Major Advising Page: Sociology

The Department of Sociology strongly encourages our majors to consider studying abroad! There are few better ways to hone and apply your sociological imagination than by stepping outside your comfort zone and immersing yourself in an unfamiliar place and culture. The study abroad experience provides a chance to challenge yourself and enhance your work in the major with the global perspective that comes with experiencing another culture firsthand.

When sociology majors study abroad, they:

  • develop a comparative perspective on the issues sociology explores, such as demography, the organization of institutions like schools, criminal justice systems, political bodies, and religions, and various axes of social inequality
  • learn to navigate novel situations, improve their ability to listen, learn, and see the world from other perspectives
  • increase their ability to contextualize what they take for granted as “normal” in a global context
  • complement their on-campus study with the perspectives of faculty abroad
  • meet and exchange ideas with students from around the world who are motivated by the same issues and questions they are

On this page

Course considerations

Because the sociology major is quite flexible, you have many study abroad options open to you, and you can integrate a study abroad experience into your undergrad career at almost any time.

UW Guide
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Map your experience as a
sociology student

Freshman year

During the first year, many sociology majors take general education and breadth credit courses. This is actually a great time to study abroad, though it is also understandable that many students want to use this year to integrate themselves into campus life.

Sophomore and junior years

During these two years, most students complete the four foundational courses in sociology: an Intro to Sociology course, Sociological Research Methods, an Intro to Statistics course, and Classical Sociological Theory. We recommend taking most of these courses on campus, particularly the methods course. (And do you really want to spend your study abroad experience taking statistics?) However, we offer these courses every semester during the academic year, and all but Classical Theory are offered every summer, which allows you plenty of opportunity to complete them, no matter the timing or duration of your study abroad experience.

Junior and senior years

Beyond the four foundational courses in the major, sociology majors complete at least four distribution courses from at least two of the seven distribution groups listed in the Guide. The great news for students considering study abroad is that many intermediate and advanced courses offered abroad can be approved for distribution credit, even if they are not precise matches for courses offered at UW–Madison. For example, a course on the juvenile justice system of France (or wherever you might be studying) might not be a direct equivalent for UW–Madison’s U.S.-focused juvenile delinquency course. However, it would certainly count toward credit in the Deviant Behavior & Criminology distribution group. Your transcript would say “Sociology 463: Study Abroad- Deviant Behavior.”

Three students wearing suits are gathered around a sign that reads "UW-Madison Day." Two are seated in terrace chairs while the third stand. All three students are making "W's" with their fingers.
A student sitting at a desk, holding up a notebook with the words “First Day of Class at Yonsei”.
A student making a "W" with their fingers, while standing in the front of the Colosseum.
Photo credit (left to right): Madeline Gonzalez-Diaz (United States), Ashlie Hewett (South Korea), Emma Freed (Italy)
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Ask questions

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  • What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
  • Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
  • How many electives do I have outside of my major?

  • What classes can I take abroad?
  • How and when do I select courses for my program?
  • When will I know course equivalents for my program?
  • What is the class structure like abroad?

  • What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
  • When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
  • How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?

  • Why do I want to study abroad?
  • How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
  • How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
  • What career skills or proficiencies will I strive to acquire or enhance on my program?
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Discover programs that are right for you

The following are programs that may be of interest to you! Durations and courses vary and may count toward electives or degree requirements. If you do not have specific requirements, there’s more flexibility in program type and location.

These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.

Search all programs

In this section

Semester and academic year programs

Argentina

SIT Public Health in Urban Environments

Australia

Czech Republic

CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester and summer)

Denmark

England

France

Germany

Hong Kong

University of Hong Kong

Ireland

IFSA University of Galway (semester and summer)

Italy

CIEE Rome Open Campus (semester and summer)

Jordan

SIT Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action

Nepal

SIT Development, Gender, and Social Change in the Himalaya

Netherlands

University of Amsterdam

New Zealand

Massey University

Singapore

National University of Singapore

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

Switzerland

SIT Global Health and Development Policy (semester and summer)

Türkiye

Bogazici University

United States

UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program (semester and summer)

Wales

Cardiff University

Short-term programs

Czech Republic

CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester and summer)

Denmark

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

England

France

UW Migration, Immigration, and Asylum in France (summer)

Ireland

IFSA University of Galway (semester and summer)

Italy

CIEE Rome Open Campus (semester and summer)

Multiple

CIEE Summer Comparative Public Health Systems [London + Amsterdam] (summer)

Spain

IES Barcelona (semester and summer)

Sweden

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

Switzerland

SIT Global Health and Development Policy (semester and summer)

United States

UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program (semester and summer)

International Internships

International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.

As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.

Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.

Explore internships
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Hear from students in your major

Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.

Student stories

Photo credit: Isabella Richter (Germany)

Six students posing for a selfie at the edge of a large lake.

Want more information?

Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.

Academics overview
Meet with an advisor

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