Majors, Minors and Certificates

Anthropology is the study of what makes us human. Its immersive, field-based and interdisciplinary approach seeks to understand the full sweep and complexity of cultures across all of human history.

We prepare skillful communicators at both the theoretical and applied levels. Our program is flexible, allowing you to tailor the curriculum to meet your individual career and personal goals.

Criminology majors study why crimes occur and how the criminal justice system functions. This major prepares you for careers in criminal justice, business, government or further education like law school.

The doctorate is a research degree that culminates in a dissertation in an area that is jointly determined between a student and their faculty advisor. Each student takes three core courses and two colloquia as the academic foundation for developing their area of research.

Our Master of Arts in Geography provides students with cutting-edge training in the history and theory of geography, experience with advanced geographic research methodologies and specialized mentoring from faculty experts across the subdisciplinary fields of human geography, environmental geography and geographic information science.

The PhD in Geography is an advanced degree with a program made up of coursework, comprehensive exams and a major research investigation. Students are expected to be grounded in one or more of the geography program’s three areas of specialization: environmental geography, geographic information science and human geography.

This interdisciplinary program includes courses in political science, languages, geography, history, sociology, anthropology, economics and other topics. You'll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning and internships.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• Global Connections
• Security and Diplomacy

Studying political science will help you understand why courts make the decisions they do, why legislatures pass the laws they do and why countries make the choices they make in the international arena.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

• American Politics and Policy
• Elections and Campaigns
• International Relations, Comparative Politics and National Security
• Pre-Law and Legal Studies

The Department of Political Science offers a comprehensive curriculum leading to a Master’s Degree (MA) or to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Our PhD and MA graduates have also been employed by government agencies and non-profit institutions such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the U.S. Department of State.

Professional writers do more than simply translate complex, technical information into easy-to-read prose. Professional writers assess the information needs of audiences from different languages and cultural backgrounds, and analyze how written texts circulate through the organizations in which they work. Professional writers possess the critical, rhetorical and technical knowledge necessary to produce successful and effective communications.

Psychology is the science of behavior. As a psychology major, you’ll deepen your self-awareness, improve your understanding of others and build skills in problem-solving, project management and information literacy.

Can you name a teacher who made a difference in your life? How about a book that changed the way you think? Being an English education major will give you the knowledge and skills needed to bring both of those gifts to other students.

In this major, you'll learn to provide high quality instruction in the five areas of the social studies: history, geography, politics, economics and culture.

If you're a compassionate individual with an interest in human diversity and a desire to help others, then a Bachelor of Social Work can help you reach your goals.

The WVU School of Social Work develops leaders in solving the most demanding social issues of our day through rigorous research, academic innovation and public service. Our faculty and students are empowered to extend their reach, deepen their impact and engage in real-world social change. They learn to critically analyze personal, familial and environmental factors affecting practice settings and practice techniques, and to advocate for those who confront barriers to achieving their fullest potential. The school’s programs prepare students for careers as professional social workers committed to public service in nonprofits, government, education, business and higher education.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies, and how people interact within a society

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at WVU offers a PhD in Sociology. All students entering the program will be enrolled as doctoral students. Students entering the program with a BA/BS will be dually enrolled in the MA and PhD programs until they complete the MA requirements.

Learn to see past stereotypes and explore the ways gender, socioeconomic class, sexual identity, gender identity, nationality, race, ethnicity and age shape experience.