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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

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 WVU 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 — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU 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.
  • International service projects tied to course content.
  • Inside-Out Prison Exchange 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 Eberly internship courses.
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE): An 8-week WVU 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 WVU faculty research mentor and a graduate or post-doctoral mentor. Students interested in research careers are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Research Apprenticeship Program RAP: A two-semester WVU 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 WVU research faculty.
  • Environment and Society Lab: A virtual space for teaching, collaboration and advocacy focused on the intersection of environment and society in West Virginia and Appalachia.
  • Research Center on Violence: 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.
  • Arch Lab: 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 Service Learning Study Abroad in Bolivia or Panama, Honduras, Ghana, Guatemala and Belize.
  • Hirshman Research Group - Archaeology Research lab

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

View all of the student organizations 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 AnthroGuide.

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’s 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
  • WVU Transportation and Parking
  • United States Probation Office
  • Westover Police Department
  • West Virginia Governor’s Internship Program
  • West Virginia State Police
  • WVU Center for Resilient Communities Internship Program
  • WVU 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 residence hall community 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’ll 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 doctoral program explores societal connections through four unique specializations:

Meet Your Community

The Sociology family will inspire and support you.

  • “As 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!”
    Suraya Boggs
  • “I chose to add a Sociology major to help me become the best version of myself. At WVU 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.”
    Joshua Pilarski
  • “The reason I chose WVU 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.”
    Finn Stelzig
  • “As someone who is from Morgantown, WVU 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.”
    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
    • WVU 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:

    • WVU 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
    “During my time at WVU 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.”
  • Kristi Wood-Turner
     BA, Sociology and Anthropology, 2000; MA, Applied Social Research, 2002; EdD, Educational Leadership, Higher Ed Administration, 2011
    “At WVU, 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.”

    • FAQs

    Common questions and answers about Sociology.

      • Admitted students may submit the Change of Major 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.

    Explore the Archaeological Training and Research Lab

    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 WVU working in the interface of environment and society, dedicated to examining the urgent environmental issues facing the people of West Virginia and Appalachia.

    Explore the West Virginia Environment and Society Lab

    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.

    Explore the Research Center on Violence

    Hirshman Research Group - Archaeology Research Lab

    Current lab research involves macro and microanalysis of ceramic artifacts from the Lake Pátzcuaro Basin, Michoacán and México. The lab staff are WVU undergraduate students, working through WVU RAP, WVU SURE, ANTH 497 or Federal Work-Study. Students are expected to present mini projects in the WVU Undergraduate Symposiums.

    • Virtual Tour
      It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.
    • Student Life
      You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
    • Visit
      Experience WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

    Admission Requirements

    To be admitted to WVU's Sociology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

    Tuition 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.

    View Tuition and Fees

    Scholarships

    Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

    Find Scholarships

    Net Price Calculator

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

    Visit the Net Price Calculator

    Ways to Save

    Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

    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.

    How to Complete the 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 WVU.

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

    Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

    Ready to take the next step?

    Learn how to join the WVU family.

    Request Info

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

    Request Info

    Visit

    ​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

    Visit WVU

    Apply

    Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.

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