Sociology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Sociology major studies societies, groups, institutions and social change. Sociology majors study social structure, inequality, families, communities and research methods.

A Sociology major includes coursework in introduction to sociology, social theory, research methods and statistics, race, class and gender, and urban and community studies and more. You build skills such as research and data analysis, writing, cultural awareness, and critical thinking. Typical degrees: bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Typical courses include introduction to sociology, social theory, research methods and statistics, race, class and gender, urban and community studies, and deviance and social control. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Sociology is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In the latest federal data, 29 colleges reported certificate awards, 182 colleges reported associate awards, 855 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 199 colleges reported master’s awards, and 110 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to sociology include survey researcher, sociologist, social and community service manager, human services assistant, social science research assistant, urban planner, and fundraiser. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include survey researcher (typical training: 2 years after a bachelor’s), sociologist (typical training: 2–6 years after a bachelor’s), social and community service manager (typical training: 4 years + under 5 years of experience), human services assistant (typical training: 1–4 weeks on the job), social science research assistant (typical training: Entry-level with a degree), and urban planner (typical training: 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)).

Sociology majors build skills such as research and data analysis, writing, cultural awareness, critical thinking, and survey design.

Good pairings include Data Analytics (strengthens research and data skills), Criminal Justice (applies sociology to crime and justice), and Public Health (connects social conditions to health).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as survey researcher, sociologist, and social and community service manager, and enjoy subjects like introduction to sociology and social theory. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes introduction to sociology, social theory, and research methods and statistics; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

1,041 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (176), New York (74), Texas (67), Pennsylvania (51), and Massachusetts (42), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

862 of the colleges that offer sociology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Sociology studies societies, groups, institutions and social change. Psychology studies how people think, feel, learn and behave. Sociology leads to careers such as survey researcher and sociologist, while Psychology leads to careers such as psychiatric technician and human services assistant.

Sociology studies societies, groups, institutions and social change. Social Work prepares you to help individuals, families and communities facing challenges. Sociology leads to careers such as survey researcher and sociologist, while Social Work leads to careers such as social worker and healthcare social worker.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to sociology, such as Survey Researcher Training.