Is Sociology a STEM Major?

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics form a cluster of subject areas collectively referred to by the STEM acronym. STEM degrees share many methodologies and will require some overlapping skill sets.

Sociology is not traditionally considered a STEM degree, but there is no precise line between STEM and non-STEM fields. Sociology is a rich field of study that utilizes various methods and can be characterized in multiple ways. Learn more about sociology degrees and their relationship to the natural sciences.

What Is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of society. The social sciences seek to understand the many layers of interactions between individuals and the collective contexts they shape and are shaped by. Sociology takes a broad perspective on historical, cultural, economic, political, and biological factors influencing human life.

A bachelor's degree in sociology will introduce students to interdisciplinary research, behavioral science, and the philosophical underpinnings of the humanities. Sociology majors can use electives to create a custom degree that reflects their skills and interests.

What Is a STEM Major?

A STEM major is a college degree that focuses on a STEM subject. STEM education typically incorporates the scientific method and analytical problem-solving.

Common STEM majors include:

• computer science
• neuroscience
• information technology
• robotics
• aeronautics
• mechanical engineering
• health sciences

While some topics are clearly STEM disciplines, other fields are more ambiguous. ''Science'' is a broad term that can be extended to include many topics like political science, economics, information science, behavioral science, and the social sciences.

STEM is a loosely defined concept intended to group disciplines based on broad similarities in their methods. STEM fields typically require more mathematics, data analysis, and methods than the physical sciences.

Misconceptions About STEM Majors

There is a misconception that STEM fields are objective and humanities fields are subjective; however, this is inaccurate. STEM fields and other fields can use rigorous methods and develop critical thinking skills. There is no universal ranking system to compare fields of study.

Even the hard sciences are sociological enterprises influenced by human behavior and cultural values. Sociologists contribute to the impact of the natural sciences by analyzing the role of scientists and social systems in the production of scientific knowledge.

Is Sociology Considered a STEM Major?

Sociology is not a traditional STEM discipline, though arguments can be made for its inclusion or exclusion. STEM programs can be characterized by their methods, required classes, and the career opportunities they provide after graduation.

It is important to remember that the value of a sociology degree does not depend on its status as a STEM discipline. There are plenty of non-STEM degree programs that provide excellent training and can lead to long-term career success. Sociology degrees come in many types and can emphasize different methods and areas of study.

The STEM classification is most useful when considering the interests and motivations of different students. For example, mathematicians and scientists will likely have varied interests and require different types of training than entrepreneurs or artists.

Arguments for Sociology To Be Considered a STEM Major

While sociology is not traditionally included in the STEM disciplines, there are several reasons it could be considered part of the category. Sociology is an applied science with a long history of methodological development and empirical research.

Sociology is a broad field that enables students with many different skills and perspectives to contribute. Students interested in more technical methods and analyses can bring those skills into sociology.

Here are some reasons why sociology could be considered a STEM major.

Use of Empirical Research

Sociologists collect many different types of data and perform a wide range of analyses. Students who enjoy math and statistics can specialize in more quantitative areas of sociology. Many novel insights into society are generated by data analysis and mathematical modeling.

Technology and Society

Every society develops technologies that then influence employment, communication, and leisure. Sociology allows students to study the complex loops of technology creation, adoption, and evolution.

For example, 21st-century American society is heavily influenced by digital technologies that underpin social media and the digital economy. Sociologists can perform in-depth studies on the development of these platforms and help direct the course of our future.

Sociological analysis of technology can be a rich field of study for students who enjoy the humanities and the natural sciences. A degree in sociology can provide a fresh perspective on insulated domains such as computer science or data analysis.

Health and Well-Being

Public health and the healthcare system are also sociological phenomena. Sociologists will study and review public policy, help create interventions, and understand the causes of public health issues such as substance abuse, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.

The development of new medicines and healthcare technologies are usually considered the domain of STEM, but they also have major sociological implications. Healthcare systems must be understood as sociological systems that reflect the values of a given society.

Typically, health science careers are considered STEM jobs, and a sociology degree can position students to enter these fields. If a sociology degree can lead to STEM careers, then an argument can be made that it is a STEM degree.

Arguments Against Sociology Being a STEM Major

The majority of sociologists likely would not classify their discipline as a part of STEM. While STEM is an important cluster of subjects, there is no need for every discipline to consider itself a STEM field.

The desire to be included in STEM may be based on the misconception that STEM fields are more rigorous or objective, and most sociologists would reject this framing. Here are some reasons sociology should not be classified as a STEM major.

Theoretical Approach

All academic disciplines have theories that act as guiding frameworks for the field. Theories help structure research methods and influence the types of studies conducted.

STEM fields often have greater consensus on their theoretical foundations due to a stronger emphasis on empirical results. Sociology can be approached from multiple theoretical frameworks, and there may be no clear way to compare them.

Methodological Differences

The STEM fields are united by their emphasis on the scientific method and mathematical analyses. While there are many quantitative areas of sociology, the field emphasizes many qualitative approaches such as ethnography, participant observation, and literary criticism.

Qualitative methodologies typically focus on the reflexive positive of the researcher and will have standards and criteria different from the quantitative methods employed in STEM fields.

Professional Orientation

Another way to classify degrees is by their career paths. Sociology students often attend graduate school and develop expertise in a specific area, which can be taught at a high school or university level. Public policy is another common career path for sociology graduates.

By contrast, STEM students are more likely to look for industry jobs in fields such as engineering, medical science, or technology. Students who aspire to work in STEM fields will not be best served by enrolling in a sociology program. Sociology degrees typically contain less math and science training than STEM job candidates would be expected to have.