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Sociology and Anthropology Major in Pennsylvania
If you enjoy working with people and are an adaptive learner interested in culture and improving the lives of others, then a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in sociology and anthropology from Messiah University, one of the top Christian universities in the U.S., might be right for you.
Study Sociology and Anthropology at a Christian University
As a student in the sociology and anthropology degree program at Messiah University, a top-ranked Christian university in the U.S., you will study society in an objective and systematic way, and become an adaptive, flexible, lifelong learner. You’ll gain a broad knowledge of human variations across cultures, class, race and ethnicity, gender, religion and value orientations to understand the dynamics and complexity of human social interaction. This program will help you apply critical thinking skills in your examination of social institutions and issues of conflict, inequality, prejudice, discrimination and deviance.
Because of the major's efficient credit requirement (39 credits), you can also customize your education with double majors in areas like psychology, history, business or even minors in pre-law, Spanish or French. No matter which pathway you choose, you will approach your studies from both a scholarly and real-world perspective, participating in challenging courses, off-campus internships and service opportunities.
As a sociology and anthropology major or minor at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Take challenging courses such as Social Conflict, Race and Gender in the United States; Religion and Society; Urban Sociology; and Social Inequality.
- Study off-campus for a semester in the U.S. or another country such as Thailand, Rwanda, Lithuania and more.
- Customize your education with double majors or minors.
- Gain valuable hands-on experience through internships at nonprofit organizations, government agencies and social service organizations.
- Earn a spot in Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society.
- Do meaningful research working side-by-side with professors for possible presentation at undergraduate research or professional conferences.
- Surround yourself with "people people" that aim to improve life for others, promote social justice and cross cultural boundaries.
As a graduate of the sociology and anthropology degree program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Graduate school student
- Sociologist
- Anthropologist
- Researcher
- Administrator
- Writer/editor
- Church relations coordinator
- Ministry worker
- Lawyer
- Professor
- Counselor
For more information on career planning for the sociology program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of sociologically grounded internships. A few sociology and anthropology internship examples include:
- Human services addressing rural poverty for Good Works ministry
- Refugee legal assistance in the City of Lancaster
- Supporting genocide survivors in Rwanda
- Drama with disabled people in Thailand
- Legislative work at the Pennsylvania State Capitol
- Salvation Army
- Harrisburg Police Department Investigation Unit
- United Way
- YWCA and YMCA
- The Pennsylvania House Fellowship Program
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- Family Promise
Programs related to Sociology and Anthropology
In the Sociology and Anthropology program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Sociology and Anthropology:
Sociology and Anthropology (B.A.)
Sociology and Anthropology careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Sociology and Anthropology program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
MEET ALUMNI FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIOLOGY
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Hands-on study
Through Messiah University’s rich combination of international study, internships, service and academics, you’ll finish your sociology degree with the skills needed to promote social justice, improve the lives of others, develop cultural competency, and engage in social scientific research which will equip you for taking the next steps along your career path. Our program stands out from other Christian institutions because it exceeds the traditional "sociology only" model by including anthropology and the chance to incorporate criminal justice courses. This offers you more global and real-world opportunities. Our program consults national standards held by the American Sociological Association and the American Anthropological Association.