Sociology (BA)
Program Description
The discipline of sociology and the sociology major at NYU examine how our individual lives are embedded in families, groups and social networks, neighborhoods and schools, and organizations and institutions. Sociologists focus on the ways in which our own biographies are influenced and constrained by broader social, political, and economic forces which can be very localized, but are increasingly global in scale.
We study sociology to understand the social world and to create change that will make it a better place. It is a discipline that gives students the tools to think critically about public issues of the day and to analyze many different kinds of evidence about the world that surrounds us. It pushes students to see the world differently, and to look beyond individuals to see the ways in which power, inequality, and social hierarchies operate beneath the surface of everyday life.
Honors Program
Students with at least a 3.65 GPA both overall and in the major (or who have permission of the director of undergraduate studies) may apply to our honors program.
The honors program in sociology provides senior sociology majors who meet the eligibility criteria the opportunity to graduate with honors by writing a thesis through the department’s year-long Honors Seminar. During the senior year, each honors student develops an original research project and writes a thesis based on that research. The Honors Seminar – led by a faculty member, with additional individualized support for students from a teaching assistant – prepares and guides the students through this process. Students also may have a mentor in another faculty member who advises them and oversees their work on the thesis.
In the fall of senior year, honors students register for the first term of SOC-UA 950 Senior Honors Research Seminar to develop and structure their research projects. In the spring of senior year, honors students take the second term of SOC-UA 951 Senior Honors Research Seminar and work under the supervision of their selected faculty adviser and/or instructor. The first term of SOC-UA 950 Senior Honors Research Seminar will be used to satisfy the capstone requirement. The second semester of SOC-UA 951 Senior Honors Research Seminar counts as one of the elective courses for the major. Students must complete both semesters to be eligible to graduate with honors.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.