Department of Sociology
Welcome to the Sociology department...
....a vibrant community of students and faculty who are at the forefront of the discipline. Sociologists study the world around us to uncover how society works. Our dedicated, highly qualified faculty engage with students in and outside of the classroom. Students learn how to do sociology not only through their formal coursework but also by working alongside faculty on cutting-edge sociological research. These opportunities provide our students with the specialized skills needed to successfully compete in today’s labor market.
FEATURED
What can you do with a Sociology degree?
A sociology degree serves as an excellent springboard for a variety of careers in many diverse fields.
News and Stories
BGSU Researcher Featured on 'The Oprah Podcast'
BGSU researcher Susan L. Brown, Ph.D., was featured as a guest on ‘The Oprah Podcast’ regarding her expertise on gray divorce. A renowned researcher, she was invited to the show to share her research on the rise in divorce rates among those 50 and older. Read more here.
Giordano receives
Lifetime Achievement Award
Peggy Giordano is this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Division of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology at the American Society of Criminology. The award committee chair noted that Peggy's record stands out for her remarkable achievements and continuing high-quality contributions to the field.
Center for Aging Families established
The Center for Aging Families has been funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA/NIH) P30 center grant award. This six-year, $4.2 million project unites scholars from Ohio State, Purdue, and Bowling Green State universities to advance demographic and economic research on aging and families. The Center is co-directed by the four PIs of the grant award: Susan Brown (BGSU), Rin Reczek and Sarah Hayford (Ohio State), and Hui Liu (Purdue).
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Sociology Studies are expected to be able to:
- Apply a sociological perspective, built upon an understanding of basic sociological constructs and theories, to various areas of social life;
- Explicate the diverse ways in which sociologists gather, interpret, and evaluate data;
- Articulate sociologically informed opinions and arguments concerning social and behavioral phenomena, and critically read and understand sociological argument;
- Describe the similarities and dissimilarities of behaviors, attitudes, values, beliefs, and opinions across populations and subpopulations.
Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2022 - 2023. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. The Sociology program is currently undergoing Program/Cluster Review.
Professional Licensure (If applicable)
Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.
Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Sociology program does not lead to professional licensure.
Gainful Employment (If applicable)
Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
The Sociology program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.
Updated: 11/05/2025 02:00PM