How long is a sociology degree

The length of time it takes to earn a sociology degree varies, depending on your personal educational aspirations and career goals. Personal circumstances and obligations such as family, finances and work commitments will also affect the length of time required to complete your degree. A thorough self-evaluation will clarify your decisions regarding the type of sociology degree program that best suits your needs and the length of time it will take to earn your degree.

An associate degree in sociology enables you to grasp the basic fundamentals of sociology. Generally, an associate degree takes two years or four semesters to complete.

Choose the checklist for the year you began your study. These checklists do not provide official confirmation of your eligibility to graduate. To find out which courses you have already completed toward your degree, use the Degree Progress Report. For more help, contact your academic advisor. With the three-year Bachelor's, students acquire a comprehensive overview of the field of Sociology.

Key courses include introductory research methods, theory and a foundation course in a substantive field. The 4-year Honours BA offers students a more in-depth experience of sociological research and inquiry. Third-year requirements allow you to develop your knowledge of methods and theory, and fourth-year seminars provide opportunities for in-depth inquiry and specialization.

In the required level Sociology research capstone class, students conduct their own research project and write a senior thesis. This degree offers an even better preparation for grad school and many professional careers that require research skills. This course explores macro-level and micro-level theories that explain the experiences of racial and ethnic groups, emphasizing a critical race perspective and the ways that individual perceptions and interactions across racial and ethnic groups relate to structural patterns.

This course aligns with the career goals of students interested in policy analysis and research in government and nonprofit agencies. This introduction to the study of gerontology applies a sociological perspective to the study of aging and the aged.

Students analyze issues unique to an aging population, including demographic trends, retirement, and healthcare, through a life course methodology.

Gerontology can lead to career opportunities in healthcare, advocacy, and social work administration assisting the elderly.

This course surveys social service systems and the major fields of practice within the profession of social work, including child and family welfare, juvenile delinquency, health and occupational social work, and criminal justice.

This course helps students prepare for entry-level positions in social services and provides a foundation for graduate work in social work and related fields. This examination of the structural roots of gender-based violence covers domestic abuse, sexual assault, harassment and workplace abuse, hate crimes, law enforcement abuse, international violence, and gender-focused genocide.

The course requires participation in anti-violence training and organizing, where students acquire skills to work as victim advocates and domestic abuse counselors. The study of inequality examines social theories and empirical analysis of class, wealth, income, age, race and gender inequality, and stratification.

Students explore historical and comparative analyses of structural inequality; the U. This course helps students prepare for career paths in policy research and community organizing. A sociology degree generally takes four years of full-time study.

Most programs require credits, or about 40 courses. Several factors affect the length of time to complete a bachelor's degree. Students should consider whether they can attend classes full time or part time. Some students can maintain continuous enrollment over the course of eight semesters while others may have periods of nonattendance or opt for one or more semesters of part-time coursework.

Full-time status usually requires 12 hours each semester, but students must take more than this minimum if they want to graduate in four years. Students with work and family commitments may prefer the flexibility of an online degree. Some online programs offer accelerated degrees that students may complete in 18 months to two years. Students may shorten the time to complete a degree by bringing in transfer credits from other colleges or high school AP courses that exempt them from required or introductory courses.

The cost of an undergraduate education continues to increase. According to the National Center for Education Statistics NCES , first-time, full-time undergraduates at both public and private nonprofit four-year institutions paid higher average tuition and fees in than in Many factors impact the overall cost of a sociology degree.

Each college determines its tuition pricing differently. Students should consider whether programs at public institutions offer better value than private schools. They should compare out-of-state tuition rates to the cost of attending an in-state school. Students should also research expenses for books and supplies, room and board, food, and transportation.

When selecting colleges, research the cost of living in the communities around campus. Does your intended school offer on-campus work-study opportunities? What about the outlook for off-campus employment? Make sure to investigate financial aid.

Should you apply for a student loan, or do you qualify for any aid in the form of scholarships or grants? Currently, only applied and clinical sociologists with advanced degrees may seek certification credentials. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in sociology working in social services or criminal justice positions may sometimes apply for specialized licensure or certifications in fields like addictions counseling and conflict mediation.

