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SociologyMajor

Sociology opens your mind to the hidden structures of social power that affect our everyday life and the major events that are happening around the world.

Overview

What is Sociology at WVU like?

Description

Sociology opens up your mind to see the hidden structures of social power that affect our everyday life, and the major events that are happening around the world. These structures are always changing, so sociology majors must have critical reasoning skills and the intellectual flexibility to communicate around these fluctuations in social behavior.

You can use this degree to improve the quality of life for people everywhere. As a sociology major, you will understand the essentials of human behavior. You will explore social processes that operate in the communities, businesses and groups we encounter every day. You will examine social problems and analyze solutions.

You will learn the methods of social science as well as the specialized knowledge and insights of discipline while selecting from specialized subject areas: racial and ethnic relations, sex and gender, social class and poverty, families and relationships, social psychology and media, health and health care and urban and rural sociology.

Sociology graduates pursue advanced social sciences degrees and have careers in medicine, law, psychology, crisis counseling, education administration, community planning, public health and more.

Sociology program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Sociology at WVU unique?


Research and Academic Opportunities

All sociology students are encouraged to participate in an internship to explore career options and make connections with professionals in the field. Students may choose to intern at any time, but those who wish to earn academic credit for SOCA 491 (Professional Field Experience, 1-12 hours) must have junior or senior standing.

Past internship placements:

  • Bartlett House
  • CASA for Kids
  • Chestnut Ridge Hospital Art Therapy
  • Literacy Volunteers of Monongalia and Preston Counties
  • Monongalia County Probation Office
  • Monongalia County Teen Court
  • Morgantown Area Youth Service Project
  • Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club
  • Pressley Ridge Schools
  • Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center
  • Rock Forge Neighborhood House
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • United Way Volunteer Action Center
  • Salvation Army Soup Kitchen

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Sociology major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Sociology at WVU?

SOCA 221:
Families and Society

Historical comparative approach to changing structure and functions of the family institution. Effect of economic, demographic, and cultural changes on relationships, gender roles, marriage, childcare; variations by socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation.

SOCA 301:
Sociological Theory

Systematic analysis of major sociological theories viewed from the historical perspective and in terms of current research.

SOCA 304:
Complex Organizations

The structure and functioning of large-scale, bureaucratic organizations, including studies of industrial organizations, prisons, hospitals, and government.

SOCA 320:
Social Psychology

Provides a basic but detailed knowledge of the tenets of sociological social psychology, with an emphasis on symbolic interaction. Focuses on how individual identity is formed through a social process.

SOCA 417:
Sociology of Globalization

Examines the social origins and implications of the growing interconnectedness of our world. Emphasis is given to economic, political, cultural, and environmental dimensions of globalization.

SOCA 457:
Social Movements

Ethnographic approaches to the study of power, politics, and social change in the contemporary world. Focuses on past and present injustices, why "ordinary" people mobilize politically for change, and how to study these movements.

SOCA 470:
Cities and Urban Life

This course introduces students to the scientific study of urban social activity and urban problems, including crime. The primary goals are to present the methods, theories, and key concepts of sociological perspectives on cities.

Cost and Aid

How much does Sociology at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Sociology at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Sociology major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Sociology at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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