The sociology major at Western examines how people live within families, workplaces, institutions and wider society.
Students learn to design surveys, run focus groups and interviews, and work with statistical data, using these tools to study topics such as crime, inequality, religion, health and race. The curriculum stresses how social settings both enable and restrict what individuals can do.
The degree provides a solid base for careers in health fields, law, teaching, social service agencies and the criminal legal system. A department coordinator advises prospective students, and both a BA and a BS version of the major are offered.
The program is part of Western Washington University in Bellingham, a campus known for supportive faculty and easy reach of mountains, forests and the bay. Entry rules differ by major, with some open to any student, some carrying minimum requirements and some limited by capacity, so applicants should check the category listed for their chosen degree. Prospective students can request information, estimate their costs and apply through the university website.
