Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Degree Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program at Virginia Wesleyan University provides a well-rounded education to complement students' passion for understanding social issues. By studying topics that emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the field, students will be able to apply what they learn in the workplace. The online bachelor's program emphasizes real-world skill development along with flexibility, allowing students to complete their education in a format that works for them.

Program Details

• Total Degree Credit Hours: 128
• Program Length: Finish in as little as 24 months
• Cost Per Credit Hour: $410
• Major Credit Hours: 40

Course Information

General Education Requirements

General Education is the component of the degree that all students share. The requirements include both a scholarly core experience and a broad array of courses from across the university.

• Wesleyan Seminars
• Breadth Requirement
• English Composition
• Foreign Language Proficiency
• General education requirements for transfer students

Core Requirements

The major is a component of the degree that a student chooses: a major requires students to take a deep dive into the complexities of knowledge within a particular area of inquiry and to understand the methods and tenets of a discipline or interdisciplinary field.

• SOC 100: Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)
• SOC 345: Foundations of Sociology (4 credits)
• SOC 350: Introduction to Social Research (4 credits)
• SOC 353: Applied Sociology
• SOC 480: Senior Research Project (4 credits)
• SOC 488: Senior Capstone (4 credits)
  • Further Requirements:
    • Two additional sociology courses at the 300 or 400 level. (8 credits)
    • Three additional courses at any level, including those from the allied course list. (12 credits)
• SOC electives:
  • SOC 110, 215, 227, 237, 251, 303, 308, 311, 336, 351, 360, 400, 418, 460
  • Students seeking an applied emphasis should consider taking these courses.
• Internship (optional): (10 credits)
  • SOC 483: Internship Preparation - AND - SOC 484: Internship in Sociology
• Suggested Allied Courses (see advisor):
  • ENVS 106: Humans, the Environment & Sustainability
  • INST 123: Service Learning in Hampton Roads
  • INST 124: Service Learning and Issues of Civic Engagement in Hampton Roads
  • GEOG 112: Cultural Geography - OR - GEOG 113: Human Geography
  • SW 361: Human Sexuality
  • SW 402: Women on the Brink
  • HIST 366: Holocaust
  • MATH 210: Introductory Statistics - OR - MATH 310: Statistical Models
  • PHIL 272/372: Beyond the Western Tradition - OR - PHIL 292/392: Alternative Futures
  • POLS 103: Global Realities - OR - POLS 353: Globalization & its Discontents
  • PSY 227: Social Psychology
  • RELST 116: World Religions
  • RELST 140: Religion in American Culture - OR - RELST 250: Religion & Popular Culture
  • SPAN 210: Hispanic Myths/Rituals - OR - SPAN 265: U.S. Latino Culture
  • TH 375: Images of Women in Theatre & Film

Career Outcomes

• Public Administration: Local and national governments must consider how policies may impact individuals and society. Apply your sociology expertise to help shape public programs that promote social well-being.
• Health Administration: Hospitals and other health care providers play central roles in every society. In VWU's online sociology degree program, you can prepare for careers in public health to ensure medical systems serve the needs of all individuals.
• Business Leadership: Skills that lead to success in sociology and business professions go hand in hand. Learn what motivates workforces as you prepare for business management roles. Plus, earning this degree paves the way for you to earn an MBA.
• Sociology: After graduation, continue your education in a master's degree program to qualify for research positions at universities, government agencies, and health care organizations. This field had a median salary of $82,050 in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, employment demand will grow as much as 9 percent from 2018 to 2028.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete the online application.
2. Applicants who have not yet completed 12 semester hours of college work must submit an official high school transcript and SAT/ACT score, and an official college transcript from all colleges and universities previously attended. Applicants who have not taken an SAT or ACT may be admitted on the basis of an evaluation of high school coursework. Applicants who are not high school graduates may be admitted on the basis of GED test results.
3. Applicants who have successfully completed 12 or more semester hours of college work must submit official college transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Generally, individuals transferring to Virginia Wesleyan must present a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.