Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Arts
University of Mary Washington
Program Details
BA in Sociology
Bachelor of ArtsBA in Sociology
University of Mary Washington
Our bachelor's program in sociology unravels some of the mysteries of human relationships. What causes us to behave the way we do? Where do our values come from? What fuels peer pressure? How do we develop our attitudes toward others ? What affects family life? If you've often pondered questions like these, sociology may be the major for you. At UMW, you'll get a strong foundation in sociological theory and research methods through the study of socialization, culture, social organization, social change, differentiation, and inequality. Courses focus on such topics as ethnic and racial relations, family, gender, medicine, occupations and professions, organizations, politics and the state, popular culture, population, religion, urban life, aging, juvenile delinquency, and criminology.
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 a major that is great for anyone interested in understanding society. Many of our majors say they are attracted to sociology because they care so much about people. Our program engages students in the community and in research, with a social justice focus and a concern with inequalities in outcomes for social groups. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes A minimum of 120 credits are required; all general education, intensives, and major requirements must be met. Thirty-one of the 120 credits must be completed at UMW. Fifteen of your last 21 credits must be earned on campus. You must have an overall and major GPA of 2.00. The restrictions below apply to the BA/BS degrees:
*Only 8 cr in debate/comm consulting practicum *Only 8 credits in THEA 390 will count *Only 12 credits of private music will count *Only 10 credits of ensemble music will count *One 100-level BIOL sequence will count
*BLST/PORT classes do not count toward the degree *Only 9 credits of overlap allowed between double majors This Degree Evaluation is an advising tool to be used in consultation with your major advisor and staff in the Offices of the Registrar and Academic Services. It is not the final approval for degree completion. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Introduction to Sociology is a great start. Other courses that transfer to the major include Social Problems and The Family. Introductory Statistics is also helpful in preparing for the sociology major.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | The major in sociology offers considerable flexibility, so that many students double major (for example, with psychological science; women, gender, & sexuality studies, etc.) There are many minors that work well with the sociology major, as well, such as the social justice minor (housed in the Sociology & Anthropology department), the museum studies minor, African American Studies minor, Urban Studies minor, and Environmental Sustainability minor. Our majors go on to do many things. A Master's in criminal justice or social work is a popular next step for students interested in those fields. And several of our alumni go on to Law School. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Our majors take at least two research methods courses, graduating with highly marketable data analysis skills. Our graduates go on to careers in a broad range of fields, including public policy, non-profit work and advocacy, journalism, primary and secondary education, family counseling, etc. |
Program Credit Requirements
Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
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 University of Mary Washington 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completing the appropriate transfer degree through VCCS allows students to enter the university as a junior with nearly all general education requirements satisfied. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs and must complete 3 college specific general education courses. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | UMW accepts AP, IB and CLEP results for college credit if the scores earned meets college expectations. Enter your test scores into the portal to see if scores will earn credit. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
Number of Transfer Students
482
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
71% of transfer applicants were admitted across three programs. Avg GPA for admitted transfers was 3.1027.
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | UMW is a perfectly sized university of 3,700 undergraduates that blends opportunity with community. Set in Fredericksburg, our park-like campus for both residential and commuter students is located fifty miles south of Washington, DC and fifty miles north of Richmond, VA. Fredericksburg is one of the most southern final stops on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) which has allowed convenient commuter access to DC for internship experiences while studying at UMW. Founded more than 100 years ago, UMW currently offers 80 majors, minors, and programs through our College of Business, Colleges of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Declare intent to transfer to UMW by completing the “GAA Student Letter of Intent form” available at the Office of Admissions website after a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer associate degree is completed at the community college and before applying for graduation from the community college |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 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 |
| 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 |
| Randolph-Macon College | Sociology/Anthropology (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-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