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Study Sociology

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.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major, Minor

124

4 Years

Salem Campus

Three students sitting at a table listening to a professor.

Our Sociology Major & Minor

Learn how human interactions shape and sustain social patterns, power dynamics, and structures such as capitalism and white supremacy. Develop skills that can help the community around you. Find inspiration through our sociology program to create social change on a local, national, or global scale.

Why choose Sociology at Willamette?

  • A path for life after college. We prepare our students for success. We offer credits for internships and we require students to join a career lab and portfolio course. Students can also utilize the Career Services Center.
  • Meaningful experiences. Join talks with experts or study abroad. We offer events and activities to support your academic growth.
  • The liberal arts advantage. We embrace different fields, subjects, and topics. Broaden your grasp of the world by taking a variety of classes that bolster your knowledge and skills.

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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.

  • 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.

    Portrait of a smiling person with a beard, wearing a black floral shirt, with a backdrop of blurred purple flowers.
  • A young woman with long brown hair and a blue top standing in front of a brick wall.

    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.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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.

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FAQs

Willamette University

Sociology

  • Salem Campus

    Address

    Smullin Hall 3rd Floor
    900 State Street
    Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.

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