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While anybody can still enter into an entry-level career in this field without formal training, getting an online Sociology Bachelor’s degree is the best way to help you boost your progress quickly as you move your way up on your career ladder.
Sociology programs are designed to give you the needed training in communication, research methods, and critical thinking so you can go after those top-ranking careers.
When you have a degree in sociology, not only will you develop the necessary skills in the field, but it will also equip you with the important credentials vital to success.
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The Lowdown
Online students can easily engage in a Bachelor of Sociology degree program to enhance their career options. A Sociology degree provides training in communication, research methods, and decision making and critical thinking skills that are essential in any career choice. Online Bachelor of Sociology majors can enjoy earning a lucrative living upon graduation.
Methodology
In today’s world, where everything is interconnected, coupled with a job market that rapidly changes over time, employers are looking for people with impeccable analytic problem-solving skills and the best written and verbal expression who can work sensibly with a diverse population.
Sociology online programs are designed to prepare students with the needed skills to intelligently and effectively contribute to the globalizing world.
In this list, we outline the country’s Best Online Sociology Degree Colleges. It features the degree program that stands out from the rest in terms of its features, such as stringent admission requirements to ensure only the most dedicated students, high-quality instruction, federal student aid assistance, and promising career outcomes for graduates.
You can take advantage of the same elite faculty as on-campus students through online programs.
These undergraduate degree programs are presented to provide prospective (and even current) students with ideas to make a sound decision and make the best pick! Earn your Bachelor’s in Sociology degree today!
Visit our Methodology page for more details.
Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s in Sociology
University of Florida
The University of Florida is a well-regarded, affordable school offering an online Bachelor’s in Sociology degree. Through the school’s instruction and coursework, students receive a liberal arts education that strongly focuses on diverse social causes and human behavior.
The classes are all administered online and are taught by the same instructors who are teaching on campus.
UF’s online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program trains students for success in different career paths: marketing, business, community, social services, human resources, public health, education, government, research, and criminal justice.
Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features
- Diverse and multi-faceted coursework
- Offers broad categories of sociological methods and theories
- Teaches about the development of social thoughts, principles of sociology, and methods of social research.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology
- Sociology Minor
Admissions:
- 0-11 college credits for Freshmen
- 12-59 credits for Lower Division Transfers
- 60 or more credits for Upper Division Transfers (this includes Associate of Arts degree holders)
- ACTs and SATs scores (for first-year students and lower-division transfers)
- Cumulative 2.0 GPS in all college coursework for higher division transfers
Financial Aid:
- Grants (also called gift aids) require no repayment and are awarded to qualified students who show the greatest financial need.
- Scholarships
- Student Employment
- Loans
- Organizations outside SFA administer Non-SFA Administered Aid, including State of Florida aid programs, academic scholarships, SFA Resource Center scholarships, and endowed scholarships.
What’s Unique About the Program:
- All classes are conducted as online degrees, 100%
- The lowest tuition fee among all online schools for this particular program
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University’s online Bachelor’s in Sociology is duly accredited and is suitable for very busy students who wish to have flexible education options. Its classes, which include 32 core sociology courses, are entirely delivered online.
Apart from the BS or BA Sociology degree, students can also take advantage of the school’s seven online certificate programs for a more intensive understanding of the topics related to sociology. Topics include community development, sociology of aging, and understanding non-profit organizations, just to name a few.
Location:
Hays, Kansas
Accreditation:
- Regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission
- Kansas Board of Regents
Program Features:
- Helps you obtain a deeper appreciation and understanding of society, culture, and community
- Examines and helps solve current and new social problems through evidence and theoretical-based techniques
- Innovative courses, both online and on-campus
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Admissions:
For Freshmen
- Cumulative 2.25 or higher GPA
- ACT composite of 21 or higher OR a minimum combined SAT ERW+M score of 1080
For Transfer Students
- Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA on all previous college work
- Must meet the freshman-qualified admissions requirements
Financial Aid:
- Departmental and General Scholarships
- Academic Opportunity Grants
- Special Out-of-State Scholarships
- Rudd Foundation Scholarship Program
- Schmidt Foundation Scholars
What’s Unique About the Program
- Although they offer online degrees, the school still provides its students with significant resources like research support, student organizations, and internship opportunities.
- Unique classes are available, like grant writing and case management, as well as degree tracks, including addiction counseling.
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University offers an inexpensive yet high-quality online degree through its Department of Sociology. Similar to the on-campus program, this online Sociology program is delivered via the Canvas Learning Management System.
