Radford University

What you'll study

The sociology programme at Radford University introduces core sociological perspectives and trains students in empirical research methods and quantitative analysis. You will study how social structures and processes shape individual and group behaviour across contexts such as family, work, crime, race, gender and class.

• Core theory: classical and contemporary sociological theory, sociological imagination and perspectives on social change.
• Research methods and statistics: courses in social research methods, data collection, analysis and applied statistics for social scientists.
• Substantive areas: social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, families, deviance and criminal justice, urban and community sociology, and work and organisations.
• Applied learning: internships, community-based projects and opportunities for faculty-mentored undergraduate research that allow students to apply sociological tools to real-world problems.
• Capstone or senior seminar: a culminating experience that typically involves a research project, portfolio or practicum demonstrating mastery of theory and methods.

Entry requirements

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science in Sociology should hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical admission expectations include a competitive high school GPA and an academic record with preparation in English and social studies; coursework in mathematics (including introductory statistics) is recommended to prepare for research methods.

Radford University considers the whole application package. You may be asked to submit a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and will receive credit for applicable general education and elective courses. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates with a sociology degree from Radford are prepared for a variety of entry-level roles and for postgraduate study. Common career paths include:

• Human services and social work agencies
• Community outreach and non-profit programme coordination
• Research and data analysis positions in government or private sector
• Public policy, advocacy and legislative support roles
• Human resources, recruiting and organisational development
• Criminal justice and victim support services
• Secondary education (with appropriate certification) and graduate study in sociology, social work, public administration or law

Students often enhance employability through internships, practicum placements and senior research projects that produce tangible examples of applied skills for employers.

Why study at Radford University

Radford University offers a small-campus environment where students can work closely with faculty on research and community-engaged projects. The sociology programme emphasises hands-on learning through internships and applied research, taking advantage of partnerships in the city and region for practicum placements. Class sizes are typically small enough to allow individual mentoring, and the curriculum balances theoretical foundations with practical training in methods and data analysis.

As a student you will have access to advising that supports career planning and graduate school preparation, student organisations related to social justice and community service, and resources from the university’s career services to identify internships and employment opportunities in the wider Virginia region and beyond.