Sociology Degree Online BA Program

In the simplest terms, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. The American Sociological Association (ASA) describes a sociologist as someone who investigates the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts.²

Dr. Carolyn Paul, a sociologist and faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University, said that sociology is a field of study not well understood and often confused with psychology.

“While psychology receives a great deal of attention from the media, sociology does not,” Paul said.

A broad social science, sociology is the study of human societies and the wide array of groups existing within them. Sociologists study the way society develops and functions on both large and small scales. From national government and cultural norms to local politics and family values, sociologists analyze the who and why of our society.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, sociologists typically do the following:¹

• Design research projects to test theories about social issues
• Collect data through surveys, observations, interviews and other sources
• Analyze and draw conclusions from data
• Prepare reports, articles or presentations detailing their research findings
• Collaborate with and advise other social scientists, policymakers, or other groups on research findings and sociological issues

Many people with a sociology background become postsecondary teachers and high school teachers (teaching licensure may be required). Others may find work in jobs related to sociology, such as policy analysts, demographers, survey researchers and statisticians.¹

Sociology and social work are often considered part of the same field, but there are some significant differences between the two career paths.

Sociology is the study of human society and social behavior. Sociologists research society’s cultural, economic and political issues and work to apply their research to solve real-world problems.

Social workers typically work in mental health clinics, human services agencies and public health organizations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹ They help people solve problems in their everyday lives and help them cope with mental, behavioral and emotional issues.

A sociology degree can help lay a foundation for a career in social work, but most social work jobs will require additional training and credentials. Clinical social workers typically need a master’s degree in social work, 2 years of experience in a supervised clinical setting and a social work license from their state.¹

Yes, you can earn your sociology degree online from a number of universities.

At Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), our online sociology programs are designed with affordability, flexibility and achievement in mind. With six 8-week terms per year, you can complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace.

SNHU's online courses have no set class times or login requirements. With weekly assignments, planning around your busy life is in your hands. You can attend class when it’s convenient for you – whether that’s at noon or midnight.

As an online student, you’ll have access to expert instruction, networking events and real-world learning opportunities. Online discussion forums within your courses will allow you to share ideas, engage with your peers and have your questions answered by instructors.

When it comes to support, our students think we deliver. Klupshas '15, like many other students, tried taking classes at two other universities before finding her place at SNHU.

"Every [academic] advisor took a personal interest in my accomplishments, the classes I selected," Klupshas said. "Each one of them has taught me different things and just showed me that this is what an advisor is supposed to be. They're supposed to be checking up on you, and following you and making sure you're comfortable."

Here, the online experience of students goes even further than earning a degree. SNHU offers clubs and student organizations for online students, as well as career counseling services to help you turn your sociology degree into a career.

A bachelor’s degree in sociology can prepare you for a broad range of career opportunities as you collect and analyze data and apply your research to solving real-world problems. With an optional degree concentration in community health, you can explore national and global health trends and use this learning to help inform public health policy.

No matter which sociology degree you choose, you’ll be ready to serve the public good in a range of settings. Some available jobs for sociology majors include:¹

• Sociologist: Design research projects to explore social issues and collect and analyze data to better understand groups of people, culture and societal norms. (Note: This position typically requires a master's degree.)
• Community health worker: Teach people about behaviors that can improve the health of individuals and communities and provide a link between a community and healthcare services.
• Social and human service assistant: Help determine the type of aid clients need while working with other support professionals and community organizations to coordinate services and support.
• Social and community service manager: Coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations, managing workers who provide social services and analyzing data to review the effectiveness of services provided.

A master's degree is up next for Kierra Coxwell '21.

She finished her bachelor's degree faster than she thought she would. "Now I can graduate with a master's in the same time it would have taken me to get a four-year degree," Coxwell said.

It depends. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers some of the most affordable online tuition rates in the country.

At $342 per credit hour for undergraduate programs, SNHU's 120-credit bachelor's in sociology has a total tuition cost of $41,040. If you've completed college courses in the past, you may be able to save money by transferring up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree.

That was what initially attracted Kristin Baringer '21 to the program.

"I could apply all my transfer credits without losing them," she said, also noting that the low online tuition made the program even more achievable.

In the end, the actual cost of your degree will vary based on the courses you take and the materials they require. While SNHU’s online degree programs aim to make use of free resources whenever possible – including ebooks, websites and training videos – some courses will require textbooks.

Sociology is classified as liberal arts, and you’ll earn a bachelor of arts (BA) degree as a sociology major.

Liberal arts is used to define a number of university majors, including literature, mathematics and social sciences, like sociology. Liberal arts subjects are intended to give you general knowledge on a subject, rather than technical skills.

In a bachelor of arts program like sociology, you’ll focus on building key critical thinking, problem-solving, research and communication skills, in addition to gaining degree-specific knowledge.

A bachelor’s degree in sociology can give you the soft skills and industry knowledge you need to succeed in a broad range of master’s degree programs.

Earning a sociology degree with a community health concentration could prepare you for a master’s degree in public health, allowing you to use your understanding of human behavior to impact local, national and global health policy.

The research and critical-thinking skills gained in a sociology bachelor’s degree can also help prepare you for a Master of Business Administration online or on campus, with concentrations including public administration, project management and leadership.

If you want to work hands-on to improve the lives of people living in a community, a master’s degree in social work could be a good fit, and a background in sociology is a strong foundation for a social work master’s degree.

Sociology is an incredibly rewarding field with many opportunities to make a difference. Not only will studying sociology help you better understand the forces that shape your own life, but you will also be better prepared to deal with these forces and look more objectively at our society and others.

"After taking a humanities class my first term, I fell in love with the social sciences and their purpose," said Kierra Coxwell '21. "Many people feel they graduate college and still know nothing. I know that I’ve learned and retained information because I find myself applying it to society in my daily life and often catch myself explaining it to others."

Regardless of what your career will be, studying and understanding society and human interactions is a skill that more people need to have. Sociology provides us with a more holistic understanding of why people do what they do and how systemic changes can improve the quality of life for all people.

Though it’s important to keep in mind most sociology jobs do require a master’s degree or PhD, the median annual wage for sociologists was $101,770 in May 2023. What’s more, the employment of sociologists is projected to grow 5% through 2032 – making it a desirable field to enter.¹

Sociologists will continue to be needed to apply sociological research to other areas. For example, sociologists may collaborate with researchers in other social sciences, such as economists, psychologists and survey researchers to study how social structures or groups influence policy decisions about health, education, politics, criminal justice, business or economics.