Social Services & Community Work
Prepare for careers in social services, community organizing, nonprofit work, and advocacy grounded in an understanding of social systems and inequality.
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.
Requirements
Introduction Course
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology — OR — SOC 270 Social Problems*
4 hrs
SOC 345
Foundations of Sociology
4 hrs
SOC 350
Introduction to Social Research
4 hrs
Applied or Research Capstone Prep
SOC 353 Applied Sociology* — OR — SOC 480 Senior Research Project
4 hrs
SOC 488
Senior Capstone
4 hrs
300/400-level SOC Electives
Two additional SOC courses at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Additional Electives
Three additional courses at any level, including one or two from the allied course list. SOC Electives: SOC 215, 227, 237, 251, 303, 308, 311, 336, 351, 460.
12 hrs
Internship (Optional)
SOC 483 Internship Preparation (2 hrs) AND SOC 484 Internship in Sociology (8 hrs)
(10 hrs)
Suggested Allied Courses
See advisor: ENVS 106 Humans, the Environment & Sustainability · INST 123 Service Learning in Hampton Roads · INST 124 Service Learning and Issues of Civic Engagement in Hampton Roads · GEOG 112 Cultural Geography or GEOG 113 Human Geography · SW 361 Human Sexuality · SW 402 Women on the Brink · HIST 357 Holocaust · MATH 210 Introductory Statistics or MATH 310 Statistical Models · PHIL 272/372 Beyond the Western Tradition or PHIL 292/392 Alternative Futures · POLS 103 Global Realities or POLS 353 Globalization & Its Discontents · PSY 227 Social Psychology · RELST 116 World Religions · RELST 140 Religion in American Culture or RELST 250 Religion & Popular Culture · SPAN 210 Hispanic Myths/Rituals or SPAN 265 U.S. Latino Culture · TH 375 Images of Women in Theatre & Film
Total Hours Required
40
*Total of 40 hours required without internship. Students seeking an applied emphasis should consider SOC 270 and SOC 353. The allied course list is suggestive and updated regularly — consult an advisor to choose allied courses suited to academic and career interests.
Introduction Course
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology — OR — SOC 270 Social Problems*
4 hrs
200-level+ SOC Electives
Two additional SOC courses at the 200 level or above
8 hrs
300/400-level SOC Electives
Two additional SOC courses at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Sociology students have access to guaranteed pathways to law school through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
University of Virginia
Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
Preferred AdmissionOne reserved seat per year — including an annual fellowship — for a Batten Honors College graduate meeting admission criteria for the Master of Public Policy.
Career Outcomes
Research & Data Analysis
Coursework in sociological research methods builds skills directly applicable to research, survey design, and data analysis roles across industries.
Law, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Shared coursework with Criminal Justice supports careers in law, law enforcement, corrections, and public policy work focused on social issues.
Graduate Study
A strong foundation for graduate programs in sociology, social work, public health, and related social science fields.
Faculty
Scott Liverman
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice,Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice
757-455-3294
4 Graybeal Hall, Allen Village
Jeffrey Toussaint
Associate Professor of Sociology/Criminal Justice
757-233-8842
3 Graybeal Hall, Allen Village
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.
Requirements
Introduction Course
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology — OR — SOC 270 Social Problems*
4 hrs
SOC 345
Foundations of Sociology
4 hrs
SOC 350
Introduction to Social Research
4 hrs
Applied or Research Capstone Prep
SOC 353 Applied Sociology* — OR — SOC 480 Senior Research Project
4 hrs
SOC 488
Senior Capstone
4 hrs
300/400-level SOC Electives
Two additional SOC courses at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Additional Electives
Three additional courses at any level, including one or two from the allied course list. SOC Electives: SOC 215, 227, 237, 251, 303, 308, 311, 336, 351, 460.
12 hrs
Internship (Optional)
SOC 483 Internship Preparation (2 hrs) AND SOC 484 Internship in Sociology (8 hrs)
(10 hrs)
Suggested Allied Courses
See advisor: ENVS 106 Humans, the Environment & Sustainability · INST 123 Service Learning in Hampton Roads · INST 124 Service Learning and Issues of Civic Engagement in Hampton Roads · GEOG 112 Cultural Geography or GEOG 113 Human Geography · SW 361 Human Sexuality · SW 402 Women on the Brink · HIST 357 Holocaust · MATH 210 Introductory Statistics or MATH 310 Statistical Models · PHIL 272/372 Beyond the Western Tradition or PHIL 292/392 Alternative Futures · POLS 103 Global Realities or POLS 353 Globalization & Its Discontents · PSY 227 Social Psychology · RELST 116 World Religions · RELST 140 Religion in American Culture or RELST 250 Religion & Popular Culture · SPAN 210 Hispanic Myths/Rituals or SPAN 265 U.S. Latino Culture · TH 375 Images of Women in Theatre & Film
Total Hours Required
40
*Total of 40 hours required without internship. Students seeking an applied emphasis should consider SOC 270 and SOC 353. The allied course list is suggestive and updated regularly — consult an advisor to choose allied courses suited to academic and career interests.
Introduction Course
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology — OR — SOC 270 Social Problems*
4 hrs
200-level+ SOC Electives
Two additional SOC courses at the 200 level or above
8 hrs
300/400-level SOC Electives
Two additional SOC courses at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Sociology students have access to guaranteed pathways to law school through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
University of Virginia
Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
Preferred AdmissionOne reserved seat per year — including an annual fellowship — for a Batten Honors College graduate meeting admission criteria for the Master of Public Policy.
Career Outcomes
Social Services & Community Work
Prepare for careers in social services, community organizing, nonprofit work, and advocacy grounded in an understanding of social systems and inequality.
Research & Data Analysis
Coursework in sociological research methods builds skills directly applicable to research, survey design, and data analysis roles across industries.
Law, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Shared coursework with Criminal Justice supports careers in law, law enforcement, corrections, and public policy work focused on social issues.
Graduate Study
A strong foundation for graduate programs in sociology, social work, public health, and related social science fields.
Faculty
Scott Liverman
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice,Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice
757-455-3294
4 Graybeal Hall, Allen Village
Jeffrey Toussaint
Associate Professor of Sociology/Criminal Justice
757-233-8842
3 Graybeal Hall, Allen Village