Explore a wide range of social justice issues and promote a more just society. Major in sociology to explore inequalities and tactics for social change.
Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts
Major, Minor
124
4 Years
Salem
Hands-on learning allowed sociology students to take on the challenge of climate change by examining the efforts of activist groups. The Climate Justice Workshop helps students understand how coordinated groups can have an impact over individual action.
Students have worked with organizations such as Beyond Toxics and the Building Resilience Coalition. They've also supported vital legislation addressing climate issues including Oregon’s Modernize Air Quality Monitoring Act, State Senate Bill 488A. Students helped members of the public write testimony and held an educational event to inform the community about the bill.
Curious where this major can take you? These are the real internships, graduate opportunities, and careers our Sociology students have gone on to.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Jonneke Koomen teaches courses about human rights advocacy, transnational feminism, and Black internationalism/international relations. Dedicated to expanding access to higher education, she collaborates with students to study the world in order to change it.
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.
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.
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.
Our Sociology program requires 37 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required 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.
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.
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 $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.
Willamette University
Smullin Hall 3rd Floor
900 State Street
Salem
Oregon
97301
U.S.A.