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Sociology, BA

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.
  • Sociology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on other areas of study, such as history, psychology, and economics.
  • Sociologists use analytical, communication, critical-thinking and writing skills to process large amounts of data and draw conclusions.
  • 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.
Your Degree Plan The 秘色传媒 Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Meet Your Community Places and Spaces Frequently Asked Questions Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Professor and research assistant discuss research data while seated in front of Morgantown's Public Safety Building.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies, and how people interact within a society

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity 鈥 and enhance your curriculum 鈥 through the 秘色传媒 Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first- and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.

The 秘色传媒 Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Faculty are international and national experts in the fields of sociology, anthropology, criminology, and women and gender studies.
  • tied to course content.
  • allows students to go behind prison walls to reconsider what they've learned about crime and justice, while helping those inside prison place their life experiences in a larger framework.
  • Earn academic credit through .
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.
Scholarships

Over 92% of 秘色传媒 freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • An 8-week 秘色传媒 summer program for students interested in graduate school and research/creative work in their discipline or a related discipline. Participants work under the direction of a 秘色传媒 faculty research mentor and a graduate or post-doctoral mentor. Students interested in research careers are especially encouraged to apply.
  • A two-semester 秘色传媒 program for students with limited or no research experience. Students can earn course credit and use federal work-study funds for undergraduate research apprenticeships with 秘色传媒 research faculty.
  • A virtual space for teaching, collaboration and advocacy focused on the intersection of environment and society in West Virginia and Appalachia.
  • Conducts research and publishes scholarly work to prevent and control violent behaviors. The research informs progressive policies seeking to reduce violence in West Virginia, the U.S. and worldwide.
  • Offers practical archaeological experience and promotes West Virginia archaeology and the research potential of legacy collections. It's a welcoming and inclusive environment for students passionate about archaeology.
  • Spring break or semester .
  • Hirshman Research Group - Archaeology Research lab

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

View all of the you can join.

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

In our Soc 491: Internship course, you'll earn up to 12 non-graded credits while gaining hands-on experience in a professional setting and applying sociological tools to reflect on real-world work. Past internships include local and out-of-town opportunities.

Explore internship options through the searchable .

Internship ideas:

  • Alzheimer's Association
  • Aull Center
  • Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
  • ATF Clarksburg Office
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • Casa for Kids
  • Department of Justice - Bureau of Prisons
  • Division Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section
  • Prunty Town Correction Facility
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (Also CJIS division)
  • Forensic Science Initiative
  • Granville Police Department
  • Magistrate Court
  • Monongalia County Day Report Center, Probation Office, Sheriff鈥檚 Department, Teen Court and Victim Assistance Program
  • Morgantown Area Youth Services Project
  • Morgantown Police Department
  • National Cyber Forensics Training Alliance
  • National White Collar Crime Center
  • Randolph County Sheriff
  • Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC)
  • The Shack Neighborhood House
  • Tabhor Community Corrections
  • Taylor County Community Corrections Program
  • 秘色传媒 Transportation and Parking
  • United States Probation Office
  • Westover Police Department
  • West Virginia Governor鈥檚 Internship Program
  • West Virginia State Police
  • 秘色传媒 Center for Resilient Communities Internship Program
  • 秘色传媒 Police Department
  • Wheeling Police Department

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Sociology major will give you the following skills:

  • Critical Thinking: Define and analyze social problems; identify structural and cultural factors that contribute to social and individual outcomes; analyze the connections between social problems and personal issues.
  • Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning: Understand and apply basic statistics to social issues; interpret and draw appropriate conclusions from social science data presented in tables, charts and graphs; apply quantitative knowledge to present social science data in various forms (graphs, tables, words).
  • Communication: Clearly communicate sociological concepts, theories and findings through writing and speaking; follow appropriate norms of small group and classroom discussion interactions by listening actively and responding appropriately.
  • Evaluating/Conducting Empirical Research: Identify, assess, explain and conduct components of social science research including research design, data collection, sampling and measurement.
  • Information Literacy: Identify sources of social science research; assess social science research reported in both professional and popular publications; use social science to develop informed judgements about significant social issues.
  • General Life Skills: Students will develop skills including civility, punctuality, responsibility and organization, life-long learning and professionalization.
  • Society and the Physical World: Identify, analyze and explain the relationships between social structure and culture on the one hand, and technological and natural physical systems on the other.
  • Diversity: Identify, analyze and explain the causes and consequences of social inequality across multiple dimensions (e.g., gender, race, SES) and institutions (e.g., family, sports, work).
  • Social Order: Identify, analyze and explain the contribution of social institutions to social order.

