Sociology is one of those academic disciplines that has been fragmented by a multitude of specialization options. One of the interesting aspects of looking at sociology schools is seeing the many different methods by which college sociology departments subdivide the discipline and what, if any, unique programs they have developed. For example, the University of Iowa has standard undergraduate and graduate programs in sociology. They also have the Center for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies which is developing an interdisciplinary research and teaching program for the study of crime, law, deviance, social control, and mental health.
The University of Connecticut has a small graduate program in sociology in terms of students but a dedicated approach to diversity in academic approaches. The Department of Sociology offers study leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in sociology. Available study areas include: deviance, gender and sexualities, political sociology and social movements, racism/ethnic group relations, social psychology, stratification and inequality. "Members of the department also work closely with Judaic Studies, African Studies, Women’s Studies, the Center for Population Research, Asian American
Studies and the Human Rights Institute." Here is an example of a small school that really asks its graduate students to stretch for every possible perspective into their area of study.
The University of Kansas has a strong baccalaureate program that offers optional areas of focus to its undergraduates including Crime and Delinquency, Social and Cultural Diversity, Social Policy, and Work and Economy. Undergraduates at UK also have an internship opportunity for credit. The purpose of this course is to encourage students to think sociologically about social issues by working as volunteer interns for non-profit community or campus organizations. Their graduate program offers the following areas of specialization to its master's and doctoral candidates:
Comparative and Historical
Cultural Sociology
Medical Sociology
Political and Economic Sociology
Race and Ethnicity
Sex and Gender
Social Movements
Social Theory
As you can see, no two sociology programs are alike. That leaves the potential student with a wealth of options both in academic focus and in the type of college for pursuing those academic goals.
