Sociological knowledge helps students to understand how social structures and processes shape social life and how sociological analysis and empirical research are used as tools of understanding. <br><br>Students in the graduate program acquire a general foundation in sociology, and some elect to complete a concentration in criminology. Other special interests may be pursued in particular substantive, applied, or cognate courses and extended in the writing of a thesis or completion of an internship.<br><br>The sociology master's program at UNC Greensboro has been ranked among the top 45 in the nation (no. 38) and the best such program with a criminology focus by Intelligent.com.<br>The faculty is comprised of leading experts in areas such as global studies, cultural sociology, intersectionality, feminist criminology, African American/Black criminology, peacemaking criminology, and crimes of the powerful.<br>UNCG's sociology faculty received a #1 ranking in books published among institutional peers, according to Academic Analytics.<br>The program prepares students for further study in particular at the Ph.D. level, for research and administrative positions in public or private organizations, and for teaching sociology in a variety of settings.