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

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We鈥檒l help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Human Behavior and Cultures

Career path: Social worker, counselor, careers in education, careers in medicine and health

Suggested courses: Families and Society, Sexuality and Society, Race and Ethnic Relations, Death and Dying, Sociology of Gender

Law and Justice

Career path: Law school, lawyer, policing, public policy

Suggested courses: Social Problems in America, Deviant Behavior, Sociology of Law, Hate Crime, Social Psychology

Marketing, Business and Economy

Career path: Nonprofit leader, community organizer, political office, nonprofit sector, social services

Suggested courses: Social Problems in America, Cities and Urban Life, Social Movements, Sociology of Law, Race and Ethnic Relations

Social Justice, Advocacy and Community Organizing

Career path: Nonprofit leader, community organizer, political office, nonprofit sector, social services

Suggested courses: Social Problems in America, Cities and Urban Life, Social Movements, Sociology of Law, Race and Ethnic Relations

Graduate School Options

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology explores societal connections through four unique specializations:

Meet Your Community

The Sociology family will inspire and support you.

  • 鈥淎s soon as I took my first Sociology class, I knew that I had finally found the label for my interests in social justice and group interactions. I had found my passion!鈥
    Suraya Boggs
  • 鈥淚 chose to add a Sociology major to help me become the best version of myself. At 秘色传媒 I was able to learn to think critically and deeply on social issues affecting contemporary America. I was also encouraged and inspired to actively help to fix social issues and volunteer at organizations such as Pantry Plus More.鈥
    Joshua Pilarski
  • 鈥淭he reason I chose 秘色传媒 is because West Virginia has always been one of my favorite places to visit because of the beauty of the diverse geography. I chose Sociology because I love learning about human behavior and trying to understand why things are the way they are.鈥
    Finn Stelzig
  • 鈥淎s someone who is from Morgantown, 秘色传媒 has always felt like home but what really solidified my decision to study Sociology here were the opportunities like Dental Brigade and the SURE program, and the professors, such as Professor Brewster, who genuinely care about their students.鈥
    Clara DeBastiani

  • Daniel W. Brewster

    Professional highlights:

    • Teaching Assistant Professor
    • Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher
    • Neil S. Bucklew Award for Social Justice recipient
    • 秘色传媒 150 who represent 150 years

  • Katie Corcoran

    Professional highlights:

    • Professor
    • Research dedicated to uncovering the lived experiences and unmet needs of rare disease and maternal health communities, translating patient voices into actionable insights that guide clinicians toward enhanced healthcare practices, improved patient outcomes and a brighter quality of life.
    • Supported by prestigious grants from funders such as the National Science Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.
    • Author of over 50 peer-reviewed articles and two books.

  • Rachel Stein

    Professional highlights:

    • 秘色传媒 Research MVP Award for research on the Amish and COVID-19
    • Past President of the North Central Sociological Association
    • Research interests: Community, religion and the Amish

  • Chris Scheitle

    Professional highlights:

    • Professor
    • Principal Investigator for several major grants from the National Science Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation and other agencies totaling over $2 million.
    • Author of over 100 peer-reviewed articles and five books published by Oxford University Press and New York University Press.
    • Ranks in the top 1% of sociologists for productivity, quality and impact of research for the prior five years according to ScholarGPS.

