Our interdisciplinary department is committed to helping student develop an understanding of society, of cultures around the world, of human behavior in all its diversity, and the ways in which social groups respond to and are transformed by local and global forces. Through the classroom experience, ethnographic fieldwork, internships, service learning, research, and independent study, students examine their values, and begin to understand how they can bring about change in their own localized environment and the world.

We take pride in providing multiple learning opportunities for our students, whether their interests are in criminal justice, anthropology, social policy, sociological research, women's studies, child and family studies, gerontology, community organizing, counseling, and social work, law, business or government. Our intention is to prepare students to do well in a chosen career or in graduate school.

It is our goal educate students to think critically, problem solve, speak and write well, and empathize with others who are different from themselves. We hope that all our students will leave MCLA better able to handle the complexities of life in the 21st century.

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work offers a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. The program emphasizes both scientific and humanistic methods of inquiry in the study of dynamics within families, delinquent gangs, factory work groups, high technology industries, social classes, and other groups. Students are encouraged to integrate formal instruction with supervised activities outside the classroom such as internships and practica in social agencies, research in the local community, service learning experiences, or attendance at professional meetings. Students may specialize in studying such areas as anthropology, sociology, social work, health and aging, or criminal justice. Programs available to majors can lead to graduate training in sociology, anthropology, social work, counseling, public health, law, and related disciplines. Many graduates pursue careers in such fields as counseling, corrections, health services, rehabilitation, urban planning, social research, management, personnel, and sales.

Teacher Licensure/Certification:
Students majoring in sociology may opt to pursue provisional teacher licensure as an early childhood teacher or elementary teacher. These students will complete the sociology major and a licensure program in education.

Catalog(Acrobat reader required)