What students say sociology gave them, the course that prepares them for life’s hardest certainty, and where our graduates go to work…
Undergraduate Voices
“Being a student in the Department of Sociology has allowed me to explore my interests and gain valuable knowledge that I can use in my future career. My minor in criminology and criminal justice pairs very well with my major and enhances what I am learning in other classes. I have really enjoyed the classes I have taken within the department and am looking forward to taking more in the upcoming semesters!”
– Kaitlyn Casper, Class of ’28 – International Studies major, Criminology & Criminal Justice minor; Social Media and Engagement Chair, OSU Sociology and Criminology Student Club
“Sociology at OSU has been valuable to me in more ways than I can fully express… I would start with the critical thinking skills the major instills in its students. Every class and assignment carries the expectation that students will not simply regurgitate information mechanically, but apply it to real-world contexts and continue learning through that application.”
– Merafe Endalew, Class of ’26 – Sociology and African American and African Studies; thesis: “The narrative experiences of working poor individuals who experience downward mobility”
“My experience in the sociology program at OSU has completely transformed my professional and academic goals… the course offerings… lay the groundwork for a life dedicated to human rights… I have never had to question the allyship of the sociology department in standing behind me and other students as we fight for student and faculty rights… I truly cannot express enough gratitude for what the sociology program has given me over the last four years.”
– Molly Hornberger, Class of ’26 – Sociology and African American and African Studies; Public Management, Leadership & Policy; honors project on post-genocide development in Rwanda
Featured Course: “Death and Dying”
In an uncertain world, Associate Teaching Professor Kim Lopez’s course on Death and Dying is invaluable. Frequently cited as a most influential course, it is widely recognized as fascinating, important, and instrumental in encouraging students to become educated about, and prepared for, the end of lives.
Where Our Graduates Work
| For-profit company | Private non-profit | Government / public institution |
|---|---|---|---|
% employed | 30% | 20% | 50% |
Note: Results from the 2023–2025 OSU pre-graduation survey, based on acceptance or planned continuance of employment after graduation. Administered by the Office of Student Life.
Our graduates go on to law enforcement, public health, social services, data analytics, nonprofits, law firms, congressional offices, the Census Bureau, schools, and top graduate programs.