Undergraduate Program

The major in Sociology provides students with a rigorous understanding of the ways in which social relations and settings shape individual and group experiences and outcomes, with an emphasis on how various forms of inequality are created and propagated through time. Reflecting the diversity of social settings that motivate sociological inquiry, students will enroll in multiple introductory-level courses. We intend that these first courses will help students develop a sociological lens through which they can better understand the baseline determinants of inequality, social order, and change.

Because the discipline draws on diverse theoretical and methodological tools to engage with these core issues, required coursework ensures that students develop expertise in classical and contemporary theoretical concepts as well as both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Upper-level seminars provide majors and minors with an opportunity to apply these substantive, theoretical, and methodological perspectives to a focused and deep study of specific sociological topics. The major additionally features a capstone experience, enabling students to deploy sociological tools to undertake original work connected with a research project, internship, or honors thesis.

The sections that follow provide a detailed overview of both the Sociology major and minor, with an emphasis on providing answers to many of the questions likely to arise at each stage, as well as a guide to related opportunities available to our majors and minors. 

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The Road Ahead

Major & Minor Requirements

What requirements do you need to fulfill and obtain your degree?

Learn More About the Requirements

Have questions?

Visit our Major/Minor FAQ!

Browse our FAQ

Go Beyond the Classroom

Teaching and Research Experience

We are currently compiling databases of students who would like to be considered for available Course Assistantships in a range of departmental class offerings and Research Assistantships on faculty-led projects. These positions are compensated through course credit and/or an hourly wage.

Honorary Society

Washington University’s Sociology Department has reactivated its membership – first established in 1933 – as Missouri’s Beta chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology Honor Society. Founded in 1920 to “acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition,” AKD provides a great outlet to recognize and further the accomplishments of our Sociology majors, and serves as a hub for students to propose and organize a range of department-sponsored activities. We look forward to working with our AKD members to build a strong, engaged, and collaborative community around the Department of Sociology! 

Study Abroad

The Sociology Department strongly encourages our students to study abroad! We have nearly 30 programs approved for students interested in studying sociology overseas. The department endorses a wide range of programs, but you may find School for International Training (SIT)-sponsored programs to be especially strong options if you value immersion in local communities and experiential research opportunities above a more conventional campus-based experience. You can find a range of university study abroad resources through the Overseas Programs office.

To begin your study abroad planning, you will first need to contact the Overseas Programs office. Their representatives are your first point of contact for conducting your search, selecting programs, and coordinating the legal, academic, and personal arrangements needed before, during, and after your study abroad experience. You may direct department-specific questions about whether particular programs and courses meet baseline requirements for major/minor credit to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Caitlyn Collins (c.collins@wustl.edu). We are willing to consider a wide range of study abroad programs and course options. We recommend that you initiate conversations with your sociology major or minor adviser early in your planning as you consider different location and program options. Departmental approval for your Study Plan is a required step in the University’s study abroad application process. On the other end, after returning from your time abroad, the department asks you to complete a brief survey describing your experience to aid future students considering various programs.

Internship Opportunities

We work closely with several on- and off-campus partners to coordinate student internships all year round. If you are interested in an internship experience, please contact our Academic Coordinator. 

Take your research to the next level with the Honors Thesis Program!

Learn more about the Sociology Honors Thesis Program!
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student testimonial

The Sociology department feels like a home for me on campus. There are so many different activities that might be going on when I visit the department; maybe there is a renowned author speaking, or a collaborative planning meeting between professors and students, or it is late-night study hours with dozens of SOC students spread across the carpet, studying together and snacking! I am proud learn in a department that is very conscientious of its impact on campus, on students, in St. Louis, and within the research community.

―Mariel EhrlichClass of 2019

Contact

Still have questions? Please contact our Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Caity Collins. 

Contact the DUS