Program Overview

Introduction to the Sociology for Professionals, BA Program

The Sociology for Professionals, BA program at Western Washington University is designed for individuals already in helping professions who wish to advance their careers with a degree. This program focuses on assisting students in tailored explorations of areas such as generation, occupation, gender, religion, sexual orientation, family, health, nation, race, and ethnicity.

Why Consider a Sociology for Professionals Major?

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

Program Requirements

The Sociology for Professionals, BA program requires 60 credits.

Major Core (25 credits)

• SOCP 301 - Professional Development 1 (5 credits)
• SOCP 305 - Program Evaluation and Research (5 credits)
• SOCP 307 - Applied Sociological Theory (5 credits)
• SOCP 403 - Professional Development 2 (5 credits)
• SOCP 405 - Professional Development 3 (5 credits)

Internship (15 credits)

• SOCP 401 - Internship (5 credits), repeatable up to 15 credits

Electives (20 credits minimum)

• Complete a minimum of 20 credits. While not required, students are recommended to take SOCP 303 as one of their electives.
• SOCP 303 - Statistics for Nonprofit Management and Social Work (5 credits)
• SOCP 350 - Patterns of Domestic Violence and Abuse (5 credits)
• SOCP 352 - Religion and Society (5 credits)
• SOCP 354 - Disability and Inequality (5 credits)
• SOCP 356 - Race, Power, and Privilege (5 credits)
• SOCP 358 - Death and Dying (5 credits)
• SOCP 360 - Drugs and Society (5 credits)
• SOCP 362 - Gender and Sexuality (5 credits)
• SOCP 364 - Health Inequalities (5 credits)
• SOCP 366 - Family Dynamics and Social Systems (5 credits)
• SOCP 368 - Immigration and Migration (5 credits)
• SOCP 370 - Housing and Homelessness (5 credits)
• SOCP 372 - Law and Society (5 credits)
• SOCP 374 - Urban and Rural Inequality (5 credits)
• SOCP 376 - Children and Youth (5 credits)

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

Admission and Declaration Process

Students interested in entering the Western on the Peninsulas Sociology BA program will generally need to meet the following requirements for admission into the program:

• Completion of an Associate of Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement from a Washington State Community College, or the equivalent of 90 transferrable quarter credits to achieve Junior-level status upon admission
• Ability to complete any outstanding General University Requirements with coursework offered from WWU
• Achieved a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
• Completed transfer application submitted

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.