Sociology, B.A.

Trinity Washington University’s Sociology degree program in Washington DC provides insight into how social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age influence both individual experiences and broader social systems. Our curriculum examines the complex interplay between social categories and institutional structures, preparing students to address contemporary social challenges in education, health, politics, law and order, and the economy.

Learn how various social categories influence individual and institutional behavior and how individual experiences in turn shape the existing societal social structure. Issues of interest include poverty, racial and gender inequalities, crime, health, education, and economic inequalities, and urban communities. At the global level, sociologists are interested in the study of migration, population growth, globalization, and economic development. 

Majoring in sociology prepares students for graduate school and a wide variety of careers, such as social psychology, criminology or criminal justice, social research, social work, public administration, organizational research, business, education, market research, health services research, law, and community planning.

The Sociology program offers an 18 credit minor in Sociology and a 15 credit minor in Medical Sociology. The Medical Sociology minor is based on the growing recognition that health cannot be understood simply as a biological phenomenon, but also a social phenomenon, which means considering how social, cultural, political and economic factors influence individual and group health outcomes.

Why Study Sociology in Washington DC at Trinity

Pursuing a Sociology college degree in Washington D.C. at Trinity Washington University offers unique advantages that enhance both your educational experience and career prospects:

Living Social Laboratory

Among colleges in D.C., Trinity Washington University provides sociology students with an incomparable urban learning environment. Washington DC functions as a living laboratory where sociological concepts manifest in visible socioeconomic disparities, neighborhood transformations, and policy impacts across diverse communities. This proximity to rapidly changing urban environments for college in D.C. gives Trinity sociology students advantages over students in other regions.

Policy Impact Analysis

Washington DC serves as the epicenter of social policy development in the United States, giving colleges in D.C. a leg up when it comes to taking part in real time change. Trinity’s sociology program stands out by connecting theoretical frameworks to real-time policy creation and implementation. Students analyze how legislative decisions and federal programs affect various populations—insights gained through field observations, internships with policy organizations, and research projects examining the societal impacts of initiatives developed minutes from campus.

Social Justice Advocacy Immersion

The Washington D.C. metropolitan area hosts the nation’s highest concentration of advocacy groups and social justice organizations. Trinity’s sociology curriculum explicitly connects academic theories to practical applications in community organizing and systemic change. Students engage with local and national activists, nonprofit leaders, and community developers working to address inequalities—experiences that transform sociological concepts into actionable social engagement strategies.

Global-Local Connections

As an international capital, our region offers sociology students at colleges in D.C. exposure to global social trends within a local context. Trinity sociology students examine how migration patterns, economic globalization, and transnational social movements manifest. This global-local analysis prepares graduates to understand complex social phenomena across different scales—skills increasingly valued in today’s interconnected professional environments.

Research Methodology Training

Washington D.C. houses premier research institutions and data centers studying social phenomena. Trinity’s sociology program leverages these resources, incorporating methodological training with real-world applications. Students learn qualitative and quantitative research techniques through projects examining local, national, and global communities, preparing them for graduate studies or research careers with skills immediately applicable to addressing contemporary social challenges.