Is Sociology the right major for you? Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors! The required and elective courses you would take for Sociology majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field. As a graduate with a sociology degree, you will have a foundation for better understanding and engaging with the globalizing world.
You will be equipped with the tools needed to make sense of the shifting social world and contribute solutions to difficult social problems. UC Davis students and alumni should connect with the Internship and Career Center ICC to learn more about career options and job opportunities and how to market the skills learned from the sociology major to an employer.
Given the breadth, adaptability and utility of studying sociology, employment opportunities abound for graduates who have an A. The following list of possibilities is only illustrative — many other paths may be open to you and additional education or training may be required. Careers in Sociology, a publication of the American Sociological Association , identifies these employment sectors:.
Ohio houses colleges and universities and recently introduced initiatives for four-year institutions to build skill levels for college graduates entering the workforce.
Sociology researchers and teachers can expect to find the most career options in the Columbus metropolitan area. Sociologists looking for an affordable lifestyle and fulfilling careers should consider Missouri. Missouri has the eighth-lowest property tax rate and fourth-lowest cost of living in the U.
Joplin holds the lead as the most affordable city in the state, and Kansas as the most expensive. The state's 6 million residents benefit from its superior transportation system, infrastructure, and diversified economy.
Sociologists possess the research and applied skills needed by many of Missouri's fastest-growing employers, which include technology industries, professional services, and social assistance.
A center for higher education and research, Missouri's state system supports 13 public universities, 14 public two-year colleges, one public technical college, 26 private colleges and universities, and more than private career-oriented and for-profit schools.
Maryland's economic growth has outpaced the national rate, expanding employment in professional services, technology, and education. The state has 60 federal agencies and over 50 higher education institutions, offering potential career opportunities for sociology researchers and educators. Maryland's racial and cultural diversity also attracts sociologists seeking positions in government, as well as social and community services.
The state's median household income outpaces the national median income, and job growth has risen to sixth in the nation. While sociologists can expect a favorable career and salary outlook, they should also recognize that Maryland has an exceptionally high cost of living.
As one of the most expensive states in the country, its house, rental, and transportation costs rank well above the national average. As Michigan's economy rebounds following several years of decline, job prospects for sociology professionals have brightened. The auto industry is recovering from steep overseas competition and remains among Michigan's top employers, but in recent years, has been overshadowed by the growth in government and education. Government agencies provide employment opportunities for sociology researchers with training in statistics and policy analysis.
Michigan has over colleges and universities, including some of the nation's top schools. The state has sponsored recent initiatives to boost postsecondary education and increase the number of college-educated workers.
The cities of Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Detroit offer the highest concentration of jobs in the state. Arizona has a population of 6. The state also has the sixth-highest percentage of Native Americans and the sixth-largest Hispanic population in the U. Arizona's expanding economy offers career opportunities and higher salaries for sociologists in educational and research fields.
The cost of living remains relatively low across the state, but higher than average in Phoenix, the state capital and largest city. Georgia offers sociologists challenging career prospects and relatively high salaries.
Residents of the state earn an average personal income that is higher than in most other southern states. As the state grows more diverse, state leaders must address racial and ethnic disparities in postsecondary education. The number of jobs in the state requiring a college degree already exceeds the supply of college graduates.
Sociology researchers and postsecondary educators have a role to play in statewide efforts to build a diverse and college-educated workforce.
Utah's natural beauty and affordable quality of life attract growing numbers of sociologists. The state boasts a median household income much higher than the rest of the U. Salt Lake City, the largest urban area in the state, ranked 15th on U. Utah has one of the youngest populations in the country -- one-third of its residents are under the age of Hispanics, African-Americans and Native Americans comprise the youngest population groups in the state.
These demographic shifts impact education and employment. Job growth that is much faster than average drives enrollment at Utah's 24 public and private colleges and universities. State leaders have begun to address ways to increase participation of college degree holders in the workforce. These trends create a favorable employment environment for postsecondary sociology educators. The state's rapidly expanding technology industries also generate career options for research-oriented sociologists.
Postsecondary sociology educators can find employment in the state's 20 public and private universities and in the expanding social assistance, professional management, and public administration sectors. Hawaii's median household income ranks well above the national average, and unemployment remains the lowest in the U.
The state offers its residents exceptional healthcare quality and the nation's lowest mortality rate. However, Hawaii is the least affordable state in the U. Utilities, especially electricity, cost much more than in other states, and house prices are the most expensive in the U. Despite these economic challenges, Hawaii continues to draw new residents attracted by its diversity of cultures and island lifestyle.