  • Rachael A. Woldoff

    Professional highlights:

    • Professor
    • Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award
    • Author of "White Flight/Black Flight: The Dynamics of Racial Change in an American Neighborhood," which was awarded the Best Book Award from the Urban Affairs Association.
    • Coauthored "High Stakes: Big Time Sports and Downtown Redevelopment" (The Ohio State University Press 2004), "Priced Out: Stuyvesant Town and the Loss of Middle-Class Neighborhoods" (New York University Press 2016), and "Digital Nomads: In Search of Freedom, Community, and Meaningful Work in the New Economy" (Oxford University Press 2021), which examines community, creative class cities and the rise of remote work.
    • Currently researching public housing residents and their experiences of forced relocation during the pandemic.
  • Alexander Cruz
     BA, Criminology, 2011
    鈥淒uring my time at 秘色传媒 I built invaluable relationships that I still cherish today. Through my sociology classes and degree, I began to develop a deeper understanding of people. This has enabled me to be a problem solver for people of many backgrounds. As a result, I have been a business owner for many years, successfully serving my community and countless clients.鈥
  • Kristi Wood-Turner
     BA, Sociology and Anthropology, 2000; MA, Applied Social Research, 2002; EdD, Educational Leadership, Higher Ed Administration, 2011
    鈥淎t 秘色传媒, I learned to explore my interests, dedicate myself to my passions, and face adversity with resilience. I discovered how to lead with purpose and push forward, even when others doubted me. The Sociology Department and its incredible faculty and staff not only guided me toward a brighter future but supported me and my family along the way.鈥

    • FAQs

    Common questions and answers about Sociology.

      • Admitted students may submit the form to request a new major.
      • This form is for prospective students only. Currently enrolled students must meet with their academic adviser.
      • Please review the admissions requirements to ensure that you are eligible for the requested major. Requests will not be processed if ineligible.

      • Sociologists enter the corporate, non-profit and government worlds as directors of research, policy analysts, consultants, human resource managers and program managers.
      • Practicing sociologists with advanced degrees may work as research analysts, survey researchers, gerontologists, statisticians, urban planners, community developers, criminologists or demographers.
      • Sociologists become high school teachers or faculty in colleges and universities, advising students, conducting research and publishing their work.

    Places and Spaces

    Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

    Arch Lab Photo Anthropology

    Archaeological Training and Research Lab

    The primary aim of the Archaeology Lab is to provide students with practical archaeological experience while also promoting West Virginia archaeology and the research potential of legacy collections. A secondary goal of the lab is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students to share their passion for and experiences in the field of archaeology.

    West Virginia Environment and Society Lab

    The Environment and Society Lab is a curated virtual space for critical pedagogy, community collaboration and advocacy, and creative digital and media interventions. We are anthropologists based at 秘色传媒 working in the interface of environment and society, dedicated to examining the urgent environmental issues facing the people of West Virginia and Appalachia.

    Research Center on Violence

    The Research Center on Violence is dedicated to conducting research and publishing scholarly work to prevent and control violent behaviors. The research informs progressive policies seeking to reduce violence in West Virginia, the U.S. and worldwide.

    Hirshman Research Group - Archaeology Research Lab

    Current lab research involves macro and microanalysis of ceramic artifacts from the Lake P谩tzcuaro Basin, Michoac谩n and M茅xico. The lab staff are 秘色传媒 undergraduate students, working through 秘色传媒 RAP, 秘色传媒 SURE, ANTH 497 or Federal Work-Study. Students are expected to present mini projects in the 秘色传媒 Undergraduate Symposiums.


    • It's the next-best thing to being here 鈥 you can virtually tour residence halls and the 秘色传媒 Morgantown Campus.

    • You will have it all here 鈥 epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
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    Admission Requirements

    To be admitted to 秘色传媒's Sociology major, first-time freshmen must meet 秘色传媒's . Interested in transferring? Review the .

    Tuition and Aid

    How much does Sociology at 秘色传媒 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.

    Scholarships

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    Net Price Calculator

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    Ways to Save

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    Financial Aid

    The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Sociology major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

    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 秘色传媒.

    Review the to see if your institution is listed.

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    Want to know more about Sociology at 秘色传媒? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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