Program Overview

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Introduction to the Sociology Program

The Sociology program at Washington State University (WSU) is designed to help students understand the complexities of human society and social behavior. This program is offered completely online and develops student skills in critical thinking, quantitative and symbolic reasoning, research methods, information literacy, communication, and life-long learning.

Program Overview

The WSU undergraduate sociology major prepares students for a wide range of exciting career opportunities, including social work, healthcare, education, criminal justice, law, politics, business, and marketing. The program focuses on developing versatile skills and knowledge that enable students to tackle complex issues in an ever-changing world.

Degree Awarded

The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

WSU College

The Sociology program is part of the College of Arts and Sciences at WSU.

Application Deadlines

• Spring: December 5
• Summer: April 20
• Fall: July 24

Class Begins

• Spring: January 12, 2026
• Summer: May 11, 2026
• Fall: August 24, 2026

Why Major in Sociology?

Sociology is the scientific study of social interaction, examining the nature of human society, social behavior, and the roles played by groups, organizations, institutions, and cultures. Sociologists study a wide range of issues, from inequality to human ecology, from deviance to religion, from medicine to politics.

What You’ll Learn

The WSU undergraduate sociology major develops student skills in critical thinking, quantitative and symbolic reasoning, research methods, information literacy, communication, and life-long learning. The program helps students develop a deep understanding of fundamental features of society, including diversity and inequality, the problem of social order, and the intersection of society and the environment.

WSU Online Sociology Degree Strengths

• The Department of Sociology at WSU’s College of Arts and Sciences is home to several award-winning faculty members and has been consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation.
• Research is important to sociologists—undergraduate students have unique opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students pursuing a wide array of fascinating research topics.
• In sociology coursework, students focus on developing various useful skills that will be utilized when entering the labor market and/or graduate school.

Program of Study

University Requirements

All WSU undergraduates must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits, of which 40 credits must be at the 300–400 level. Students must also complete the University Common Requirements (UCORE) and fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences graduation requirements and the program requirements of the degree.

Required Sociology Courses

• SOC 101 [SSCI] – Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 310 [M] – Development of Social Theory
• SOC 317 – Research Methods in Sociology
• SOC 321 – Quantitative Techniques in Sociology I (4 cr)
• SOC 495 [CAPS] [M] – Internship Capstone

Sociology Electives

Choose five classes (15 semester credits):

• SOC 102 [SSCI] – Social Problems
• SOC 230 – Society and Technology
• SOC 245 – Sociology of Sport
• SOC 251 [EQJS] – The Sociology of Sex, Relationships, and Marriage
• SOC 300 [EQJS] [M] – Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality
• SOC 332 [SSCI] – Sustainability and Society
• SOC 334 – Medical Sociology
• SOC 340 [EQJS] – Social Inequality
• SOC 341 – Inclusive Workplace Leadership
• SOC 350 – Social Psychology
• SOC 351 [DIVR] – The Family
• SOC 352 – Youth and Society
• SOC 360 – Social Deviance
• SOC 361 [EQJS] – Criminology
• SOC 362 – Juvenile Delinquency
• SOC 367 – Juvenile Justice and Corrections
• SOC 368 – Drugs and Society
• SOC 372 – The Sociology of Film
• SOC 384 – Sociology of Gender
• SOC 385 [EQJS] – Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
• SOC 418 – Human Issues in International Development

Related Field Concentration

Choose four classes (12 semester credits; 6 credits must be 300 or 400 level):

• COM 101 [SSCI] – Media and Society
• COM 464 – Gender and the Media
• COMSTRAT 312 – Principles of Public Relations
• COMSTRAT 380 – Advertising Principles and Practices
• I BUS 380 – International Business
• MGMT 301 – Principle of Management and Organization
• MKTG 360 – Marketing
• SOE 110 [BSCI] – The Environment, Human Life, and Sustainability
• SOE 312 [DIVR] – Natural Resources, Society, and the Environment
• Any AMER_ST, ANTH, ASIA, CES, CRM_J, ECONS, H_D, HISTORY, HONORS, PHIL, POL_S, PSYCH, and WGSS courses.

College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements

All students must fulfill additional requirements, including:

• Foreign Language: Complete 2 years of high school or 1 year of college in a single foreign language
• Complete an Equity and Justice [EQJS] designated course
• Additional 1 lab credit of [BSCI], [PSCI] for a total of 8 semester credits and 2 labs.

Related Certificate

Global Campus offers a related undergraduate certificate program that can be paired with the sociology degree:

• Sustainable Organizational Leadership