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Sociology Major

What is a Major in Sociology?

Sociology attempts to understand important social phenomena, like the values and beliefs societies share and the ways we're affected by race, class, age, and gender. Since all human behavior is social behavior, the subject matter ranges from two-person relationships up to global communities. The diverse course topics and social science background give you analytical skills that will help you see the world from entirely new perspectives.

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Why Study Sociology at Virginia Tech?

A sociology major provides experience and critical thinking skills that you can bring to almost any field. You'll learn rigorous research methods and how to work and communicate successfully with diverse types of people. In addition to preparing for a wide range of careers, sociology also gives you a strong foundation for graduate school or a professional degree in fields like law, business, health care, social work, or public administration.

 
500+
Books Published by Faculty

 
34
Faculty Members Dedicated to Teaching

 
13
In-major Electives

Careers and Further Study

What can you do with a major in Sociology?

Jobs Held by Our Graduates

  • Social work and social services
  • Family therapy and counseling
  • Criminal justice, law, and law enforcement
  • Political campaigns specialist, civic leadership
  • Non-profit program coordinator 

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

Get Involved 

Join Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society, or join the Criminology and Sociology Club; they sponsor guest speakers and go on field trips related to their field. Many of our majors also take part in social or cultural student organizations, where they learn about the roles individual and group identities play in society. 

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Faculty

Many students discover the sociology major when they take a class with our faculty and find out how interesting social research can be. Our professors have a reputation not just for their scholarship, but also for being friendly, caring, and passionate about making the world a better place. They've won local and national awards for both research and teaching. 

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Research

Many of our students have the opportunity to explore their own questions by taking part in undergraduate research. These projects ask the hard questions about society and provide real research experience that is directly applicable to the workplace. Our students undertake a wide variety of projects, including: how job and home stressors affect drug and alcohol disorders; the effects of bullying and cyberbullying; policing and urban social control; or how racial and gendered knowledge is institutionalized in American culture.

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Specialize

Our centers and programs help you design research projects and take courses specifically tailored to your interests. You can do research with our Center for Race and Social Policy, Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, or the Laboratory for the Study of Youth Inequality and Justice.

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Bachelor of Science in Sociology Degree

Sociology Major Requirements

  • Introductory Sociology
  • Social Inequality
  • Sociological Theory
  • Social Research Methods
  • Senior Seminar
  • Statistics for the Social Sciences
  • 3 credits in Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, or Women's and Gender Studies

Minor and Elective Hours

Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.


120 hrs
B.S. Sociology

45 hrs
General Education

39 hrs
Major Requirements

36 hrs
Elective


 

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