It is taught asynchronously, enabling students and professors to interact online at their convenient time.
Location:
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Program Features:
Every student will learn and hone their:
- Research and Project Development Skills
- Analytical skills
- Interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
- Communication skills
- Human Resources skills
Course Options:
- Sociology (Online Bachelor of Arts)
Admissions:
For freshmen
- Application for Admission
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Official high school transcript
- Official SAT/ACT scores
- A 250-word personal statement telling who you are and why you wish to attend FSU
For applicants under 21
- Application for Admission
- Non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from university or college attended
- Joint Services Transcript (if applicable)
- Official high school transcript
Financial Aid:
- Grants
- Work-study
- Scholarships
- Loans
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Canvas Learning Management System utilized to deliver courses
- Programs are taught asynchronously
- Online students spend 5-6 hours weekly
- Evaluations are based on online discussions, participation in group projects, written homework, individual papers, examinations, and quizzes.
University of Texas Permian Basin
The online sociology bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Permian Basin can be completed in four years. With 120 credits composed of 34 major Sociology courses, the classes are delivered online.
Classes include an introduction to sociology, social determinants of energy use, introductory statistics, social stratification, social research methods, and women’s studies.
The UT Permian Basin is one of the West’s best regional universities, as ranked by The US News and World Report.
Location:
Odessa, Texas
Accredited by: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Program Features:
- The program is designed for those who have a keen interest in social justice and studies and for those concerned about inequality among a diverse population
- Explores human interactions in a group setting.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (online)
Admissions:
Incoming First-Year Students
- Official Transcripts from universities and colleges attended
- Official high school transcripts showing GPA, class rank, target graduation date, and GED scores
- ACT or SAT scores from within the last five years
- Completed application
Transferees
- Minimum of 24 transferable credit hours from an accredited university or college
- GPA of 2.0 or higher from your previous college-level course
- Official transcripts from all universities and colleges
- Completed application form
Financial Aids:
- Grants
- Loans
- Scholarships
- Work-Study
- Falcon Promise Program
What’s Unique About the Program
- Convenient and fully online degrees help you finish your coursework at your pace, regardless of your location.
- After finishing the degree, you will have the same valued degree as those campus-based students.
Central Methodist University
This is an inexpensive online sociology bachelor’s program that prepares students for graduate-level Sociology or working as an applied sociologist. The classes are all delivered online and include sexuality and gender, race and ethnicity in the US, introduction to sociology, social theory, data analysis, and research design.
Location:
Fayette, Missouri
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Program Features:
- Build in-demand skills, especially when you take Social Theory, Gender and Sexuality, Research Design and Data Analysis, Family Relationships and Values, World Cultures, Criminology, and Social Deviance.
- You can receive the needed preparations to earn an advanced degree
- You will develop a deeper understanding of the order of society
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology
- Sociology minors are also available
Admissions:
Incoming Freshman
- At least 2.5 cumulative grade point average
- 21 or above on the ACT of 1050 or above for SAT exams
Transfer Students
- Must have at least a 2.0 or higher GPA for all the college/university coursework previously taken
- High school records indicating class rank and GPA
- Official transcripts from universities and colleges attended
Financial Aids:
- Grants
- Work-Study
- Loans
- Adult Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grants
What’s Unique About the Program
- The online classes are either on an eight or sixteen-week program
- More convenient for busy and working adults
- The same high-quality instruction as the on-campus CMU courses
University of North Carolina Pembroke
This regionally ranked university offers an online bachelor’s degree in social sciences where students can choose from sociology or criminal justice.
Those who enroll in an online bachelor’s in sociology will learn from a wide range of topics about the field. They can also explore the current research methods and properly analyze and synthesize data and statistics.
Location:
Pembroke, North Carolina
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission Colleges
Program Features:
- The program features real-life and classroom experiences designed to encourage critical thoughts about the social environment.
- The department offers both an academic and major concentration in Sociology and a major in Criminal Justice. Minors are also available in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Medical Sociology, Substance Abuse, and Community Development.
Course Options:
- Sociology Academic Concentration
- Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts
- Sociology, Bachelor of Arts
- Criminal Justice Minor
- Gender Studies Minor
- Medical Sociology Minor
- Non-profit Leadership Minor
- Sociology minor
- Substance Abuse Minor
- Terrorism Studies Minor
Admissions:
For Freshman
- Four years of English
- Algebra I, II, Geometry, and one-year advanced math
- Three years of science (to include physical, laboratory, and biological science)
- Two years of social studies
- Two years of the same foreign language
- ACT or SAT Scores
Financial Aid:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Direct Student Loans
- Work-Study
What’s Unique About the Program
- Faculty have many years of experience working in criminal justice
- When you major in sociology, you are geared for any number of human and service-related positions
- Internship options are provided for criminal justice and sociology major students
Kennesaw State University
The online bachelor’s degree in the Kennesaw State University’s sociology program is designed to prepare students for budding careers and graduate school admissions.
