Program Overview

Introduction to the Sociology Program

The Sociology program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and social contexts. Sociologists examine a wide range of topics, including crime and punishment, family formation and dissolution, bureaucracy in organizations, conflicts between classes, and global inequalities.

Why Consider a Sociology Major?

Sociology students develop critical thinking skills, improve their writing ability, and gain competence with statistical computing, enhancing their future career options. Many Sociology graduates enter professions such as law, education, social services, and criminal justice work.

Student Resources

• Department website: Sociology
• Department advising: Visit the Advising webpage for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample careers:
  • Law Enforcement
  • Corrections Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Business Manager
  • Consumer Researcher
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Probation Officer
  • Aging Specialist
  • Advertising Manager
  • Alcohol and Drug Case Worker

Admission and Declaration Process

The number of students admitted to the major is limited due to the structure of the sociology curriculum and departmental staffing capabilities. To declare a Sociology major, students must:

• Complete at least 45 college-level credits
• Complete at least 5 credits in Sociology with a grade of C- or better
• Submit the Sociology Major Admission form

There are two paths to becoming a Sociology major:

• Path 1 (Immediate Declaration): Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.85 or higher may submit their admission form at any time for approval and admission to the major
• Path 2 (Application Review): Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.85 should submit their admission form on or before Friday of the 2nd week of fall, winter, or spring quarter

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Program Requirements (65 credits)

• Introductory Core (5 credits): Complete one of the following introductory courses:
  • SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues
  • SOC 234 - Special Topics in Sociology
  • SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior
  • SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice
  • SOC 260 - The Family in Society
  • SOC 268 - Gender and Society
  • SOC 269 - Race and Ethnic Relations
  • SOC 271 - Immigration
• Core Requirements (15 credits):
  • SOC 302 - Classical Sociological Theory
  • SOC 304 - Statistics for Sociology
  • SOC 306 - Sociological Research Methods
• Electives (40 credits): Electives under departmental advisement to bring the total to a minimum of 65 credits; select from any 200-level introductory course or from any 300- or 400-level course in Sociology
• Capstone (5 credits): One 400-level Sociology capstone course

Notes

• A maximum of 10 credits of 100-level or 200-level sociology coursework may be applied to the major
• A maximum of 10 credits combined from SOC 400 and SOC 481 may be applied to the 65 credits required for the major
• SOC 480 (TA) may not be applied toward the major; however, SOC 480 applies as a university elective toward the total 180 credits required for graduation

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement

Tribal Lands Statement

Western Washington University's main campus is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, all throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed from time immemorial. We express our deepest respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbors, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.