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Graduate Fatima Pease talking to a young girl. With the text Fatima Salem Pease '19

Sociology Degree Online Bachelor of Arts (BA)

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Register By: June 24 Classes Start: June 26

Earn a Sociology Degree

  • $320/credit (120 credits)
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • Receive credit for prior learning
  • Experiential learning opportunities
  • Community health concentration option
  • No application fee or SAT/ACT scores required

Online Sociology Degree Program Overview

Develop and deepen your understanding of human behavior, social groups and society with an online bachelor's degree in sociology. In SNHU's Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology program, you'll delve into society's historical, economic and political issues and learn to solve real-world problems through experiential assignments, observation and case studies.

Earning your online sociology degree gives you the skill set to advocate for change by analyzing the interdependency of global cultures. You’ll study the complexities of human society, define and redefine the dynamic nature of the family and other social institutions, and learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively.

Even better, many of the courses take advantage of virtual experiences, from case studies to role-playing exercises, to combine theory and problem-solving skills in an authentic and innovative way.

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What You'll Learn

  • Sociological theory
  • Group behavior and social patterns
  • Research methods and assessment
  • Current social issues
  • Impact of social constructs, such as gender, race and nationality

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How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom, and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

How to Take an Online Class at SNHU

Southern New Hampshire University understands that everyone learns differently. That’s why our online degree programs are designed to provide a more flexible learning experience that fits your schedule and meets your needs. In this video, you’ll gain a better understanding of how the SNHU online class format works for the modern learner.

From logging in and accessing your courses, to viewing your schedule of assignments, participating in discussion boards, reviewing your grades and interacting with instructors and classmates, you’ll get a feel for what it’s like to take an online class at SNHU.

Concentration Options

Whether you choose the general sociology degree or the concentration in community health, you'll have the benefit of classes that weave together theory and practice – preparing you for meaningful work in an increasingly interconnected world.

Career Outlook

Want to become a sociologist?

While jobs with the title "sociologist" are typically reserved for those with graduate degrees, the bachelor's degree in sociology was created to give you knowledge and skills that can be applied to a variety of fields.

Dr. Carolyn Paul with the text Dr. Carolyn Paul"Sociology contributes to these fields as a knowledge base on how social and cultural factors impact people in different ways," said Dr. Carolyn Paul, sociology faculty lead at SNHU. "It also contributes expertise on research methodology and statistical analysis required in these fields."

Upon graduating, you'll be in a great position for employment in a range of fields, including social advocacy, community health and politics. With SNHU's online degree, you might seek employment in jobs such as:

Community Health Worker

Responding with culturally appropriate knowledge, you'll provide health education while connecting your community to services and advocating for their needs. You'll work directly with members of the community and service providers.

Social and Community Service Manager

Coordinate and supervise programs that provide populations with the services they need to overcome adversity. Employment is available in nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses and government agencies.

Health Policy Lobbyist

Serve as a public policy consultant, helping impact decisions made by lawmakers about healthcare policies at a city, state or even federal level. Many work for or with industry associations, insurance companies, hospitals, pharmaceutical makers and nonprofits.

Consumer Advocate

Stand up for the public's best interest by uncovering and exposing unfair or unsafe practices businesses engage in. You could find yourself working with industry associations, journalists and consumers.

Plus, your data gathering, analysis and research skills could make you a valuable asset to any number of jobs in a multitude of industries – like communications, human resources, management, marketing, public relations, public safety and even urban planning.

Earning your bachelor's in sociology is also good preparation to continue your education in a graduate program. At SNHU, you can pursue your master's degree in any of our dozens of programs, including subjects like clinical mental health counseling, psychology, criminal justice and public health.

Job Growth and Salary

Earning a sociology degree can open doors for you. That's because having a bachelor's – and a versatile skill set – can help you stand out as you search for a career.

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Job Growth

Community health workers may see a 12% increase in employment through 2031, while social and community service managers could see similar growth with a 12% increase in openings projected during that time. Sociologists could see 5% growth through 2031.1

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Salary

Sociologists made a median annual salary of $92,910 in 2021 – but those positions usually require at least a master's degree or even a PhD.1 Social and community service managers made a median $74,000 in 2021, while community health workers took in a median $46,590.1

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Sociology Degree

Kierra Coxwell

What SNHU Graduates are Saying

Kierra Coxwell '21

"Graduate schools have said I’m an excellent candidate and that SNHU has done a great job. This degree has given me a leg up when applying to grad schools. I have been accepted into every program I have considered."

Courses & Curriculum

The online bachelor's in sociology covers major theoretical perspectives and emphasizes the use of sociology to understand social inequalities. The degree courses at SNHU provide you with a background in world civilizations – from prehistory through current day – and a wide breadth of sociological studies to give you a well-rounded education. 

Examining patterns in areas such as class, gender, race, policy and institutions, your newfound sociological perspective will enable you to map the patterns in order to better understand social interaction. As you learn about religion, cultures, stereotypes and the relationship of social behavior to social conditions, you’ll be able to identify the needs of a particular community. With your degree in sociology, your ideas and efforts could make you an integral part of programs enacted to positively affect marginalized groups.

"Sociological Perspectives (SOC-325) has stood out to me the most," said Kierra Coxwell '21. "Not only is this a course I can use in daily life, but I find I use it academically as well. It has opened my eyes to different perspectives and issues we may come across, which makes it easier to understand all scenarios and people's reactions to them."

Kristin Baringer with text "Kristin Baringer"Coursework for the online sociology degree program includes a host of assignments that make abstract concepts applicable to real-world issues, including field experience and a capstone project.

Classes are taught by instructors with sociology experience, meaning you're gaining added value from the information they can provide.

"All the instructors that I had were wonderful," said Kristin Baringer '21. "They were knowledgeable and helpful....The instructors were so helpful and easy to get a hold of. You knew exactly what was expected of you."

Curriculum Requirements & Resources

General Education

All bachelor's students are required to take general education classes. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.

Technology Resources

We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

Earn Math Credits

Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment. For additional information, or to register for a Pathways to Math Success assessment, contact your admission counselor or academic advisor today.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Tuition & Fees

As a private, nonprofit university, we’re committed to making college more accessible by making it more affordable. That’s why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

We also offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Undergraduate Programs Per Course Per Credit Hour Annual Cost for 30 credits 
Degree/Certificates $960 $320 $9,600
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* $675 $225 $6,750

Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually. *Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

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