Bachelor of Sociology at West Virginia University

Sociology examines human society with an emphasis on social structure, processes of social interaction, and social change.  Students learn the methods of social science as well as the specialized knowledge and insights of discipline while selecting from a range of substantive course topics. These include but are not limited to: 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.  Courses in the department also are intended to facilitate the application of sociological principles to a wide range of contemporary social problems.

The major prepares students to pursue a broad range of careers that require knowledge of social organization and social processes.  It also prepares students for graduate studies in the social sciences in pursuit of academic or applied research careers or for professional training in law, public administration, social work, public health and other fields.  For more information about this program, please visit the departmental website.

Students who earn a degree in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences must complete the University requirements, the College requirements for their specific degree program, and their major requirements.

Minors

All students have the possibility of earning one or more minors; view a list of all available minors and their requirements here. Please note that students may not earn a minor in their major field.

Sociology

Students graduating with a BA in Sociology will have the ability to:

1. Describe sociology's core concepts and approaches to the study of social structures, social dynamics, and social issues, and how it is similar to and different from other social sciences.
2. Demonstrate the sociological imagination by describing how culture and social structure operate, how society shapes individuals and individuals shape society, and the intersectionality of race/ethnicity, gender, class, or other bases of inequality. 
3. Identify and compare sociology's core theoretical and methodological approaches and discuss their role in building knowledge about society.
4. Apply ethical principles to the conduct of sociological research and the applications of its findings.
5. Critically analyze sociological questions and issues by retrieving and synthesizing appropriate information and evidence and identifying implications for research and practice/policy.
6. Demonstrate effective, clear and persuasive communication skills according to disciplinary conventions.