There are no prerequisites for the Sociology major. However, completing either a first-year seminar or one introductory course by the end of the sophomore year is recommended.
Students in the standard major and all concentrations must complete 13 term courses, including the senior requirement.
Yes, depending on the concentration, students may substitute a certain number of courses from other departments with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). The number of substitutions allowed varies by concentration.
For the non-intensive major, students must take one additional seminar in Sociology and write a one-credit (one-semester) senior essay (SOCY 4910 or SOCY 4920). For the intensive major, students undertake a yearlong program of original research (SOCY 493, 494). Students who complete the intensive yearlong thesis are eligible to graduate with Distinction in the Major and are eligible to receive the Mildred Priest Frank Memorial Prize.
Yes, students planning to study abroad in their junior year are strongly encouraged to begin meeting specific requirements in their sophomore year and discuss their plans with the DUS.
The standard major provides a broad exposure to sociological concepts, theories, and methods. The concentrations allow students to focus on specific areas of interest within Sociology, such as Economy and Society, Health and Society, Data and Society, or Inequality, Race, and Society. Each concentration has its own set of requirements. Note that the ‘standard’ major is quite flexible, and should be the default option for more students.
A maximum of two courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the requirements of the major.
The non-intensive major requires students to take one additional seminar in Sociology (SOCY 300-399) and write a one-credit senior essay (SOCY 4910 or SOCY 4920). The intensive major gives students an opportunity to undertake a yearlong program of original research (SOCY 493, 494), which requires substantial independent work. Intensive majors are eligible to graduate with Distinction in the Major if they meet the grade standards and submit a senior essay written in SOCY 493, 494.
Yes, qualified students may petition to enroll in graduate courses with permission from the instructor and the director of graduate studies. A list of graduate courses and descriptions is available in Yale course search.
Yes! Department faculty often advertise research assistant openings through the student employment office. Otherwise students are encouraged to express interest directly to faculty.
Recent graduates of the Sociology major have gone on to law school, medical school, or graduate programs in public health, business, education, urban planning, criminology, and sociology. Others work in fields such as finance, consulting, publishing, marketing, city planning, teaching, research, and advocacy. The Sociology major provides a strong foundation for various careers where an understanding of social processes and societies is valuable.
Students should regularly check the Sociology department’s website, subscribe to the department’s mailing list, and follow the department’s social media accounts to stay updated on events, opportunities, and deadlines. The DUS and department Registrar also send out regular communications to declared majors and prospective students. Students are encouraged to attend department events, such as guest lectures, seminars, and workshops, to engage with faculty and fellow students.
Students may engage in independent study under supervision of a member of the department faculty for course credit with approval of the DUS.
Yes, absolutely! In recent years, students have combined the study of sociology with a major in the sciences, humanities or other social sciences.
Contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Senior Thesis FAQs
A non-intensive, one-semester thesis is typically 25-30 pages and explores a sociological topic primarily through engaging with secondary sources. An intensive thesis is a yearlong (two semesters; two credit). An intensive, two-semester thesis is typically 50-60 pages and uses original data collection and analysis to answer a sociological question. Data can be in the form of interviews, ethnographic observations, statistical analyses, etc.
Any member of the Yale teaching faculty can advise an undergraduate thesis in the sociology department. This includes faculty in Yale College as well as in the professional schools (e.g., Law, SOM, Public Health, Medicine)
The faculty advisor on the project is responsible for assigning the final grade to the thesis. Note that students completing a yearlong intensive thesis will receive an intermediate grade (Pass/Fail) for the first semester; once the thesis is completed, the final grade will be retroactively applied to both semesters.
- A senior thesis in sociology should include the following elements:
- A research question
- A statement of why the research question is important
- A literature review of relevant social scientific literature
- Description of the data selected for analysis
- A discussion of the methods used for data analysis
- Analysis of results
- Discussion of the significance of the analysis, including general conclusions
- A bibliography of works cited
For more details, we have a guide on how to write a thesis in sociology.
To develop a productive relationship with your thesis advisor:
- Make early contact, even if you don’t have a fully developed research question yet
- Discuss your advisor’s preferred meeting frequency and working style
- Come prepared to meetings with questions, ideas, and notes
- Stay in touch throughout the research process, especially if you encounter difficulties
Some strategies for planning your senior thesis work include:
- Use the department’s set deadlines to plan backwards and set goals for drafts and advisor meetings
- Meet with your advisor when brainstorming, before starting to write, to get early feedback
- Set aside ample time between drafts and due dates to incorporate advisor feedback
- Remember that research and writing are iterative; start early and revise often
You can use various sociological methods in your thesis, such as:
- Quantitative analysis of existing survey datasets or original survey data
- Qualitative interviews with a sample of respondents
- Ethnographic participant observation and field notes
- Content analysis of text data like newspaper articles or websites
- Experimental designs comparing treatment and control groups
- Mixed methods approaches combining quantitative and qualitative data
Some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Choosing a research question that is too broad or vague; narrow it down to something focused and manageable
- Getting stuck reading and not leaving enough time for your own data collection and analysis
- Waiting until the last minute to write; start drafting early and revise often
- Neglecting to keep careful notes and records of your data; use a research log or journal
- Inadequately citing sources and evidence; follow proper citation practices to avoid plagiarism
- Failing to build a coherent argument across the sections; use your research question and argument as a guide
Yes, the department has limited resources available to support undergraduate majors in their research. Contact the DUS for more information.
