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Sociology

Bachelor of Arts

Sociology examines the structures and organizational patterns of social groups and the theories about them. Due to its versatile nature, a sociological background can lead to a broad array of rewarding careers including criminal justice, education, public health and marketing.

Program Overview

Sociology teacher

Examine the complex conditions of our social lives.

Sociology is a systematic approach to the behavior of societies or groups—what defines them, what holds them together and what destroys them. You’ll learn how inequality, health care, housing, religion and education impact individuals and entire social groups. Once you adopt a sociological perspective, you will begin to challenge ordinary assumptions of how the world works. Sociology’s subject matter is wonderfully broad, but you can customize your experience based on your personal interests and professional aspirations. In the program, you’ll gain the necessary research skills to pursue an advanced degree or begin your career as a teacher, counselor, social worker, criminal justice advocate and more.

Sociological perspectives

Western’s Sociology program teaches students the ways in which social structures and culture shape the world.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

Program Requirements

All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.

A minimum of 39 credits is required including:

Course List
Code Title Credits
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3)3
SOC 225Self and Society3
SOC 302Sociological Theory3
SOC 310Qualitative Research Methods3
SOC 380Social Inequalities3
SOC 498Capstone3
One of the following:3
PSY 200
Statistics and Data Analysis
SOC 211
Quantitative Research Methods
Select six of the following:14-24
GEOG 340
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
PSY 368
Psychopathology
SOC 150
Environmental Sociology
SOC 168
Social Problems
SOC 259
Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOC 285
Criminology
SOC 303
Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOC 320
The Family
SOC 322
Medical Sociology
SOC 323
Cultural Studies
SOC 340
Social Movements
SOC 349
Law Enforcement
SOC 350
Deviance
SOC 351
Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 355
Drugs and Society
SOC 367
Corrections
SOC 397
Special Topics
SOC 399
Internship in Sociology
SOC 492
Independent Study
Total Credits35-45

Capstone Course Requirement

The following courses in the Sociology Major fulfill the capstone course requirement: SOC 498 CAPSTONE or SOC 492 Independent Study , or SOC 399 Internship in Sociology (Criminal Justice Emphasis) with instructor approval.

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation.  Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above).  Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued. 

Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) 3
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits13
Spring
SOC 225 Self and Society 3
MATH 113 Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) 3
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
SOC 211 Quantitative Research Methods 3
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
MINOR Minor of Interest 3
SOC 168
or SOC 259
or SOC 320
or SOC 323
or SOC 340
or SOC 350
or SOC 351
or SOC 355
or SOC 397
or GEOG 340
Social Problems (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply)
or Introduction to Criminal Justice
or The Family
or Cultural Studies
or Social Movements
or Deviance
or Juvenile Delinquency
or Drugs and Society
or Special Topics
or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
3
 Credits16
Spring
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
MINOR Minor of Interest 3
SOC 150
or SOC 259
or SOC 285
or SOC 322
or SOC 397
or GEOG 340
Environmental Sociology (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply)
or Introduction to Criminal Justice
or Criminology
or Medical Sociology
or Special Topics
or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
6
 Credits16
Year Three
Fall
Minor should be declared by the beginning of third year.
SOC 302 Sociological Theory 3
SOC 380 Social Inequalities 3
MINOR Minor Course 3
SOC 168
or SOC 259
or SOC 320
or SOC 323
or SOC 340
or SOC 350
or SOC 351
or SOC 355
or SOC 397
or GEOG 340
Social Problems (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply)
or Introduction to Criminal Justice
or The Family
or Cultural Studies
or Social Movements
or Deviance
or Juvenile Delinquency
or Drugs and Society
or Special Topics
or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
6
 Credits15
Spring
SOC 310 Qualitative Research Methods 3
MINOR Minor Course 3
Elective Elective 6
SOC 150
or SOC 259
or SOC 285
or SOC 322
or SOC 397
or GEOG 340
Environmental Sociology (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply)
or Introduction to Criminal Justice
or Criminology
or Medical Sociology
or Special Topics
or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
MINOR Minor Course 3
Elective Elective 9
SOC 168
or SOC 259
or SOC 320
or SOC 323
or SOC 340
or SOC 350
or SOC 351
or SOC 355
or SOC 397
or GEOG 340
Social Problems (SOC ELECTIVE - prereqs may apply)
or Introduction to Criminal Justice
or The Family
or Cultural Studies
or Social Movements
or Deviance
or Juvenile Delinquency
or Drugs and Society
or Special Topics
or Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
3
 Credits15
Spring
SOC 498 Capstone 3
MINOR Minor Course 3
Elective Elective 9
 Credits15
 Total Credits120

Spotlight

Sociology

Andrew Butterfield

Alumni

“Small classes, skiing, fishing and a friendly community make the Gunnison Valley a perfect place to live, get an education and enjoy the outdoors.”

Sociology

Alyssa Ware

Student

“I’m really happy with the route that I took. Western has afforded me opportunities that I don’t think I would have had anywhere else. I don’t think I would have had the same access to different resources at a bigger school.”

Careers

Take the first steps toward your dream career.

Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.

Ready to apply or learn more about Western today?

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Find Your Career

The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Get Involved

Sociology

Make your education a life changing experience.

A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.

  • Alpha Kappa Delta: A society of scholars (undergrad, graduate and professional) that promotes excellence in sociology, conducts research on social problems and involves itself in other activities which attempt to improve the human condition.
  • Sociology Club: A student organization meant to engage students in academic and social activities outside of the classroom.
  • Undergraduate Research Conference: A regional conference (sometimes hosted at Western) where students present their own research in a professional setting.

Opening doors

A degree in Sociology degree can open doors to rewarding careers in criminal justice, education, public health and more. Graduate school is a popular pathway, too.

News & Research

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Western Sociology lecturer wins best dissertation award

Western Sociology lecturer wins best dissertation award

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Additional Resources

Sociology Club and AKD (Honor Society)

Sociology Club and AKD (Honor Society) Anyone with an interest in social issues is encouraged to join these clubs to engage in academic and social […]

Learn More

Department Chairperson

Heather Thiessen-Reily, Ph.D.

Professor of History

Administrative Assistant

Patricia McCarthy

Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences Administrative Assistant

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 240
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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