Sociology Program

Sociology at Oklahoma City University introduces students to sociological concepts that enable them to better understand the role of individuals and institutions in society. OCU’s faculty emphasizes the development of critical thinking, writing, and oral communication skills that enable students to become more productive scholars, citizens, and workers. Sociology at OCU provides a solid liberal arts education that prepares students for graduate school or a variety of career paths (e.g., social services, criminal justice, education, and government).

Our department embraces small seminar-type classes with many international students. Our students come from such countries as Taiwan, Sweden, South Korea, and Japan.

As a private university, your education at OCU consists of one-on-one interaction with faculty who have both doctorates and real work experience in their academic fields. Many occasions exist in our department for students to put into practice what they learn through service-learning courses and internships in the community; or through mentoring and tutoring at-risk youth.

Study Abroad trips are also available where you can earn college credit through educational tours to such places as England, Taiwan, or Germany.

Our flexible course formats meet the needs of today's diverse student population. We have On-Line Forensic Courses, eight week courses, weekend courses, and the traditional sixteen week courses.

If you want a college experience characterized by seminar-type classes, one-on-one faculty interaction and courses covering issues the world is facing today then the OCU Department of Sociology is the place for you, for an exciting, challenging education.

Areas of Specialization

The Sociology Department offers students two areas of concentration: (1) Sociology of Culture and (2) Gender & Family. Each concentration has one required course and a list of additional course that the student must select six from. These courses are in addition to the regular requirements for a sociology degree. Courses in the concentrations include:

Sociology of Culture:
Required:Sociology of Culture and Consumption

Course Options Under This Concentration
Sports in America
Sociology of Modern Music: The Role of Rock
Special Topics:
Sociology of Belief
The American Dream
McDonaldization of Society
Youth Culture, Identity and Consumption
Magic and Religion in Society

The Sociology of Culture concentration is unique among Oklahoma universities.

Gender and Family:
Required: The American Family

Course Options Under This Concentration
Domestic Violence
Women, Law and Social Control
Social Stratification
Death and Dying
Special Topics:
Aging and Society
Gender, Race and Class
Sociology of Children

Sociology students can also minor in Criminal Justice or Women’s Studies.

Mission Statement

The mission of Oklahoma City University’s Sociology program is to prepare students to work in a diverse world with sociological understandings of human behavior. Each student’s unique potential is nurtured through faculty mentoring. The faculty provides a solid base for critical thinking, reading, and writing in a curriculum infused with intellectual, spiritual, and moral development.