Sociology Major: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Program Type: Undergraduate

Degree Awarded: B.S. in Sociology _{Select the degree to view its requirements and four-year plan.}

Department: Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy

We provide undergraduate students with the conceptual and applied skills to understand society and how social interactions and human activities are organized and structured. We mentor students to think of college as a time for engaging in experiences and developing skills that position them for success in an ever-changing labor market of career possibilities. Students may choose to enter six broad career areas: nonprofit, government, business, education/continuing education, graduate school, and self-employment. We offer students opportunities to do co-ops and internships, engage in summer service on Native American reservations in South Dakota, engage in class projects that address social issues, participate in research studies, and publish articles and essays collaboratively with faculty.

Program Contacts

Dr. Yaw A. Frimpong-Mansoh
Department Chair
859-572-5887
frimpongma1@nku.edu

Students in the Spotlight

Siriruay "Ploy" Methakitwarun

Graduating Year: 2020

Education: Sociology Major; Minor in International Studies and Social Justice Studies.

Career: PhD. Student in Sociology

Ploy is currently pursuing a PhD. degree in Sociology at Florida State University, with a focus on immigration adaptation and social demography. After finishing her B.S. Sociology degree at NKU, Ploy went on to complete a Masters’ degree in Sociology degree at Florida State University, with the Thesis: “Immigrant generation, home leaving, and parent-child relationships.” She has served as the Listserv coordinator for the Population section of the American Sociological Association (2021-2023).

Ploy wowed everyone with her original research throughout her undergraduate years at NKU. She presented at both regional and state conferences. Her paper, “Leaving the Nest: Does Parental Closeness Matter to Immigrant Generations,” was awarded 1st place in the undergraduate division of the 2020 Jules Delambre Student Paper Contest sponsored by the Anthropologists & Sociologists of Kentucky. Ploy was a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, the Sociology Honor society and served as the Sociology Club’s president for two years. Beyond earning the department’s Outstanding Graduating Senior in Sociology award, Ploy also earned the Southern Demographic Association’s Outstanding Student Paper Award. She also spent the summer of 2019 participating in the Research Experience for Undergraduates [REU] in Race, Ethnicity and Family Demography at the Population Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin.

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Find Your Passions & Build Your Future

Vintage black and white photo of students on NKU's campus

Co-curricular Opportunities: We offer various opportunities for you to actively engage with faculty and your fellow students through our vibrant SAPiens Student Society, National Sociology Honor Society, the Native American Student Organization and Kiksuya.
Internships: Our students have numerous internship opportunities in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area including opportunities with the Cincinnati the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, The Mourning the Creation of Racial Categories (MCRC) Project, The Hamilton County Juvenile Court, Ohio Innocence Project, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, and local law firms and through our Future Leaders Internship Program (FLIP).
Career Explorations: Our students explore careers in and out of the classroom. You’ll do everything from hearing from working professionals in various careers to participating in experiential learning through the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, where you decide which local social justice nonprofits receive funding and connect what you are learning in the classroom with what is occurring in the community. Our innovative, interdisciplinary courses, such as SOC 355: Sociology of the Environment, SOC 360: Technology and Social Change, and SOC 371: Environment, Society, and Public Health, may provide you with a glimpse into various careers in anthropology. Or you might be interested in one of the study abroad programs in our department (e.g. Belize, Thailand, Ireland, Kenya, and Fiji) to learn and experience other cultures, and expand your cultural competency.

Keep exploring. Visit the department website.