Students enroll in different sociological classes that teach them critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and community awareness while becoming adept in data analysis and research.
The courses are all delivered online and include US cultural diversity, intersections of gender and race, human communication, social problems, and professional development for sociology students.
Location:
Kennesaw, Georgia
Accreditation: Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- Students can choose their area of concentration based on their area of interest.
- Courses are delivered online.
- The program prepares students to understand diversity, social change, and modernization.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Admissions:
For New Students
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 with qualifying test scores
- Four units of English, four units of Math, four units of science, three units of Social Science, two units of same Foreign Language, two units of USG-approved Computer Science, two units of American Sign Language
- SAT score of 500 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- ACT score of 18 for Reading or English; 18 for Math
Financial Aids:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal TEACH grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Direct Parent Loans
- Direct Student Loans
- Federal Work-Study
What’s Unique About the Program
- The program offers a specific concentration in the major and provides a solid background for graduate study in sociology and other related disciplines.
- Programs are 100% done online
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida’s online bachelor’s in sociology teaches you the critical thinking, analytical, and research skills needed so you can fully understand the complexities of human behavior. The program focuses on diversity and social inequality, law and deviance, crime, and so much more.
During the program’s whole duration, your appreciation of the human experience will be significantly broadened, while you will also learn to create innovative solutions to some of today’s modern problems.
Location:
Orlando, Florida
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- You will be completing a capstone project, so you will further delve into data interpretation, analysis, and integration.
- After graduation, you will be prepared with the right knowledge and skills as you enter specific fields, including research analysis, diversity training, human resources, victim advocacy, marketing research, event planning, and so much more.
Course Options:
- BA in Sociology
- BA in Communication and Conflict
- BS in Psychology
Admissions:
For transfer admissions:
- Official transcripts from schools you previously attended for all academic work.
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 at the last school attended, and an overall cumulative GPA for all college work
- Competency in a foreign language
- High school transcript and ACT and SAT (only for those with fewer than 60 credit hours)
- Two English composition courses
- Official course by course evaluation from Josef Silny and Associates
- Official IB, AP, AICE, Cambridge AS/A, and CLEP level score reports for exams taken
Financial Aids:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Waivers
- Federal Work-Study
What’s Unique About the Program
- Students are allowed to enroll in a 3-6 credit-hour internship every term, provided that the department coordinator approves it.
- You can earn 12 credits during the internship.
University of Nebraska
This online program is created to prepare students to make a huge difference in this world by studying social change, social life, social causes, and the consequences of human behavior.
Those who choose this online program are students with a great passion for advocating for all people’s well-being and dignity in a diverse society. You can also gain amazing analytical skills in the program, plus you will better understand different issues from a different perspective.
Location:
Kearney, Nebraska
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Program Features:
- This online learning program gives you the freedom and flexibility to attend your classes whenever and wherever convenient.
- The program helps you save money and time since you will no longer have to spend on travel costs or relocation expenses.
- Assignments can be completed in a certain timeframe.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Admissions:
- High school diploma
- Completed and submitted an online application for admissions
- $45 non-refundable application fee
Financial Aid:
- Federal Grants
- Loans
- Scholarships
- Work-Study Loans
What’s Unique About the Program
- Experienced faculty and staff who have embodied the right qualities as a result of years of research, professional, and field experience
- You can learn from faculty members who come from a variety of backgrounds.
- Most program instructors have published research in their fields.
CUNY School of Professional Studies
The BA in Sociology of CUNY School of Professional Studies prepares its students to seamlessly adapt and succeed in their respective career paths shaped by constant social change and an increasingly technologically driven labor market.
Through this online degree program, students can develop better communication and research skills to address the many challenges in a culturally diverse social world.
Location:
New York, New York
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Program Features:
- The program features methods on how each student can frame complex data and analyze the relevant data.
- Students will also study local and global inequalities, along with the impact posed on human lives.
- The program aims to explain the many effects of demographic transitions and immigration on social institutions.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Admissions:
For returning adult students:
- At least 24 earned credits earned from a regionally accredited school.
