Department of Sociology (SOC)

Welcome to Sociology

The Department of Sociology is committed to creating a supportive environment for student centered learning and achievement. Our students are exposed to all aspects of sociology and acquire sociological perspectives and the techniques for studying society. They learn to critically examine the value assumptions of our institutions and social practices, including the values and practices of our discipline itself. This reflexive stance is an essential element of sociological understanding. Our students will learn how sociology has been used to solve problems for clients, foundations, agencies, and the community, and has contributed to social policy formulation and policy analysis. They will learn how sociologists engage in dialog and engagement with different publics in the civil society. Through their education, our students will understand that sociology and civil society are interdependent, both flourishing in an open and democratic discourse on the issues and crises of modernity.

Explore Our Department

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Student Resources

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Programs

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Student Spotlight

Announcements

Apply for the 2026 Sociology Department Awards - by Dec 1st

Each year we honor students who have excelled academically with monetary awards ranging from $250 to $500. Attached as a fillable PDF file is the Student Award Application. Eligibility Requirements to Apply for Awards:

1. Completed Application Form (Page 2)

2. Undergraduate Students: You are currently a sociology major in your sophomore, junior, or senior year (students graduating in Fall 2025 are not eligible to apply).

3. Graduate Students: You are currently a graduate student in the M.A. program in Sociology and have completed at least one semester (students graduating from the M.A. program in Sociology in Fall 2025 are not eligible to apply).

4. You have a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 or higher.

All eligible students are encouraged to apply! Application Deadline: Monday, December 1st at 5:00PM.

Monetary awards will be given in January, prior to the Spring semester, with recipients honored at the annual Sociology Honors Reception on Monday, May 11th, 2026. Award winners will also be profiled on the Sociology Department website and social media.

Applying to Grad School Workshop - Nov 3rd @ 6PM

Are you thinking about applying to graduate school? Come to the Sociology Department’s Applying to Graduate School Workshop!

Date: Monday, November 3, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Where: via Zoom using the meeting ID: 822 3656 3841 and passcode: 451101

AKD Applications for Fall 2025

Fill out an AKD Membership Application (PDF) and return it to the Sociology Department (Santa Susana 321). Along with the application, attach a one-time initiation fee of $60 (and an optional $15 for the Honor Cord). Check or Money Order should be made payable to: Alpha Kappa Delta. Please place both the application and the check or money order inside a sealed envelope and write “AKD” on the envelope. Once you become a member, you are a member for life. You will be notified of your acceptance via e-mail within 2 weeks of turning in your application.

Fall 2025 Application deadline: Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Immigration Information & Services Resource Hub

We are committed to ensuring that every CSUN community member, regardless of immigration status, has the opportunity to thrive academically, personally and professionally. This website highlights critical information and immigration resources.

Please visit the Immigration Information & Services Resource Hub to learn more and find resources that include the following:

Know Your Rights (Red Cards)

DREAM Center (located in the USU)