Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The sociology major at Dartmouth introduces core areas of sociological inquiry and trains students in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Early courses typically cover sociological theory, foundations of social research and statistical techniques for analysing social data. Core topics available across the curriculum include social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, family, organisations, education, crime and urban processes.

As you progress you will take intermediate and advanced modules in research design, multivariate statistics, ethnographic methods, comparative social systems and specialised seminars examining contemporary social problems. The programme emphasises applied research: students learn to formulate research questions, collect and analyse data, and present results in written and oral form. Many students complete a substantial independent project or senior thesis under faculty supervision that integrates theoretical framing with empirical analysis.

Typical course types

• Introductory sociology and sociological theory
• Research methods and statistics for social research
• Qualitative methods such as ethnography and interviewing
• Topical seminars on inequality, race, gender, family and organisations
• Advanced electives and an independent research project or senior thesis

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth College is competitive and based on a holistic review of academic record and extracurricular achievement. For prospective sociology majors, strong preparation in the humanities and social sciences is important, and familiarity with basic mathematics or statistics is beneficial. Typical supporting elements include a high school diploma or equivalent, strong grades across a rigorous course load, and teacher or counsellor recommendations.

Applicants are expected to submit the college’s standard application materials. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency as required by the College. While subject-specific prior study in sociology is not mandatory, readiness to engage with quantitative and qualitative methods will help you succeed in the major.

Career prospects

A Dartmouth sociology degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers that require analytical thinking about social systems and strong research skills. Common career paths include social research and data analysis, public policy and government service, non-profit and community organisations, education and youth services, human resources and organisational development, and roles in public health or criminal justice.

Graduates also frequently go on to postgraduate study in sociology, public policy, social work, law, business and related fields. The programme’s emphasis on research methods makes alumni competitive for positions that involve survey analysis, programme evaluation, policy research and applied social science roles.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth’s commitment to undergraduate education means sociology majors benefit from small class sizes, regular interaction with faculty and abundant opportunities for mentored research. The College’s liberal arts environment supports interdisciplinary study, allowing students to combine sociology with economics, government, public policy, anthropology, statistics or health-related fields.

Students can take advantage of on-campus research centres and institutes, internship and practicum placements in the region and nationally, and a residential campus that fosters close peer collaboration. Dartmouth’s alumni network and career services also provide support for internships, job placement and postgraduate study, helping sociology graduates apply their training across the public, private and non-profit sectors.