Best Sociology Programs in Nebraska for 2027

Nebraska–Lincoln asks every sociology major to finish with real research: a capstone (SOCI 489), an undergraduate thesis (SOCI 499) or an honors thesis (SOCI 499H). Before that you take introductory sociology or social problems, SOCI 205 on social research methods, SOCI 206 on social statistics and SOCI 355 on sociological theory, then 18 more credits of sociology. You can stay broad or build toward crime and deviance, family, health, social inequality or social research. The department strongly encourages internships and research experiences, and the degree can be a BA or a BS. Fourteen degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Core Courses

Introductory sociology or social problems, research methods, social statistics and sociological theory

Research Requirement

Capstone, undergraduate thesis or honors thesis

Specialty Interests

Crime and deviance, family, health, social inequality or social research

Program Sources: Sociology < University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Kearney’s sociology BS carries 33 credits of major courses: introductory sociology, Sociological Inquiry, theory, a sociological research course and a senior seminar. You then choose between social inequality and anthropology, and between global cultures and social psychology, before adding 12 credits of upper-level sociology electives. The BS also requires a statistics course and a minor or second major, so you finish with a second area of study alongside sociology. Thirteen degrees were awarded in 2023–24, which places the program second on the Nebraska page.

Required Courses

SOC 100, SOC 237 Sociological Inquiry, SOC 300 theory, SOC 370 research and SOC 468 Senior Seminar

Choice Requirements

Social inequality or anthropology, and global cultures or social psychology

Minor or Second Major

24 credits

Program Sources: Sociology, Bachelor of Science < University of Nebraska at Kearney

Omaha’s sociology BA pairs the discipline with anthropology from the start: introductory sociology and introductory anthropology are both required, followed by theory, social statistics with a lab, research methods with a lab and a senior thesis. The last 12 hours are yours to shape. Take one upper-level anthropology course plus three upper-level sociology courses, or commit to a concentration in anthropology, families and inequality, health and society, inequality and social justice, or work and organizations. A BS version swaps in 15 hours of cognate courses outside sociology. The program awarded 19 degrees in 2023–24.

Required Coursework

Introductory sociology and anthropology, theory, statistics and methods with labs, and a senior thesis

Concentrations

Anthropology, families and inequality, health and society, inequality and social justice, work and organizations

BS Cognate

15 hours in a field outside sociology

Program Sources: Sociology, Bachelor of Arts < University of Nebraska Omaha

Creighton’s sociology BS totals 37 credits and starts with Introduction to Sociology: Self and Society, then four foundations: social and cultural theory, research design, a four-credit statistics course and social inequality and stratification. The other 21 credits come from a long menu that includes theories of crime and deviance, victim advocacy, global health, food and society, law and society and a GIS mapping course. Along the way you analyze interviews, public records, news articles and surveys. Creighton awarded 2 degrees in this field in 2023–24, so expect a very small group of majors.

Foundation Courses

Theory, research design, statistics and social inequality and stratification

Electives

21 credits from topics such as crime, health, environment, food, gender and GIS

Data Sources

Interviews, public records, news articles and surveys

Program Sources: Sociology Major | Creighton UniversitySociology B.S., Major in Sociology Requirements | Creighton University Catalog

Wayne State asks sociology majors for 36 credit hours, and the structure is built around choices: one foundations course, one on race and social inequality, and one on social issues and welfare such as deviance or health and human populations. Everyone also takes social theory, social science research methods, statistics and a zero-credit assessment seminar that combines a comprehensive exam with a senior portfolio. Twelve credits of electives, nine of them upper-level, finish the major. Recent interns worked at North Star Services and Twelve Clans Unity Hospital. The program awarded 2 degrees in 2023–24.

Major Size

36 credit hours, as a B.A. or B.S.

Assessment Seminar

Comprehensive sociology exam and senior portfolio

Research Training

Social Sciences Research Methods and Statistics for the Social Sciences

Program Sources: Sociology Degree - Wayne State College Nebraska

Every Doane sociology major completes an independent research project, and the department gives students resources to present that work at state, regional and national conferences. Coursework ranges across race and nationality, marriage and family relations, deviance, juvenile delinquency, social research methods, cultural anthropology and criminal law and procedure. Service-learning is a base of the program, and faculty help you line up internships and pre-professional experience. The Psych/Soc Club adds a student-led community for graduate school and career preparation. The school reports that every sociology student who applied to graduate programs in the last ten years was accepted. Three degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Research Project

Independent research completed by every major

Course Topics

Race and nationality, deviance, juvenile delinquency, research methods and criminal law

Student Organization

Psych/Soc Club

Program Sources: Sociology | Doane University

Hastings schedules its classes in blocks, so a sociology major takes just one or two courses at a time and works closely with faculty. The curriculum covers sociological theory, research methodology and data interpretation, with classes on peace, justice and social change. As a senior you conduct your own research project on a topic you pick. Majors have interned and done research for groups near campus, including the Village of Harvard, Nebraska, Mary Lanning Healthcare and law enforcement agencies. Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociological honor society, is among the campus activities. Three degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Senior Project

Your own sociological research project on a topic you select

Class Format

Block-style semesters with one or two classes at a time

Local Placements

Village of Harvard, Mary Lanning Healthcare and law enforcement agencies

Program Sources: Sociology - Hastings College

Midland’s sociology major is a Bachelor of Arts aimed at the helping and research professions, from government agencies and nonprofits to demography and social science research. Internships build job-relevant skills, and you can take on research projects that are presented at local and regional sociology conferences. The learning outcomes ask you to apply the scientific method: build on existing empirical literature, devise a research plan and interpret the results. Careers the department lists include probation officer, policy analyst, survey researcher and urban planner. Midland awarded 4 degrees in 2023–24.

Research Outcome

Apply the scientific method, devise a research plan and interpret results

Conference Opportunities

Local and regional sociology conferences

Internships

Job-relevant skills and field experience

Program Sources: Sociology - Midland University

Nebraska’s sociology PhD gathers its faculty strengths into three research areas: family and the life course, inequality by race, class, gender and sexuality, and physical and mental health. You work with faculty in the classroom and on individual projects, with survey research and statistics training, major data sets and ties to the Bureau of Sociological Research. Outside specializations are available in environmental studies, ethnic studies, and women’s and gender studies. Applications need a letter of intent and a writing sample, and the deadline for fall is January 3. The university carries the Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production designation, and 6 sociology doctorates were awarded in 2023–24.

Research Areas

Family and the life course, inequality, and physical and mental health

Outside Specializations

Environmental studies, ethnic studies, and women’s and gender studies

Application Materials

Letter of intent, writing sample and three letters of recommendation

Program Sources: Sociology (PhD) < University of Nebraska–Lincoln