Alika Masei ’17
Championing Social Justice and Community Engagement
Alika Masei ’17, a sociology and women’s and gender studies double major, integrates advocacy and athletics, fostering inclusion and dialogue at Willamette University.
Program Snapshot
- Degree Type
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Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts
- Program Type
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Major
- Credit Hours
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124
- Time to complete
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4 Years
- Campus
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Salem Campus
Explore complex issues in our sociology program to pave the way to a better future.
Alumni Stories
Our alumni are making a difference. They've pursued graduate degrees, grants, and fellowships. They've also become teachers, social workers, lawyers, and presidents of companies. Learn how our degree program has impacted their success.
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Diana Serrano ’10
Diana Serrano ’10, driven by her early challenges as a non-English speaker, now works at Education Northwest in Portland, using her background in education, data, and research to help immigrant children reach their full potential. She explains how she could use sociology to explain her own position in society and contribute to other people’s advancement in the world as well.
Sociology Faculty
Our professors offer a variety of perspectives and academic disciplines. They've published their findings, earned awards, and inspired students. Work together through research projects or discuss concepts in small class sizes. Chat with them to expand your knowledge about core concepts in sociology.
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Meet Professor Lorenzen
Dr. Janet A. Lorenzen specializes in social change, climate governance, and environmental justice. An advocate for personal action, they prepare students to make a difference in the world by building confidence through study and research.
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Meet Professor Koomen
Dr. Jonneke Koomen focuses on mass violence, human rights advocacy, and race in international politics. Dedicated to expanding access to higher education, they collaborate with students to foster a more inclusive and critical learning environment.
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Meet Professor Strawn
Dr. Kelley D. Strawn specializes in political sociology, social movements, and quantitative research methods. He is committed to student success, and showcases a dedication to fostering comprehensive sociological understanding and curricular innovation.
Curriculum
By integrating coursework with hands-on learning, students can inspect social structures, understand social injustice, and promote social change. Explore research options, internships, and even student clubs to enact change. Apply core concepts to social problems, issues, and relationships. Learn how to communicate, solve problems, and research effectively.
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SOC 321 Climate Justice Workshop
Actively combat climate inequity and racial injustice by exploring effective solutions and supporting local activist groups in Oregon. Engage in hands-on lobbying, learn about climate justice politics, and work with coalitions to drive social change.
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SOC 303 Sociological Theory
Dive into the foundational views of sociology, exploring the works of Durkheim, Marx, and Weber. Discover how modern and critical paradigms, including feminist, race, and queer theories, have evolved to explain social events and globalization.
Program Requirements
Our Sociology major requires 37 semester hours to complete the degree. This is comprised of 12-13 semester hours of core courses, 20 semester hours of electives, and 5 semester hours dedicated to the Senior Experience.
Students pursuing a Sociology minor will need to complete 20-21 semester hours, including an introductory course, 1 Applied or Community-Based elective, and 12 semester hours of electives.
Admissions Information
Our Sociology program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Willamette University is committed to supporting Sociology majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.