Maine's leading economic sectors, including social assistance, professional services, government, and education, provide the best options for job seekers with backgrounds in sociology. Postsecondary sociology teachers can find faculty positions at the state's seven public colleges and universities, and its 21 private schools.
Maine's commitment to sustainability and increasing opportunities in the technology sectors also translates into career opportunities for research-oriented sociologists.
The cost of living remains relatively high and the state's median household income falls below the national average. However, Maine has more affordable housing than other states in New England. It ranks high on quality of life indices, such as air and water quality, and social indicators like community engagement, making it an attractive location for sociology professionals and practitioners.
Washington has 7 million residents, with a projected population growth of about 2 million by Racial and ethnic minorities have grown faster than the white population, with Asians as the fastest growing group.
This population boom has spurred job and salary growth for sociologists. Washington's median household income stands well above the national average, and the state does not collect personal income taxes. However, the cost of living ranks significantly higher than the national average, and living expenses vary considerably across the state.
Seattle remains the state's most expensive city with the least affordable housing prices, and the most affordable prices are in Spokane and Centralia.
Wisconsin has a population of 5. Sociologists generally find the best employment prospects within these urban areas in government, social services and research, and with the state's 88 institutions of higher education. However, budget cuts have impacted higher education jobs in recent years, and job growth across all sectors continues to lag behind other states. Housing and rental costs remain lower than in neighboring states, while utilities and healthcare expenses run slightly higher.
Wisconsin's median household income has remained on par with the national level. Arkansas has a population of just under 3 million, and the state has experienced fairly stable economic growth in line with the rest of the country. The field of education, one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the state, provides the best career options for sociologists. Arkansas has over 40 institutions of higher education, including 10 four-year universities, 22 two-year colleges, and two private universities where sociology teachers may find faculty positions.
The cost of living in the state stands as the third lowest in the nation. Do your homework before choosing a sociology program. Pay attention to the school's accreditation status, program rankings, and reputation. With so many options for on-campus and online sociology degrees , ask yourself what works best for you. Are you planning to attend full time, or do you need a flexible, part-time schedule that allows you to keep working or handle your family obligations?
Sociology covers a broad range of issues, but many programs emphasize a specific focus. Do the courses and specializations reflect your interests and career goals? Does the program require a capstone course, an internship, or an independent research project or thesis?
The best sociology programs provide prospective students with information about the number of graduates who found employment or how many have gone on to earn graduate or professional degrees.
Cost represents one of the most important considerations in selecting a program. Tuition rates vary considerably between public and private institutions. The school's location also contributes to the cost. Some online programs may require you to travel to campus for in-person residencies.
If you select a traditional campus-based program, do you plan to commute or live in an apartment or a student residence? Can you rely on public transportation, or do you need a vehicle? Check out the cost of living, food and gas prices, and housing expenses where your intended school is located. If you know you must work while attending school, ask about work-study or other on-campus job opportunities. What are the possibilities for off-campus employment?
Students should understand the importance of earning their degree from an accredited institution. Independent accrediting agencies evaluate schools to ensure that they deliver quality education. The majority of accredited schools receive regional accreditation; institutions with lower tuition rates and less restrictive admissions policies may opt for national accreditation. Find out if your intended school has been awarded accreditation at the national or regional level, and if the sociology degree has earned programmatic accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology CAPACS.
Programs or departments within a school that already received accreditation may seek programmatic accreditation. This specialized designation recognizes quality programs in applied, clinical, and public sociology, and sociological practice. While CAPACS accreditation may be a factor when choosing your program, especially if your career goals are in clinical and applied sociology, keep in mind that relatively few sociology programs have earned this designation.
Students who intend to enroll at a traditional brick-and-mortar college right after high school should begin researching different schools as soon as 11th grade. While most schools set application deadlines for February of senior year, students can apply as early as the summer after junior year.
Each school sets its own admission requirements. While many on-campus programs consider SAT or ACT scores, most schools give considerable weight to overall academic performance, co-curricular service, and other factors. Because online programs often target admission at working professionals or others who have been out of school for a while, their admissions requirements may not require standardized tests or a minimum GPA.
While program requirements vary by school, most sociology degrees consist of a core set of courses in social theory, research methods, socialization and society, social inequality, and social change.
As students progress through the major, they may choose from elective courses and concentrations that align with their interests and career goals. Because sociology covers such a broad range of topics, each program offers a different approach, depending on the expertise of the faculty.
While a common curriculum does not exist, many sociology degrees require foundational courses in sociological theory and research methodology.
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