Department of Sociology, Northern Arizona University

The Department of Sociology at Northern Arizona University provides students with the critical tools to understand human social behavior, institutions, and cultural systems. Our programs emphasize the importance of analyzing how identities are formed, how social interactions shape attitudes and behaviors, and how larger institutions and structures influence beliefs, perceptions, and life chances. Through our curriculum, students engage with complex topics such as race, social class, gender, sexuality, religion, health, environment, government, and social change. We challenge students to think critically about the boundaries between personal agency and structural constraint.

The Department of Sociology fosters rigorous academic inquiry and applied learning, preparing students for a wide range of careers in research, education, social services, marketing, public policy, and beyond. Graduates of our programs have gone on to serve in roles at colleges and universities, government agencies like FEMA, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions. Whether pursuing graduate studies in sociology or professional programs in medicine, law, or public health, our students leave equipped to make meaningful contributions to their communities and broader society. If you are passionate about understanding human relationships and shaping a more just world, the Department of Sociology at NAU offers a strong foundation for your journey.