Fraser Hall with Moon in Background

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?

Student sitting in front of Jayhawk statue on computer

KU Sociology in the News

Qixin Pan receives CLAS Outstanding Thesis Award

KU Sociology graduate student Qixin Pan has been selected as a winner of the 2024 CLAS Outstanding Thesis Award. Congratulations, Qixin!

Mehrangiz Najafizadeh Receives 2023 Woodyard Award

Mehrangiz Najafizadeh, associate professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, is the recipient of the 2023 George and Eleanor Woodyard International Educator Award. She will give a talk on her work in international education during an award presentation and reception at 4 p.m.

Yurong Zhang receives Office of Graduate Studies Summer Research Scholarship

KU Sociology graduate student Yurong Zhang has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Office of Graduate Studies Summer Research Scholarship. Congratulations, Yurong!

Trafficking Narratives and the Prosecution of NXIVM

Although cults often inflict significant damage upon their followers, the prosecution of cult abuse is a challenging feat because of the legally incoherent nature of the harms. Increasingly, prosecutors have addressed cult abuses by prosecuting cult leaders for human trafficking.

Fraser in the Fall

Undergraduate Program

There are different paths for students interested in Sociology. Discover which is right for you and explore our majors and minors.

Get Started
Fraser Hall at Sunset showing the sun and Clinton Lake in distance

Graduate Program

Our graduate program allows you to learn alongside nationally recognized scholars and explore topics through faculty-student collaboration.

Explore our program

2023 Sociology Newsletter

Find out what our department, faculty, and students have been up to this year!
Read More

Meet Our Department

Learn about our faculty, graduate students, and administrative staff.