Bachelor in Sociology

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1. An Overview of Sociology
2. What a Sociology Curriculum Looks Like
3. What You Need for Admissions
4. What can you do with a Bachelors in Sociology
5. Sociology for Sociology’s Sake
6. Where Can You Work With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?

Society has had an influence on human behavior since the beginning of time, and with whatever progress that mankind has made, societal structures and human behavior has simultaneously grown more complex and evolved.
If you’re interested in societal issues and the effect that societal structures has on people, then you may be interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

An Overview of Sociology

Whether you choose to focus on a more scientific or objective perspective with a BS (Bachelor of Science) program, or wish to take an inter-disciplinary liberal arts approach with a BA (Bachelor of Arts) program, sociology offers potential students the chance to gain in-depth knowledge about human social behavior in all its diversity.
A bachelor’s in sociology degree, BS or BA, essentially helps students develop their critical thinking skills by learning about social structures and how these structures influence human behavior. Students may learn about various cultures in order to learn how different societies function in the world and how important social institutions such as marriage then take shape in these societies. Students may also learn how to apply sociological research methods to uncover different aspects of society as well.
Therefore, whether you’re discovering obscure religious traditions or understanding social cues amongst different genders, sociology is all about human interaction and everything in between.

What a Sociology Curriculum Looks Like

A sociology program usually lasts three or four years, during which time you may have to accumulate credit hours ranging from 90 to 130. Such a program may cover a wide range of topics such as social psychology, demography and political economy, as well as specific areas such as domestic violence and poverty.
The following sample list of a typical sociology major’s curriculum is mentioned below:

• Social movements
• Family and society
• Mass media
• Sociological theory
• Research methods
• Race and racism
• Crime
• Minorities
• Overpopulation

What You Need for Admissions

In order to apply for a bachelor’s degree program in sociology, the minimum admission requirement is generally a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) credential. And while there are no such requirements for having a background in sociology, you can always prepare yourself in high school by taking a sociology course or other related courses that could help you, such as economics, history, politics or English.

What can you do with a Bachelors in Sociology

The traditional opinion when it comes to bachelor degrees in sociology is that the career paths set for you are that of an academic professor or an applied sociologist. While these options in the academic world do exist as possible job opportunities, there are far more options now available for undergraduates, as they could also find jobs in the corporate, government, social service and non-profit worlds.
Sociologists may now be employed as consultants, statisticians and administrators as well as professors. The following list illustrates some of the different types of organizations that may hire sociology majors:

• Law enforcement and corrections
• Business and marketing
• Research and data analysis
• Education and counseling
• Medicine and health
• Social work, community services and human rights
• Public administration and policy

The reason such a wide variety of job opportunities are available for bachelors is that the degree has flexibility—undergraduates could learn essential skills that are applicable everywhere, such as research, analysis, as well as develop an approach that takes into account ethics and multiculturalism. They may be taught to think critically, write clearly, and give effective presentations, all while learning about various social issues. Employers and organizations depend on such useful skills for their operations to run smoothly and successfully.
However, a key reason behind the degree’s flexibility is that what you learn in sociology also involves many aspects of the human psyche:

• If you study work & organizations, you may be able to pursue a career in human resources, labor unions or employment/industrial relations.
• If you study criminal behavior and deviance, you may pursue careers in community based organizations, federal departments or the justice system.
• If you find that research and data analysis comes more easily to you, you may work in marketing, public relations or research organizations.
• If urban sociology, economic development, conflict and violence studies or health care disparities appeals to you, then you may find a position in social service, health care, regional planning or city governments.
• If you want to take your skills to an international level, you may specialize in globalization, racial and ethnic diversity and economic sociology.

Finally, considering that you may choose either a BS or a BA degree in sociology, the supplementary knowledge that bachelor students gain may be useful anytime in their future careers, whether it be from a scientific or a liberal arts perspective.

Sociology for Sociology’s Sake

What most people overlook is that a bachelor’s degree in sociology may be worth it even if you do not intend to become a sociologist. The subject matter itself is usually held to be extremely interesting, so much so that you could learn sociology for its own sake. In essence, the degree provides students an important perspective in the way the world works by generating new ideas and assessing the old. Therefore, if you value knowledge as well as flexibility in one’s career path, you may want to consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Where Can You Work With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?

A bachelor’s degree in sociology can lead to career opportunities in a number of private and public organizations. Here are some potential employers:

• Counseling and voluntary organizations
• Social services agencies
• Community and welfare organizations
• Schools and colleges
• Charity organizations
• Department of Corrections
• Public relations firms