Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Bachelor of ArtsRoanoke College
The Sociology Program provides our students with a broad understanding of the tenets of social justice with emphases on the sociological perspective, and critical sociological thought and methodology. Through the focus on intersectionality and inequality in the program, students develop abilities to recognize the continuing sources of social inequality, to explain the important influence of culture, social structure, and social processes on human behavior, and to develop an awareness of and appreciation for cultural diversity. Our students pursue careers in social service, healthcare, criminal justice, education, business, and government.
Outcomes
Students develop the ability to effectively apply a sociological imagination, use social scientific methods for acquiring and analyzing data, apply social theory to social life, and develop skills in writing, oral presentation.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This major pays particular attention to the study of social inequality, and emphasizes an awareness of and appreciation for cultural diversity. Students are provided training in qualitative and quantitative methods of study. Sociology majors work in a variety of fields, including community organization, social work, health services, media, criminal justice, etc. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students are also encouraged to engage in active learning in the classroom and in the community through internships, independent research, community engagement projects, and study abroad. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Useful choices for transfer credit include any sociology courses. Transferring some foreign language courses will help students finish that college requirement faster.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | Students can easily double major or add a minor or concentration from a wide range of options. Students are encouraged to engage in active earning in the classroom and in the community through internships, independent research, community engagement projects, and study abroad. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Sociology at Roanoke College provides students with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including social service, criminal justice, education, business, and government. Our alumni are serving as teachers, marketing consultants, patient advocates, and directors of nonprofits and are pursuing graduate degrees in sociology, social work, school counseling and related fields. |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Roanoke College 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.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Courses completed as part of an associate's degree or general education certificate will be evaluated by our Registrar at admission, and appropriate transfer credits will be awarded. Nearly all general education requirements can be completed with transfer credits. Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Transferrable courses from an accredited college or university taken as dual enrollment while in high school will apply to general education, major, and graduation requirements. Up to three additional World Language courses can satisfy the language requirement. UCGS and Passport courses will all transfer. |
Credit for Prior Learning | In general, Roanoke does not offer credit for prior learning outside of higher education coursework. Military training transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education is accepted. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Roanoke has about 2000 students, mostly undergraduates. Classes are small, averaging 17 students, with a real commitment to teaching and supporting students. Expect close personal interactions with faculty and staff members who get to know you. Active athletic and recreational opportunities are part of the college as are a wide range of student clubs and activities. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. VCCS transfer students may choose a catalog from the two years prior to their first term of attendance if desired. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year for freshmen is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Expected transfer students should notify the admissions office as soon as possible, so we can provide advice on courses which will transfer. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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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 |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
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 |
Northern Virginia Community College | General Studies, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & 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 | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | 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 |
Randolph-Macon College | Sociology/Anthropology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 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 |
Hollins University | BA in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Psychology/Social Work Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 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 |
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 |
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 |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 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 |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts 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 |
Emory & Henry University | Applied History Social Sciences (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | History (BA) | 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 Nursi | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Sociology Health and Human Services (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Sociology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Sociology: Inequality (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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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 |
19-3041.00 | 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 |
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 |
19-3091.00 | Anthropologists and Archeologists | Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
25-1061.00 | Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete
