Best Sociology Programs in Washington, DC for 2027

Howard’s sociology program trains you in research methods, statistics, sociological theory, computer-based social science research, and social organization and demographic analysis. Those are the skills the department points to for work in social research, the health professions, business, social service and data processing, and the major is also a common route into law, education, social work and public administration. Juniors and seniors can register for the senior comprehensive exam, and a study guide is posted on Canvas. The department stresses applying sociology to everyday life and preparing students for graduate and professional school through theory and research experience. It awarded 39 degrees in 2023–24.

Skills Courses

Research methods, statistics, sociological theory and computer-based social science research

Senior Comprehensive Exam

Open to juniors and seniors, with a study guide on Canvas

Career Directions

Social research, health professions, business, social service, and preparation for law or social work

Program Sources: Sociology Program | Howard University Department of Sociology and Criminology

Everything in the George Washington sociology major points toward Senior Research Seminar, SOC 4195. Before it you need a research methods course (SOC 2101 or 2102) and a theory course (SOC 2103 or 2104). In the seminar each semester focuses on a subject, such as race, immigration or gender, and a method, such as survey design, institutional ethnography or regression analysis. You then produce a thesis with a literature review, theoretical framework, methods discussion and findings, and if the grades are there, it can earn departmental honors. The rest is seven upper-level sociology courses, two of them in the 2160 or 2170 ranges. In 2023–24 the department awarded 10 degrees.

Senior Research Seminar

SOC 4195, a weekly seminar that ends in an empirical research thesis

Prerequisites

One research methods course and one theory course before the seminar

Departmental Honors

Open to students who complete a thesis and meet grade requirements

Program Sources: BA in Sociology | Department of Sociology | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University

Georgetown’s sociology major has ten courses and a year-long senior thesis built in. Six are required: Introduction to Sociology, Methods of Social Research, Sociological Theory, Statistics for Social Research, and two Senior Thesis Seminars that run fall and spring of senior year for six credit hours together. Two foundational topics courses at the 2000 level and two advanced seminars at the 4000 level fill out the list. To declare the major you need a C+ or higher in Introduction to Sociology. The department recommends methods in third year, theory and statistics in second or third. Twenty-five students graduated with the major in 2023–24.

Senior Thesis Seminars

SOCI 4961 in fall and 4962 in spring, six credit hours together

Methods Sequence

Methods of Social Research, Sociological Theory and Statistics for Social Research

Declaring the Major

Introduction to Sociology with a C+ or higher

Program Sources: Majoring in Sociology | Department of Sociology | Georgetown University

Catholic University’s sociology major gives you a choice at the end. All majors pass a senior comprehensive exam or write a senior thesis under one faculty advisor, and the thesis option opens to students with a 3.2 GPA or higher who have a topic and sponsor by the end of junior year. Before that, the core is Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods, Statistical Analysis for Social Science and Sociological Theory, ideally finished before senior year, plus a senior seminar. Six sociology electives complete the 12 courses, and taking three in a track earns a certificate. An active internship program lets you earn up to six sociology credits. The department conferred 8 degrees in 2023–24.

Capstone Choice

Senior comprehensive exam, or a senior thesis for students with a 3.2 GPA or higher

Core Courses

Introduction, Research Methods, Statistical Analysis, Sociological Theory and Senior Seminar

Tracks and Internships

Three courses in a track earn a certificate; up to six internship credits

Program Sources: Sociology B.A. - Department of Global Studies - The Catholic University of America | CUA

American’s sociology BA asks you to pick a department emphasis and stay with it for 12 credits. The choices are Health, Medicine, and Society; Inequalities and Social Justice; Migration and Transnational Processes; Place, Space, and Environment; and Politics and Social Change. Around that sit one foundation course, nine credits of research methods and theory including Introduction to Quantitative Research, and 15 credits of electives. You finish with either an internship or the Major Seminar in Sociology. At 42 credits, the major needs a C or better in every course, and at least 24 credits must be at the 300 level or above. A combined BA and master’s option also exists. American conferred 13 sociology degrees in 2023–24.

Department Emphasis

12 credits in one of five areas, from health to politics and social change

Research and Theory

Introduction to Social Research, Social Theory and Introduction to Quantitative Research

Capstone

An internship or the Major Seminar in Sociology

Program Sources: Sociology (BA) - American University

Gallaudet sociology students have worked on research projects close to the Deaf community, including interviews with police officers and interpreters who work with Deaf people in the criminal justice system and a study of how happy Deaf students are at different types of schools. The Center for Black Deaf Studies adds lectures, films, forums and workshops about Black Deaf culture, and a sociological honor society is open to strong students. The department sends graduates toward social work, teaching, law, business and public service. The program awarded 4 degrees in 2023–24.

Student Research

Projects on Deaf people and criminal justice, and on happiness among Deaf students

Center for Black Deaf Studies

Lectures, films, forums and workshops open to sociology students

Honor Society

Gallaudet’s sociological honor society recognizes academic excellence

Program Sources: Sociology | Civic Leadership, Business and Social Change | Gallaudet University

Trinity Washington’s sociology major requires 33 credits, starting with Introduction to Sociology and Interdisciplinary Research Methods, then Sociological Theory and one statistics course, and finishing with a Senior Seminar that serves as the capstone. Six more courses are electives, and you can take five of them in the Social Justice Track, which centers on Inequality and Society and options such as Race and Racism in Society, Social Movements and International Migration. A medical sociology concentration looks at how social, cultural, political and economic factors shape health. The internship course, SOCY 491, places you in social service, research or nonprofit settings. The major produced 3 graduates in 2023–24.

Required Courses

33 credits, including research methods, theory, statistics and a Senior Seminar

Social Justice Track

Five of six electives, starting with Inequality and Society

Medical Sociology

A concentration for majors and a minor for other College of Arts and Sciences students

Program Sources: Sociology (B.A.) CAS | 2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Howard’s sociology PhD core pairs two courses each in theory, research and advanced statistics, then adds two courses chosen from Race, Inequality, and the Black Experience offerings. You need a B or better in every core course. Beyond that come 6 credit hours of methodology electives and 9 credit hours in a cognate minor outside sociology. You can concentrate in Social Inequality, which looks at global capitalism, oppression and social movements, or in Medical Sociology, which covers the social context of health and the healthcare system. The path ends with a qualifying exam, the writing proficiency and responsible conduct of research requirements, and a dissertation defense. Five doctorates were conferred in 2023–24.

Core Sequence

Theory I and II, Research I and II, and Advanced Statistics I and II

Concentrations

Social Inequality, or Medical Sociology

Milestones

Qualifying exam, writing proficiency, research conduct training and dissertation defense

Program Sources: Sociology (Ph.D.) Program Details | The Graduate School