This certification, awarded by the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology AACS , establishes standards of excellence in sociological practice and recognizes the accomplishments of experienced sociological practitioners who work in the fields of applied, clinical, or engaged public sociology.

Applicants must hold a master's or doctoral degree in sociology and provide substantial documentation of their contributions to applied practice. The AACS awards this certification to sociologists who demonstrate active engagement in the application of sociological perspectives to the analysis and design of intervention for positive social change. Sociologists working in clinical settings with a master's or Ph.

This useful social science information site, maintained by the University of Amsterdam, provides links to international data archives and research centers. It hosts a comprehensive listing of subject areas in sociology that includes annotated bibliographies and study guides.

This annual report presents case studies, analysis, and recommendations on all aspects of global economic development. Recent reports considered issues related to healthcare delivery, economies in transition, and environmental challenges. Geared toward students and educators, this entertaining and informative blog presents sociological perspectives on current news events and social problems. Sociologists from across the U. This Twitter feed provides news and commentary on current events, and links to research and policy statements relevant to sociologists and students.

It often reports on controversial topics but attempts to stay grounded in sociological theory and based in fact. Sociology students should explore employment and graduate study possibilities long before they finish their degree.

Joining a professional organization as an undergraduate provides an excellent opportunity to network with aspiring and established sociologists, learn about careers and internships, and stay current about developments in the field.

Professional associations for sociologists embrace many specialized interests by sponsoring networking events and conferences. Student members can take advantage of their job banks, resume services, and career development resources. ASA serves over 13, members. It sponsors an annual academic conference, hosts an extensive resource site providing information on careers, professional development, and graduate training, and maintains a job bank.

ABS promotes the interests of African American sociologists. It works to increase the number of professionally-trained black sociologists and advocates to expand their participation throughout the discipline. The association hosts an annual conference and maintains a job bank for its members. This interdisciplinary association brings together sociologists interested in research, social policy, and social action. Undergraduate and graduate members have access to annual meetings and applications for research support and conference travel grants.

ISA members include practicing sociologists from across the world. It sponsors networking and professional development opportunities and offers several publications to keep its members abreast of the latest research. This organization promotes women in sociology by encouraging scholarship, career development, and institutional diversity.

It offers a mentoring program and publishes Gender and Society, a peer-reviewed journal focused on the study of gender across global and transnational spaces. View the most relevant school for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to find your college home. Should I Get a Bachelor's in Sociology?

Best States for Sociologists 3. How to Choose a Bachelor's in Sociology Program 4. Bachelor's in Sociology Program Admissions 5.

Resources for Sociology Students. Ready to start your journey? Share on Social. Attend college in San Francisco to live and study in this unique and culturally rich city. Explore the very best colleges in San Francisco. We've rated the best colleges in San Diego. Learn about the city's educational opportunities, culture, climate, economy, and cost of living. Members have access to conferences, mentoring opportunities, and online resources.

Students enjoy a membership discount. Sociologists for Women in Society. SWS focuses on sociological feminist scholarship and theory.

Members have access to leadership training, career development opportunities, and cutting-edge information in the field. International Sociological Association. ISA represents over 4, sociologists from nearly countries. Members have access to research committees, online journals, newsletters, and discounts on sociology-related books.

Accreditation indicates that a school meets high standards with respect to factors like faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Schools may hold regional or national accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two. Six agencies grant regional accreditation to schools around the country, depending on where the school is located.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. Only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited institutions. Additionally, many professional licenses and certifications require an accredited degree.

Certain programs within a school may also hold accreditation. People fascinated by human behavior, diversity, and social change gravitate toward a degree in sociology, which teaches them how to make a positive impact on communities. Students who enjoy helping and working with people may find this degree easier than students uninterested in human dynamics. A sociology major particularly benefits students who are committed to being active and informed citizens who initiate positive changes in society.

Are you ready to discover your college program?