- Official transcript of records from previous universities, colleges, or proprietary schools you have enrolled since high school
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Personal essay (250 words) telling why you want to enroll in the program
- $70 non-refundable application fee
Financial Aids:
- Applicants are encouraged to file for FAFSA or TAP
What’s Unique About the Program
- The program has an articulation agreement between them and a two-year college or university wherein a student who wishes to transfer to CUNY with a maximum number of credits can easily transition to CUNY’s BA in Sociology program.
Tennessee State University
Undergraduate students will enjoy the online Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Tennessee State University, which combines humanistic and scientific perspectives to identify, explain, describe, and understand how social forces are connected and help shape who we are today, what we believe in, and how people behave as a general.
This online program is specifically designed for flexible scheduling options for students who cannot attend traditional campus-based classes.
Location:
Nashville, Tennessee
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- The program lets students acquire a better understanding of social institutions, their processes, and group behavior. It also instills strong analytical skills—something that is very valuable in today’s competitive business world.
- This online program is also perfect for those who have plans of enrolling in graduate or professional studies.
Course Options:
- BS in Sociology
Admissions:
For Freshman
- TSU is waiving SAT/ACT scores as a prerequisite for first-time first-year students for the Fall 2022 Semester
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Official High School Transcript
- Application processing fee of $25.
Financial Aids:
- PELL Grants
- Direct Loans
- Federal Work-Study
- Federal Perkins Loan
- TSU performance scholarships
- TSU departmental scholarships
- TSU Special Scholarships
- Third-Party grants/scholarships
What’s Unique About the Program:
- All online classes are delivered online and include 12 hours of sociology elective
- Courses include contemporary sociological theory, classical sociological theory, and introduction to social research, just to name a few.
University of North Alabama
The Department of Sociology and Family Studies of the University of Alabama offers an academic major in Sociology that leads to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree.
The program has five different areas, and depending on the career goals and interests of every student, a student can minor in history, management, family studies, political science, or marketing.
All the courses of their sociology degree are delivered online and include an introduction to sociology, current social problems, marriage and family, juvenile delinquency, parenting and socialization, and sociology of sexual and gender behavior.
Location:
Florence, Alabama
Accredited by: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Program Features:
- The program features 28034 credit hours of coursework.
- Before you can complete the degree, you must complete coursework to satisfy the school’s General Education requirement.
- There are academic concentrations available, although these are not required to complete a degree.
Course Options:
- BS in Sociology
- BA in Sociology
Admissions:
- Completed Undergraduate Application with a $35 non-refundable application fee
- Official high school transcript to be sent to the Office of Admissions
- ACT or SAT scores to be sent to the Office of Admissions
- Official transcripts if you have already taken classes for dual credit from another institution.
Financial Aid:
- Endowed Scholarships
- Work-Study
- PLUS Loan
- In-State Tuition
What’s Unique About the Program
- Since BA/BS Sociology at UNA is both campus-based and online, the professors in both mediums of studies are the same.
- Flexible coursework hours
Troy University
Troy University’s online sociology program teaches you how to analyze social issues critically. You can then draw and develop the research skills needed to study social problems like wage inequality or food insecurity.
This undergraduate online degree also offers you the chance to learn the different types of social topics like social institutions like health care systems or criminal justice, social inequality, or crime and deviance.
Location:
Troy, Alabama
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- Students will have the chance to have hands-on learning experiences during the internship program, perhaps in social services and the like.
- Everybody gets an opportunity to work in different settings like mental health agencies and prisons. These experiences will let the students take the skills they learn in the course and put them to the test.
- The program focuses on improving students’ best analytical skills in social interaction and writing.
Course Options:
- BS Sociology
- BS Sociology-Accelerated Law
Admissions:
First-time freshman
- 2.0 High School GPA
- 20 ACT OR 1030 RSAT
Transfer Students
- 2.0 TPA on a minimum of 12 semester hours from regionally accredited institutions
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended before transferring
Financial Aid:
- Work-Study Program
- Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS Loan
- Private Educational Loans
- Prepaid Affordable College Tuition
What’s Unique About the Program
- Students earn credits for pursuing graduate or professional degrees in law, business, education, social work, health and medicine, and counseling.
- Flexible class schedules
Bachelor’s in Sociology Curriculum
Sociological Theory
This sociology degree course examines the philosophical underpinnings of social theories and how they have evolved over time. Approaches to human nature, the structure and functioning of social groups; conflict, cohesion, social control, and the articulation of the individual and society are among the other topics covered.
