Online Sociology Degree Programs

Online Sociology Degree Programs

An online sociology degree provides students with a solid educational foundation to pursue careers in many different areas and foster success. Sociology involves many different disciplines in the social sciences field and a sociology degree educates students on human behavior and interaction and helps them develop the necessary skills to recognize trends and patterns, create concise essays and reports, effectively present information, analyze data, write efficiently, and carry out research. Read more about online sociology degree programs.

Some Stats

In 2006, there were 28,960 bachelor degrees, 1,545 master degrees, and 569 doctorate degrees conferred in sociology (1). Sociologists held 3,700 jobs in 2006(2).

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook varies greatly on discipline, degree, and position. Employment of sociologists is projected to grow about as fast as average for all professions from 2006 to 2016, increasing 10% and adding 400 new jobs (2). The average annual salary for sociologists with 1 to 4 years experience is between $25,434 and $48,904 (3).

Specialties

Sociology is a large field and many programs offer a variety of specialties to students. Sociology specialties include economic sociology, historical sociology, sex and gender, social psychology, social stratification, sociology of culture, sociology of population, industrial sociology, medical sociology, organizations and occupations, family, racial and ethnic minorities, race, gender, and class, political sociology, sociology of emotions and community and urban sociology. Students who are interested in a certain specialty should select a school that offers a strong program in that particular area.

What to Expect

Sociology is a broad science that covers a variety of social science disciplines. Undergraduate sociology degree programs prepare graduates for a diversity of careers in many different fields. Education requirements vary by degree and program, but most undergraduate degree programs require general education courses in areas such as English, history, math, science, writing, fine arts, and many different electives. Bachelor sociology programs typically include coursework in areas such as principles of sociology, social psychology, social problems, race and ethnicity, statistical analysis, social theory, sociology of education, social deviance, urban sociology, and sociology of business. Master degrees in sociology focus on research and analysis and require more advanced courses. Doctorate level programs focus on advanced theory and research and statistical analysis to prepare students for teaching positions.

The End Result

A sociology degree prepares students to follow many different career paths in a variety of areas such as education, business, government, administration, corrections, counseling, and public relations. Undergraduate sociology degree programs enable students to purse many entry-level and mid-level positions. Graduate degrees prepare students for higher level positions in areas such as research and teaching. Career options for sociology graduates include:

  • Sociologist
  • Sociology Researcher
  • Sociology Instructor
  • Sociology Analyst
  • Federal Investigator
  • Journalist
  • Politician
  • Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Field Organizer
  • Community Health Educator
  • Behavioral Specialist Consultant
  • Residential Analyst
  • Caseworker

A career in sociology will be rewarding for individuals who enjoy studying human behavior and interactions and how they are influenced by many factors. Sociology professionals use their knowledge and expertise and apply them to a variety of different fields.

(1) SOURCE: U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics
(2) SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition
(3) SOURCE: Payscale.com, Salary Survey Report