North Park University: Christian - Urban

Why Study Sociology?

Sociology examines how humans behave and relate to each other in a range of social institutions, from individual households to different cultures to entire societies. This area of study will help you understand the social dynamics of different groups, and specialists can ultimately have an impact in developing more effective social policy. Sociology majors have a wide array of career options, including counseling, education, law, ministry, community development, social work, and more.

Why North Park?

Combine theory with practical experience in this major at North Park University. Your professors will emphasize research and analysis with an awareness of how human differences play a role in society. Chicago’s numerous institutions and broad diversity provide an urban laboratory for studying human social behavior, giving students who want to understand and influence the real world the opportunity to engage in applied sociology.

Careers and Graduate Schools

Students have pursued careers in counseling, social work, law, sociology, media studies, ministry, public policy, community development, ESL instruction, and more, as well as graduate studies at New York University, Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, University of Illinois, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, and others.

Where Alumni Work

Sociology majors have worked at the Chicago Housing Authority, the Field Museum, Rotary International, New York University, AmeriCorps, Evangelical Child and Family Services, Casa Central, Percy L. Julian High School, Global Ministries, Nashville Peace and Justice Center, Albany Park Community Center, and more.

Alumni Profile

ESL instructor Sharon Hughes C'10 connects her creativity in the classroom and interest in sharing the stories of her students to the sociology coursework she completed at North Park.

Learn more about Sharon's experience.

Meet the Faculty

Four decades ago, Frank Steinhart joined North Park in search of a classic liberal arts environment. He’s still here—teaching sociology and preparing students for graduate school in sociology, social work, and ministry, or jobs in human relations fields.

Learn more about Dr. Steinhart and the sociology faculty.

Practicum In Sociology

Students in this hands-on class use qualitative research methods to develop service-learning projects in Chicago institutions. In one recent project, students created a reading program to promote literacy in an elementary school and presented their results at a prominent conference.

Interesting Classes

Our sociology classes provide frameworks for understanding groups in Chicago and around the world. Some courses that focus on the international arena include: Modernizing China and Japan, Globalization: Transforming Economy and Culture, Introduction to Africana Studies, and Mexican History and Culture.

Explore the courses and curriculum for a sociology major.

Next Steps

Program Requirements