Applied Worldwide is excited to spotlight the launch of The Sociology Coach, a new website founded by Dr. Stephanie Medley-Rath, Professor of Sociology. The site brings together a range of resources designed to support both students and instructors of sociology, offering clear, accessible materials that are easy to navigate and use.
A key feature of the site is a full Introduction to Sociology e-book, available directly on the platform. Visitors will also find organized teaching materials, sample assignments, reading lists, and links to additional resources that reflect Dr. Medley-Rath’s extensive experience in the sociology classroom.
With its clean design and practical structure, The Sociology Coach serves as a useful hub for anyone preparing to teach or learn introductory sociology, or students exploring career opportunities related to their sociology training. In the conversation that follows, Dr. Medley-Rath shares more about the site and the development of the new e-book.
Learn More About The Sociology Coach
First, can you briefly describe The Sociology Coach for our readers?
The Sociology Coach is a website for students taking introduction to sociology and students who are majoring or minoring in sociology. I have made my Introduction to Sociology textbook freely available on the website. I have also created articles on sociology as a major and careers for sociology majors. I am working on “selling” sociology as a major and step in a viable career for potential students (and other stakeholders).
How and why did The Sociology Coach come to be?
The short answer—I was already learning how to build an effective website in a different niche when my textbook contract fell through. I pivoted and decided to give the book away for free on my website. The book is also for sale at retailers so readers can read in the format they want (as a website, as an ebook, or in print). However, I decided I wanted The Sociology Coach to be more than just an intro to sociology book.
I saw a gap in what is out there to support students majoring in sociology or considering the discipline as a major or a minor. Without more majors or minors we risk losing the discipline. We are already losing the major at a number of colleges and universities. The major shouldn’t just be for students attending elite institutions but should be available to all students as an option.
What is the role you envision for The Sociology Coach within the field of sociology?
I am filling several gaps. First, I have published the only intro book (to my knowledge) that uses the sociological literacy framework (SLF). The SLF is endorsed by the American Sociological Association.
Second, I aim to provide resources for students considering sociology as a major that support that choice. These resources can also be used by faculty in the classroom or when they advise students.
Third, I also have a Facebook page and private group. I encourage departments to follow the page so that they can reshare materials that will support their students—making it a bit easier for departments to run their own Facebook pages. I envision the group as a place to provide additional support to sociology majors. I have big plans for the group once it grows a bit more, like Facebook lives where students can ask me questions about the major, careers, and more.
What can followers expect from The Sociology Coach in 2026 and beyond?
I am working on several resources. On the website, I will be adding articles on graduate school options for sociology students beyond an MA/PhD in sociology. I am writing a guidebook, as well, for sociology majors, which will be available wherever books are sold. Longer term, I plan to add videos for introduction to sociology that instructors can use in their class and students can use to review. I have lots of other ideas (a true academic—lots of ideas without enough time…lol).
What aspect of The Sociology Coach are you most proud of and why?
I did it. I finished my intro to soc textbook. It’s not published the way I expected, but I figured out how to pivot in a way that makes the most sense. I’ve launched this website, too, that will help students and instructors and I’ve figured out a way to provide most of these materials for free.
Where and how can followers engage with the Sociology Coach?
They can visit and share the website and my social media accounts with their colleagues and students. If you follow me on social media, please like (and comment) on the content. More likes helps teach the algorithm to show the content to others, which will help me grow The Sociology Coach and support more features to help you and your students.
If there is anything else you’d like to share with readers about the Sociology Coach, please do so below:
The Sociology Coach is reader-supported. There are a lot of expenses associated with running a website, so the textbook is available for purchase. I’ve priced the textbook about as low as I can go so that I still make some money after the retailers take their cut.
Where to Follow The Sociology Coach
For those interested in connecting with The Sociology Coach, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Sociology Majors are also welcome—and encouraged—to join the private Facebook group, monitored by Dr. Medley-Rath. You can also connect with Dr. Stephanie Medley-Rath on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
Thank you to Dr. Medley-Rath for taking the time to answer our questions for this interview. We can’t wait to see how The Sociology Coach will support sociology students and instructors as its platform grows. So, run—don’t walks—to go tell your friends and colleagues!
