Department of Sociology

Sociology is an exciting enterprise and at The George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences we offer rigorous, yet collegial undergraduate and graduate training programs. With a solid grounding in social theory, and experience with issues of social justice, our students are thoroughly prepared to conduct research, attain advocacy positions, assume leadership roles in not-for-profit agencies, or work within the criminal justice system. And we offer a wide range of substantive Undergraduate and Graduate courses in the areas of Sociology (BA, BA/MA, MA), Human Services (BA), Criminal Justice and Criminology (BA, BA/MA, MA). Our students have the opportunity to take courses in several schools and disciplines including the Elliott School of International Affairs, GW's Law School, The Public Policy Institute, Women's Studies, and many others. And they serve as interns and community partners for a wide variety of organizations. For more information, go to our Academics links listed in the menu on the left-hand side of our pages.

Our Location

Located in the heart of the nation's capital, just blocks from the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center and so much more, GW offers intellectual, professional, and cultural opportunities that are unsurpassed. The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is an increasingly diverse community that constitutes an ideal laboratory for sociological exploration.

Our Graduates

Perhaps nothing speaks for us more clearly than the experiences of our students when they leave George Washington. Our graduates have gone on to outstanding PhD programs including UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, and Ohio State University. Some have created non-profit organizations and opened community spaces.  Others have taken positions in government agencies including the Census Bureau and the GAO. Several have accepted research positions with organizations like the Urban Institute, Westat, and the American Association of Retired Persons. Still others have moved on to community based not-for-profit organizations like Planned Parenthood and The Alzheimer's Association.

To learn more, please read through our website by clicking on the links listed in the menu bar on the left-hand side of each page. See what our faculty are doing. Take a look at the classes we offer. Consider the various degree programs.