Our purpose within the NAU community

Mission & Vision

In accordance with NAU's Mission Statement, our department strives daily to support our students with the challenging academic rigor our students have come to expect.

Mission

To cultivate multiple ways of understanding society in order to create purposeful futures for our students in an ever-evolving employment market by application of sociological knowledge gained through collaborative education, community engagement, and experiential learning; developing transferable skills such as research, professional writing, effective communication, inclusivity, and leadership.

Vision

We envision our students having a transformative impact on society by leading change in their communities through knowledge of social forces and a humanistic worldview.

Goals for our undergraduate program

Sociology is an academic program in the liberal arts tradition that emphasizes the development of essential skills (such as writing, communication, analysis, and research) in the context of in-depth study of human social behavior and the dynamics of human societies. A bachelor's degree in Sociology provides you with the flexibility to focus on special areas of interest, and internships are available to add to your interests in a variety of settings.

Goals for our graduate program

Our graduate program prepares students for professional practice in human service agencies and applied research settings as well as for further academic study in sociology and related fields. A committee of three faculty members guides and oversees your program of study as you progress toward completing your degree. This degree is approved by the Western Regional Graduate Program. For more information on NAU's higher arching mission, vision, and goals, we invite you to visit the Office of the President's website.