Internships in Sociology
Earn Academic Credit and Experience
Sociology majors and minors have the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience in the community through SOCI 498: Internship in Sociology (1-4 credit hours). Internships help students connect classroom learning to real-world issues such as social justice, health and human services, advocacy, criminal justice, education, and more.
About the Course
Through this course, students serve as participant-observers within organizations that address sociological topics of interest. Interns not only gain valuable work experience but also analyze their fieldwork sociologically through qualitative research methods such as observation, interviewing, and fieldnote analysis.
Course Details
- Course:
- Credits: 1-4 (must be taken for 3-4 credits to count toward the Sociology major or minor; otherwise, credits only apply toward the 120 required for graduation)
- Eligibility: Junior or senior Sociology majors and minors
- Prerequisites: SOCI 101 or SOCI 201 and permission of the instructor
- Time Commitment: Up to 12 hours per week (approximately 150 total hours for 4 credits)
- Requirements: Field notes, periodic meetings with the instructor, and a final paper analyzing one’s field experience
- Repeatability: May be repeated once under a different community organization for a maximum of 8 credits (only 4 credits may count toward the Sociology major, but additional credits apply toward the 120 required for graduation)
Where Students Have Interned
In recent years, SU Sociology students have interned with organizations such as:
- The City of Salisbury
- Habitat for Humanity – Wicomico County
- Hope and Life Outreach (HALO) Ministry
- Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN)
- Ocean City Police Department
- Parole and Probation – Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties
- Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children
- WMDT TV News
Explore Organizations and Agencies
View the 2025-2026 Sociology Internship Directory for a list of local and regional organizations that have hosted or expressed interest in hosting SU Sociology interns. The directory includes details on agency focus areas, locations, and contact information.
Get Started
Students are encouraged to choose sites that align with their personal and career goals, such as social services, community outreach, public health, criminal justice, etc. To learn more about eligibility, requirements, and how to receive course credit, contact Dr. Timothy Dunn.