Sociology Department Home

The Department of Sociology at Mount St. Mary’s College leads students on an examination of human behavior in many contexts, from the family, community, the workplace and in film, to regional, national, and global arenas.

The department’s variety of degree programs and areas of specialization challenge students to take on active and meaningful roles in their communities, from working at government agencies and non-profit organizations to producing documentary films to help bring about social change. Sociology coursework also provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in public health, social work, public and urban policy, sociology, criminology, gerontology, epidemiology, global studies, and the law.

The department is proud to introduce two new majors beginning in Fall 2004 in Social Work and in Documentary Film and Social Justice. The department also continues to offer the inter-disciplinary Gerontology program.

Information: Dr. Sande Harte, Department Chair, at (310) 954-4365.

Degree Programs & Specializations

The Sociology major prepares students for a variety of professional careers, from government offices to the entertainment industry. Sociology also provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in areas such as public health, social work, public and urban policy, social science research, epidemiology, global studies, and the law. At the bachelor's level, there are seven specialization options in Sociology. The department also offers a minor in sociology.

The Social Work major beginning in Fall 2004 prepares students for entry-level positions in social work as well as for graduate studies in social work. The social work profession directly serves the needs of traditionally underrepresented groups in society.

The Film and Social Justice major beginning in Fall 2004 prepares students to creatively address issues of social justice in our time and promote social change through the universal medium of film.

The department also offers an Associate in Arts Degree in Health and Human Services at our Doheny Campus in Los Angeles. This program helps prepare students for entry-level work in youth services, gerontology, criminology, or health services. Most students earn this degree as preparation for bachelor's level studies in the social and behavioral sciences at our Chalon Campus in West Los Angeles.

The Gerontology major, an inter-disciplinary program, is affiliated with the Sociology Department. See course offerings in Gerontology. Online Gerontology courses are now available to Mount students. The courses are listed under "GER" every semester in the Schedule of Courses. Some of these courses are cross-listed in Sociology.