Breadcrumb
Department of Sociology
Shift the perspective… Find out how you can lead change
The Department of Sociology is home to exciting social science undergraduate and graduate programs with common commitments to social justice in collaboration with communities. Our programs encourage imagination, creativity, and the development of applied research methods. Students, faculty, and alumni engage local, national, and international challenges, and work toward social change through our research and scholar activism.
Degree Programs
Sociology, B.A.
Sociology students at Cal Poly Humboldt find an active and supportive departmental culture that surrounds coursework in sociological theory, methods and current social issues. Department faculty members have a strong commitment to social justice that shapes course offerings and content.
Cannabis Studies, B.A.
With a focus on social and environmental responsibility, the bachelor’s degree program explores the historical, geographical, cultural, economic, and political contexts of cannabis legalization.
Criminology & Justice Studies, B.A.
Criminology & Justice Studies students find an active and supportive departmental culture that surrounds coursework in social theory, methods, inequalities of crime and justice, law, policy, and action.
Public Sociology, M.A.
The master’s program in public sociology focuses on social justice and environmental sustainability, while fostering a network of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who are committed to social change.
Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Program
Earn your B.A and M.A. in just five years (three years for transfer students) with our Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Program.
You can complete either a Sociology B.A. or a Criminology & Justice Studies B.A, then continue on to receive a Public Sociology M.A.
Online Information Sessions
Learn about our BA programs in Cannabis Studies, Criminology and Justice Studies, and Sociology at Cal Poly Humboldt. This 30-minute session is also a great way to meet faculty and ask questions about our programs, including our new combined BA/MA program in Public Sociology. Register for this Zoom call using the link below.
Spring 2026 Session Dates:
All sessions are Wednesdays at 5:00 PM
January 28
February 11
February 25
March 11
March 25
April 8
April 22
April 29
Meeting ID: 861 6837 4495
Password: 503794
Leading Social Change
Our department works to address social justice at the local, regional, and global level. Our goal is to foster a desire and respect for social change amongst our students and our local community, and our programs encourage imagination, creativity, and the development of applied methodological skills.
Real-World Experience
Studying at Humboldt means gaining real-world experience that you wouldn’t get as an undergraduate at many other universities. Hands-on learning experiences are built into your core major coursework and you have the opportunity to work with faculty on their research and projects, or develop your own.
College to Career Transition Support
Students complete a professional development course that helps link skills and interests with career pathways or graduate study. Coupled with comprehensive faculty advising, our students tell us that they leave here with the knowledge and capacity to launch into their chosen career trajectory.
Careers
Here are a few possible career options:
- Attorney
- Community Organizer/Activist
- Conflict Mediator
- Criminalist
- Crisis Response Team Worker
- Domestic Violence Service Provider
- Drug Counselor
- Law Enforcement
- Legal Advocate
- Public Defender
Sociology Alumni
Criminology & Justice Studies Alumni
Achievements
Find out what our students, faculty, and staff are being recognized for.
Josh Meisel
Sociology
Professor Josh Meisel (Sociology) was quoted in a MJ Biz Daily news story about the implications for cannabis research of the Trump administration's recent Executive Order calling for the rescheduling of cannabis to a less restrictive category.
Yaneyry Delfin Martinez
Sociology
Sociology M.A. student Yaneyry Delfin Martinez received an Alpha Kappa Delta Social Justice Award of $1,500, addressing food insecurity among undocumented students with support from Sociology Professor Stefanie Israel de Souza.
Yaneyry Delfin Martinez, Caglar Dolek
Sociology
Sociology M.A. student Yaneyry Delfin Martinez received a McCrone Award for his work: Living in Liminality: Navigating Academic Barriers and Building Support For and By Undocumented Students and Sociology Professor Caglar Dolek received the same award for his work: Police Power and Popular Resistance: Tales from the Margin.