Engaging today's world, producing tomorrow's leaders since 1973.

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  • Sociology Faculty Group Photo

    Welcome to the Department of Sociology

    The Department of Sociology at FSU is home to over 20 dedicated faculty members who explore a wide range of topics—from population trends, health, and aging to family dynamics, education, the workplace, and positive social change.

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  • Alt text for 2026-27 COSSPP Masters Program - Flyer – M.S. in Data and Society FSU Department of Sociology College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Logo M.S. in Data and Society A one-year program that prepares students to collect, analyze, and interpret data for social, ethical, and policy sectors of society. FSU’s Department of Sociology is ranked the 3rd best in the Southeast, and 32nd best sociology graduate program among public universities nationally. Gain a well-rounded education through an interdisciplinary curriculum spanning sociology, economics, urban planning, political science, and geographic information systems. Prepare for careers in research, government, nonprofits, and the private sector. Complete your master's degree in just three terms: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Figure 1: Lecturer talks to students, speaking from lecturn Figure 2: Dr. Dawn Carr works with two graduate students. They’re reviewing work on a laptop in the department’s conference room and smiling. 34 Graduate Credit Hours: Required Core Coursework (28 hours) o Intro to Qualitative Research Methods o Computational Tools for Social Science Research o Data and Society o Media and Society o Independent Research o Geographic Information Systems o Capstone course o Intro to Quantitative Research Methods o Multivariate Analysis Elective courses (6 hours) Choose from a wide selection of courses Participating departments: Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, and Urban and Regional Planning Deadline Fall: July 1 • No GRE required • 3 recommendation letters • Resume • Official transcripts • International applicants: check requirements at bit.ly/FSU-intl-admit Questions? kmcclellan@fsu.edu Apply Now: bit.ly/MS-data-society

    Apply for Our New Master's Program in Data and Society

    Apply by July 1 for our new Master's in Data and Society! This one-year program prepares students to collect, analyze, and interpret data for social, ethical, and policy sectors of society.

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  • 2025 COSSPP Researcher Helps Unveil Tool

    COSSPP Professor Helps Unveil Tool to Measure Healthy Aging

    An FSU COSSPP researcher is part of a pioneering team that has developed a new measure to understand and support healthy aging, with the potential to change how health care workers, employers, and policymakers assist older adults in remaining active and engaged.

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  • COSSPP Alumni Spotlight Charles Parkins B.S.. Sociology '10 Charles Parkins – an FSU graduate (B.S. Sociology ‘10) – was recently appointed as the division director of juvenile services for the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile DetentionExternal Link (DAJD) in Seattle.

    Alumni Spotlight: Charles Parkins

    Charles Parkins – an FSU graduate (B.S. Sociology ‘10) – was recently appointed as the division director of juvenile services for the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile DetentionExternal Link (DAJD) in Seattle.

  • Engage The Future is #MadeinBellamy

    Read Engage Magazine online now!

    Engage is the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s annual magazine celebrating the impact of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The 2024–2025 edition highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership — from student organizations and research breakthroughs to alumni achievements and new initiatives shaping communities in Florida and beyond.

  • FSU Sociology professor Dawn Carr working on a laptop with Sociology students and staff

    Learn more about our accredited Graduate Programs!

    Among public universities, we are ranked the 32nd best sociology graduate program in the nation and the 3rd best in the 12 states that make up the Southern United States (U.S. News). Among 106 public and private sociology programs across the nation, we rank among the top 20% with regard to the number of publications and grants per faculty member (The National Research Council).

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  • FSU Sociology instructor working with a female student on a white board

    Learn more about our Undergraduate Program!

    Our undergraduate program is built around five major areas: Social Organization; Personality and Society; Population and Human Ecology; Social Stratification; and the Family.

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Enriched Studies | Accomplished Alumni | Rigorous Graduate Program

Our faculty and students are engaged in fascinating studies of the social issues that define our times. We are also committed to sharing sociology with non-academic audiences, because our discipline provides unique insights that can improve policy responses and inform collective action. We invite you to read more about our department’s history, current research, opportunities for enriched studies, accomplished alumni, and rigorous graduate program.

—Kathi Tillman, Department Chair

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Our Programs and Resources

Undergraduate Program

Our undergraduate program is built around five major areas: Social Organization; Personality and Society; Population and Human Ecology; Social Issues and Change; and the Family.

Graduate Program

Among public universities, we are ranked the 32nd best sociology graduate program in the nation and the 3rd best in the 12 states that make up the Southern United States.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Florida State University provides high-achieving students an engaging community with the flexibility and funding opportunities to explore their full range of interests.

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Awards Program

The Sociology Department is committed to recognizing outstanding undergraduate and graduate students.

Giving Back to Sociology

Contributions from alumni and friends of the Department of Sociology provide the means to support our teaching and research mission.

Sociology Newsletter

Stay informed about the latest news, events, and research in the field by signing up for our sociology newsletter.

Department of Sociology News

Alumni Spotlight- Madeleine Traylor, B.S. Sociology '24, B.S. Psychology '24

Alumni Spotlight: Madeleine Traylor

April 17, 2026

Madeleine Traylor – two-time FSU alumna (B.S. Sociology ‘24, B.S. Psychology ‘24) – is pursuing her Ph.D. in Sociology at The Ohio State University, crediting COSSPP faculty for her success. …

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Front steps of the Bellamy Building at COSSPP with students walking across frame

FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Launches New Master’s Program in Data and Society

April 6, 2026

The College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, housed in the Bellamy Building, is set to launch the M.S. in Data and Society, a new one-year graduate program, beginning Fall 2026.  …

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The fireside chat will highlight Dr. Richard Sandor’s latest book, Carbon Hunters: Reflections and Forecasts of Climate Markets in the 21st Century (World Scientific, October 2025), which explores the development and future of global carbon markets. In addition, the fireside chat will explore Dr. Sandor’s work in derivatives and carbon trading before an open session for audience questions. Dr. Sandor is CEO of Environmental Financial Products, which was the incubator to the Chicago Climate Exchange and other financial innovations. He also serves as the Aaron director lecturer in law and economics at the University of Chicago Law School and as an honorary professor at the School of Economics at Fudan University and the University of Hong Kong. He previously taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels at several U.S. universities and lectures widely throughout Europe and Asia. Known worldwide as the “Father of Financial Futures,” he was named a “Hero of the Planet” by Time magazine in 2002 and one of the magazine’s “Heroes of the Environment” in 2007. In October 2013, he was awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) in France, for his accomplishments in environmental finance and carbon trading. Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence Brian and Renee Murphy Forum 3-4 p.m. | Fireside Chat 4-5 p.m. | Book Signing and Reception

Join Us for a Fireside Chat with Dr. Richard Sandor April 9, 2026

March 31, 2026

Please join us on Thursday, April 9, starting at 3 p.m. for a fireside chat and book signing featuring Dr. Richard Sandor, the CEO of Environmental Financial Products and the visionary known globally as the "Father of Financial Futures,” in the Brian Renee Murphy Forum of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business …

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