Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Arts
Batten University
Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts in Sociology
Batten University
The sociology program provides real-life occasions and intellectual resources that can help students understand the social and cultural dimensions of human behavior. By focusing on the concepts, theories and techniques of inquiry employed by sociologists, the Department hopes to foster the sociological perspective. The department offers a major in sociology and provides a great number of courses that serve other major programs and the general goals of a liberal arts education.
Program Overview & Guidance
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Sociology is the study of how social life shapes individual lives — and how individual lives, in turn, shape society. Students learn to apply what sociologists call the "sociological imagination," replacing common-sense assumptions about social issues with evidence-based analysis. The major builds from foundational theory and research methods toward an applied or research-focused senior capstone, with room for electives spanning topics like deviance, family, religion, medicine, and media. An optional internship lets students apply sociological skills directly in a professional setting, and a suggested list of allied courses across the humanities and social sciences lets students shape the major around their own interests. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Some of the courses within the sociology program include: Applied Sociology; Cultural Anthropology; Family; Foundations of Sociology; Medical Sociology; Social Research; Sociology of Religion; Social Problems and Social Solutions; Visual Sociology; and special topics courses such as Animals and Society. The sociology major is a strong supporter of the liberal arts and complements the liberal arts curriculum. The department can also model the major around the individual needs and interests of the student. A student majoring in sociology at Batten is required to complete 40 hours in specified coursework, and 50 hours if choosing to pursue an internship as part of their program.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | There are no additional requirements for this program. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | The variety of skills that students gain through the sociology program enables students to plug into many roles, such as clinicians (with further study) and researchers who implement the theory in day-to-day life. Students enter a variety of career fields including public administration, education, social work, business, politics, protocol and personnel work. A degree in so ciology also enables students to also work in health and human services-related fields or in the criminal justice system. In addition, some graduates seek postgraduate degrees such as law, M.S.W. and M.B.A. degrees. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | 1 graduates 2024-2025 |
Program Credit Requirements
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Batten University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Batten University is committed to treating transfer students fairly. We believe in recognizing your hard work and making the path to your four-year degree as easy as possible.
The Fair Transfer Guarantee helps Virginia community college graduates save credits, save time, and save money by assuring that those with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Applied Science- Human Services (Tidewater Community College) will enter Batten U with junior-class status. All lower-level general education requirements—including foreign language—will be deemed complete, allowing students to focus on courses for their major and upper-level elective credits necessary for their bachelor’s degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | First-time college students arriving with a conferred Associate's degree get transfer credit for all acceptable coursework. They are not exempt from any breadth requirements. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer credits are evaluated based on official transcripts from institutions accredited by regional accreditors. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Batten University from all colleges previously attended. The results of the credit transfer evaluation are recorded in the student's Transfer Evaluation Report in WebAdvisor. A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed after admission to the University. The evaluation is completed only by the Office of the Registrar. Transfer grades are not included in the Batten University grade point average. The amount of credit is determined in terms of the appropriate number of semester credit hours. Criteria for the acceptance of transfer credit include the following: Transfer credit is awarded for courses from colleges/universities accredited by regional accreditors and comparable in content and quality to those offered within the academic programs at Batten University. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
Number of Transfer Students
119
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
66% (Fall 2025)
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Transfer students can choose to live on or off campus. Residential students are permitted to live on campus if they are under the age of 23. The average class size is 14. Our location is your advantage. With approx. 1.7 million people in the area, we have excellent access to internships and research opportunities. All students can and are encouraged to get involved on campus through civic engagement and clubs/organizations. Batten University is an inclusive community grounded in the arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship. Batten University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use the same catalog) |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use same catalog) |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | There is no specific date by which a student must let us know their intent. However, it is in their best interest to do so early to take advantage of all the perks. Read more here https://www.batten.edu/enrollment-aid/transfers/fair-transfer-guarantee.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Sociology (online), Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science: Science (Chemistry Major) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science: Science (Chemistry Major) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Major in Anthropology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Major in Criminology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Hollins University | BA in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Sociology BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Sociology BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Sociology: Community Health BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Sociology: Community Health BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Sociology: Family Science BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Sociology: Family Science BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| University of Lynchburg | BA in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Sociology, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| William & Mary | Sociology - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Sociology-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Old Dominion University | Sociology-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| University of Mary Washington | BA in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Bridgewater College | Sociology Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Sociology, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Emory & Henry University | Social Science- History Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | RN-BSN Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science Nursing | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Social Science- Sociology Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Sociology/Anthropology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Behavioral Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Radford University | BA in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BS in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Sociology in Criminology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Sociology | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS in Sociology in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Sociology | 4-Year | In-Person |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Major in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Psychology Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences (Social Work Major) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
| 19-4061.00 | Social Science Research Assistants | Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-3041.00 | Sociologists | Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1067.00 | Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete