is pleased to announce Rachael will be joining the KU Sociology Graduate Program in Fall 2025. ...

Congratulations Tracey LaPierre! Dr. LaPierre was awarded the 2025 Barbara Schowen Undergraduate Mentor Award from the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and Academic Affairs.

"Tracey has worked with so many students over the years with great success. Thank you, Tracey, for your dedication to Sociology students and to the first gen Health & Society students we will be meeting soon. Lovely trophy!" (Interim Chair Joane Nagel)...

Congratulations to Jennifer Babitzke!

Graduate student Jennifer Babitzke has been awarded the Graduate Student Grant-Writing Incentive Fund of the FY25-26 Research Excellence Initiative (REI) award from the College Dean's Office. She will use this fund to facilitate her dissertation research. ...