Research Methods in Sociology
This Bachelor’s in Sociology course introduces learners to the research design and measurement techniques they will need in their future sociology careers. Students evaluate existing research, create a research project, collect data, and analyze it using SPSS Statistics.
Social Inequality
This online sociology degree program course looks at major theoretical approaches to studying social inequality and empirical research on wealth, income, race, and gender stratification.
Classical and contemporary sociological theories are covered in lectures and assignments and comparative analyses of the structure of inequality, the class structure in the United States, and global perspectives on poverty, wealth, and social mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sociology?
Are you fond of researching different trends and social issues? Maybe you are interested in working with others and understanding their behaviors.
Whatever it is, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Sociology is a good choice. Sociology offers you the necessary skills to become a counselor, a sociologist, or a social worker.
Concerned with studying society and human behavior and relationships, a Bachelor’s in Sociology program uses critical analysis and empirical investigation to fully understand social problems and changes within organizations, networks, or societies. Sociology is a very diverse subject matter.
This branch of Social Science covers anything from social class, race, crime and law, education, poverty, and more theoretical issues like radical changes in society. A sociological perspective is good to have!
What can you learn from a degree in Sociology?
A Bachelor’s in Sociology degree explores and analyzes human behaviors across different societies, normally from a global perspective. During your first year, you are introduced to political and social problems, along with many other issues revolving around contemporary sociology.
This will provide you with better opportunities to discover the vast aspects of this field that may be interesting to you.
In your second and third years, the modules become more specialized. Topics branch out across different topics like race and culture, gender equality, and politics.
Most universities today also teach social research skills that are later incorporated into the degree program. Some schools also allow students to choose from a wide range of modules to easily adapt to the program suitable to their interests and needs.
In the final year, you are to conduct sociological research to test the probing skills you learned during the course.
What can you do after graduation?
You can apply the research and analytical skills you learned to several career opportunities. Most sociology degree holders join the social sector in their community.
Others work in the charity or hospitality sectors. Counseling and therapy are also popular roles among sociology graduates because of their keen understanding of human behavior.
Some graduates prefer teaching, HR, journalism, and marketing as the industry they wish to join. Further postgraduate studies and research are also a wise move before going into jobs.
Careers in this field are in demand at a modest growth rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The career outlook for these jobs is said to grow roughly 5% between 2022 and 2032. And to top it all, one of these careers can give you a median annual salary as high as $98,590 on average.
The three careers listed below require the technical knowledge and applied skills students gain while pursuing an online sociology degree. These are just a few examples of possible careers for sociology graduates; there are many more.
Training and Development Specialists
These professionals plan and carry out programs aimed at increasing employee efficiency and productivity. Training and development professionals frequently assess needs through targeted surveys and evaluate existing programs based on their organization’s needs and desired outcomes.
Training specialists typically work full-time during regular business hours and occasionally travel to training sites or meet with potential clients. Most work for giant corporations and organizations, though some work as independent consultants.
Sociologists
Sociologists address pressing social issues by employing behavioral analysis and research skills. They frequently generate research projects to test theories, interpret data, and conclude using deductive and inductive reasoning techniques.
These professionals often work with other scientists, researchers, and policy experts to create solutions that benefit society and cultural institutions.
Sociologists usually work full-time in nonprofits, colleges and universities, and other socially conscious organizations. A master’s degree or a Ph.D. in sociology is required for the majority of sociologists.
Survey Researchers
Survey researchers are typically employed in government, business, and social services, where they conduct surveys and analyze data such as demographic information and public opinion polls using statistical software.
Some survey researchers begin their careers with only a bachelor’s degree in sociology or social science that includes statistics coursework. Many positions, however, necessitate advanced training and a graduate degree.
Key Takeaways
- Do you need a program that is convenient and provides more flexibility for your busy lifestyle? Online learners find the distance learning approach is just right for them. Bachelor’s degree programs in Sociology are available online.
- Earning a Sociology degree will allow for many career opportunities.
- An online Bachelor’s in Sociology degree is a great choice for those who are not yet certain about their career goals as it promotes research and communication skills, sociological theories, and statistical analysis relatable to your personal and professional interests and everyday lives.
- Sociology students can pursue careers as a Sociologist, Community Service Manager, or Training and Development Specialist. Often, graduates earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology become Social Workers, Policy Analysts, Public Relations, Community Health Workers, or work in some realm of social services.
- Are you short of a few credits for getting your bachelor’s degree? Maybe an online degree completion program in Sociology is the answer!
- Begin earning your Bachelor’s in Sociology today! What’s next? Earn your master’s degree!
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