jmcomicÂþ»­

Sociology is the study of human social interaction. Sociology professors seek to acquaint students with the body of knowledge the discipline built over its history. This includes the discipline's major theories, subfields, and research methods.

You might take an interest in sociology if you wonder why people behave differently in various contexts, why cultures value different personality traits, or how group dynamics change with age. As social science learners, sociology majors often learn valuable transferable skills, which they bring to their careers. 

Online sociology programs are available at all levels. Online bachelor's in sociology programs usually require a minimum of 120 credit hours. All online bachelor's degree applicants will need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools have minimum GPA or standardized test score requirements for admission. 

An online degree from an accredited institution is important for sociology students to ensure that the school has a rigorous curriculum and that graduates will be able to transfer credits. Accreditation is also an important indicator to prospective employers that a student has received a relevant and valuable education.

Online bachelor's degrees in sociology are available in two forms: a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. In general, a Bachelor of Science tends to have a more quantitative focus than a Bachelor of Arts. However, both are suitable choices for students hoping to pursue further education in sociology or want an education in the organization of human society.

You should only consider institutionally accredited schools. Employers prefer candidates from accredited schools because they can trust that the college's quality undergoes regular review from an independent agency.

In addition, the Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology (CAPACS) accredits a few and programs in the U.S. This is a fairly niche organization, and this programmatic accreditation is unlikely to affect your future employment opportunities.

Core sociology curricula are often broadly similar at the same level. However, some bachelor's and graduate degrees feature concentrations that let you study a subfield of sociology. Common concentrations include gender and society, medical sociology, and social inequality. Additionally, some online institutions also require that sociology students engage in an internship. These can often be completed at approved local locations, although in some cases, students should be prepared to travel or should choose an online program from a nearby school.

Most distance learning programs have asynchronous courses with no class meetings, though some might have synchronous elements, such as live lectures or class discussions over video software. Some colleges also offer hybrid programs with a mix of online and in-person courses.

Below, we provide a few example courses in sociology:

• Social Problems: This course presents the rationale for studying sociology and offers possible solutions to certain issues. Commonly studied problems include class inequality, ethnic and racial discrimination, migration and immigration, and inequities in healthcare access. 
• The Self in Society: When studying for this course, students focus on individuals within social groups. Professors typically discuss how societies shape and continually influence individuals' roles, responsibilities, and ideologies.
• Collective Behavior and Social Movements: In this class, students examine how individuals involve themselves in groups in order to achieve their goals.

A sociology degree may qualify you for a range of career opportunities. The most common graduates are in fields other than sociology, including business and management, education, and law. This is because sociology courses often help students develop soft skills employers want, such as organizational aptitude, writing ability, analytical thinking, and empathy.

story illustrates the versatility of a sociology degree. She says, "I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University-East Bay. Right out of college my employer, a restaurateur, saw my potential in event planning." She eventually opened her own wedding planning business and still appreciates her sociology education: "My degree in sociology gave me so much insight and support in a career I was unknowingly destined for. I work with clients of all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, and backgrounds. I have learned to become an expert in various religious and cultural wedding traditions. I have an openness and understanding that is vital to a successful wedding planning career."

Some employers want students with subject matter expertise in sociology. Many of these employers are in the industry, with common job titles including case manager, family service worker, and social services director.

You might also want to become a who does original research in the field. This career requires a master's degree in sociology, or even a PhD in the field. Most sociologists work for colleges, though some do research for state or federal government agencies.

Sociology can be a good major if it meets your criteria for "good," but this is subjective. For example, many sociology majors end up in high-paying management roles, but they may have also become managers if they'd earned business degrees. In addition, you may value satisfaction with your work more than you value a high salary.

The best argument for studying sociology is that it's proven versatile for graduates in the job market. This is because students practice that businesses, nonprofits, and governments all seek in their employees. 

For example, was hired as a social media and public relations specialist after receiving her sociology bachelor's. She says, "The very basis of search engine optimization and how algorithms work is sociology in action … Studying how sociology and communications go hand-in-hand has given me a better idea of how people from different backgrounds may react to and use my client's websites ... Without my sociology degree, I'm not sure I would have excelled in my career to the extent I have."

Licensure and certification may be required for certain positions within the sociology field and related careers. Practicing sociologists with master's or doctoral degrees are eligible to apply for certification from the . People may choose to become certified because it indicates to others that professionals in the field have evaluated them and that their skills and practices have met national standards for applied and clinical sociologists.

Individuals who use their sociological education to pursue a career in social work must be licensed in most states and may require certification from the . Careers within healthcare and teaching similarly often require their own certification. This will vary from state-to-state, so students should research their state’s specific requirements for any career they are considering. 

Because sociology is a versatile degree, graduates can make a wide range of wages. Sociologists themselves make a median yearly pay of . State government positions used to pay the highest (currently around $102,760), but now grantmaking/giving services and social advocacy organizations have the highest median income in this field at $135,210. 

It's also true that many sociology majors end up in management, a category with high median pay of per year. Those who work in community and social services tend to earn far less, with a median annual salary of .

A sociology degree is probably worth it if you don't feel a strong pull toward a particular career. A sociology education makes you eligible for a variety of occupations without locking you into one career path. As the (ASA) writes, "the trick is to understand how to translate what you have learned into terms future employers find valuable." 

Enrollment in any degree program has its downsides, including high costs that can lead to student loan debt. But financial aid may help alleviate some of these costs, and on the whole, : People with college degrees typically earn higher wages than those without. If you are on a tight budget, consider our ranking list of the , which features the cheapest schools based on tuition costs.

All degrees are hard to some extent. But research has shown that we find subjects easier when we find them engaging and feel passionate about the content. So you might find sociology relatively easy if you're the kind of person who reads sociological texts for fun, but you may struggle if you'd rather be learning a wildly different subject.

We've gathered some links to consult as you consider a degree in sociology. These relate to sociology education, financial aid, careers, and professional development.

ASA pages

Open-access scholarly journals

Regional and topic-based sociology professional groups