You are also strongly encouraged to speak with department faculty and graduate students who share your research interests; through these conversations, you may unearth previously-unknown opportunities!
Individual Research Project
If you have an area of interest in sociology that you want to explore in depth and for which no class is offered, you may wish to enroll in SOC 497, or an Individual Research Project. In SOC 497, you will work closely with a profession in the department who will guide you through your chosen topic of study, and teach you the skills required for conducting professional research projects.
Undergraduates who are interested are also strongly encouraged to contact graduate students who are studying related topics for additional guidance. SOC 497 can be taken for a maximum of 6 credits, and requires a prerequisite of 19 sociology course credits and approval of the department.
Students who wish to complete readings on a special topic and receive credits for their work should enroll in SOC 496. Similar to preparing for SOC 497, undergraduates are strongly encouraged to contact graduate students who are studying their topics of interest, and should anticipate learning how to critique academic journals and navigate graduate-level coursework. SOC 496 may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits, and requires a prerequisite of 19 sociology course credits and approval of the department.
Internships and On-Campus Research
Students also have the opportunity to receive internship credit for either volunteer or paid work by enrolling in SOC 498. This course may be taken for a maximum of 3 credits, and requires a prerequisite of 19 sociology courses and approval of the department.
To seek internship opportunities, or even research opportunities that are available in the Department of Sociology, undergraduates are strongly encouraged to speak with graduate students and faculty members who are conducting research in their chosen topics of interest. The College of Social Science also has a number of scholarships, awards, and funded research opportunities available at the links below.
View Research Opportunities at Venture
Scholarships in the College of Social Science
Experiential Learning in the College of Social Science
Undergraduate Research at MSU
Leadership and Awards