Sociology
Understand society, push for meaningful change
A sociology degree provides the tools to study social dynamics and lead change — so you can make an impact in the world.
Our sociology program at Simmons University’s Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences explores how society functions. You will learn to use sociological research and theory to support social equity and assume leadership roles.
As a sociology major, you'll explore topics like globalization, crime, disability studies, and social movements. In the process, you'll deepen your understanding of human behavior. You’ll also have opportunities to study abroad and apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Simmons provides a well-rounded liberal arts education with classes in women’s, gender and sexuality studies, Africana studies, and international relations. We emphasize community service and activism, providing plenty of opportunities to get involved and grow.
Our faculty supports diverse learning styles, offering personalized study options and independent learning opportunities.
Why Study Sociology in Boston?
At Simmons, you’ll be part of a community committed to social justice.
You’ll explore topics ranging from the global economy to the criminal justice system, from religion to intersectional feminism. Through this, you’ll develop a strong understanding of what shapes human behavior and the human experience.
Our program focuses on critical reading and thinking, sociological research methods, and communication skills. We take an interdisciplinary approach to studying social issues around inequality, resistance, and social change. If you're studying STEM or law, double major or minor in sociology to integrate social justice into your studies.
You’ll also have access to internships at nonprofits and community organizations in the Boston area. Past students have interned at organizations like:
- Hyde Square Task Force
- Fenway Community Health Center
- Girls Inc.
- North American Indian Center (Jamaica Plain)
- Codman Square Task Force
Our program shows the diversity at Simmons. More than 50% of undergraduates are students of color. Also, 50% of our students identify as LGBTQIA+. Many students — regardless of background — choose sociology to better understand social justice and those who have fought against oppression.
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?
A sociology degree offers career paths in areas like community organizing, law, public policy, social work, human services, or education. Many of our graduates also pursue doctoral studies in sociology and related fields.
Our alumnae/i have careers as:
- Professors
- Community organizers
- Researchers
- Teachers
- Health care professionals
- Union organizers
- Doulas and midwives
- Writers and poets
- Journalists and media professionals
- Lawyers
- Translators
Our Faculty
Dawna Thomas
Professor and Chair of the Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Valerie Leiter
Professor and Chair of the Public Health Department and Director of the Bachelor's Program in Public Health
Becky Thompson
Professor
Saher Selod
Associate Professor
Foster Kamanga
Assistant Teaching Professor
Spotlight on Sociology Students and Alums
Honoring the National Day of Racial Healing
January 21, 2025 — the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day — is the ninth annual National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH). Created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, NDORH "is an opportunity to engage in collective action to create a more just and equitable world."
Internship Inspires Alumnae/i Career in Healthcare
Dianna Shaw ’92, who majored in psychology and sociology at Simmons, was interviewed by The Bay Magazine about her over 30-year career assisting older adults.
A Multidisciplinary Education: Irish Immersion, State House Internship, and Reproductive Health Research
Sociology major Gracyn Delaune ’24 reflects on her time abroad, impactful internships and research opportunities, her favorite professors and what it is like to attend school in Boston.
Capitol Police Assistant Director Julie Farnam ’00 Publishes Insider Account of January 6 Attack
Julie Farnam ’00 was Assistant Director of the Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division of the United States Capitol Police when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Farnam has since written a book about the experience and resultant backlash.
Children’s Literature Editor Karen Boss ’95 ’13 Champions Diverse Authors in Successful Career Change
Karen Boss ’95 ’13MA earned a double Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sociology and returned to Simmons twenty years later for her Master’s in Children’s Literature. She is a senior editor at Charlesbridge, where she works on fiction and nonfiction picture books, and middle-grade and young adult works.
Michele Forzley ’73 Combines Law and Public Health
Michele Forzley '73 shares how she combined her law degree and expertise in international business to the field of public health.
Adunni Slackman Anderson '73 on the Influence of Strong Leaders
Dr. Adunni Slackman Anderson '73 has spent her career as a leader in education. For over 20 years, she served as Principal for the Montclair Public Schools, and for 10 years as the Lower School Head/Primary School Director for Kent Place School, a private, independent school for girls. We spoke to Slackman Anderson about how Simmons shaped her career, and her advice for future leaders.
Simmons Alum Researches Equity in Healthcare for Women
Tozoe Marton ’18 has done research with the Women's Global Health Imperative Group at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International as a public health analyst where she worked on women's global health, focusing on women and HIV.