Online Bachelor's in Sociology Program Highlights
- Gain valuable critical thinking skills and a greater understanding of how social structures form, evolve and influence individuals.
- Develop the interpersonal communication skills necessary to craft persuasive narratives.
- Build a versatile set of skills and knowledge, for which employers across all industries actively recruit.
- Earn a research-based sociology degree taught by the same published faculty within the Department of Sociology as the on-campus program.
- Transfer in your associate degree or other earned credit from accredited institutions.
- Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes.
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"UofL’s Department of Sociology is committed to helping students cultivate robust skills in critical analysis, articulate communication and nuanced problem-solving. A program like ours could equip you for diverse career pathways and enabling profound societal contributions."
Jonetta Weber, PhD
Advisor for Academic Programs in Sociology
Online Bachelor's in Sociology Outcomes
What Career Opportunities are Available for Someone with a Bachelor’s in Sociology?
The field of sociology interacts and permeates with many other fields, occupations, and industries. Sociology is an in-demand degree with employers as the graduates are equipped with the skills to combine effective critical thinking with an understanding of human behavior, efficient communication and conflict-management strategies.
Sociology graduates are well-prepared to pursue careers in fields such as:
- Social services
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Public relations
- Criminology
- Policy-making
- Education
- Public and private research
- Law
- Journalism
- Advocacy
- Community development
These careers can be found in profit, non-profit and government organizations.
Furthermore, a sociology degree can bring a lifelong benefit to your professional life. Since the sociology skillset is so versatile, you could enter a career field and, in the future, change career paths or effectively adapt to the chance of technology innovation changing your position. This also applies if you enter a career field you don’t find fulfilling. You’ll be prepared with the skills to more easily transition to a field that satisfies your personal and professional interests.
Will a Bachelor's in Sociology Prepare Me for a Graduate Program in Sociology or Social Science?
The curriculum of our online bachelor's in sociology—whether you choose the BA or BS—is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in sociological theories, research methods and critical analysis of social issues. Additionally, by engaging in advanced coursework, independent research projects, and/or opportunities for community engagement (internship/volunteer activities), you’ll be gaining valuable knowledge and skills to excel in graduate programs.
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Online Bachelor's in Sociology Application Deadlines
Preferred Application Deadline |
Term |
Start Date |
August 1 |
Fall |
August |
December 1 |
Spring |
January |
April 1 |
Summer |
May/June |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
How to Apply for the Online Bachelor's in Sociology
- Start your application for undergraduate admission
- Submit $30 non-refundable application fee
- Complete any checklist items listed on your Application Portal*
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: adetran@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Office of Admissions, Dept AO, Louisville, KY 40292
- Create a financial plan
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Online Bachelor's in Sociology Admissions Requirements and Materials
New Students and Transfer Students with less than 24 transferable credits from accredited institutions must have:
- a High school diploma from an accredited institution (GED or equivalent also accepted)
- a Minimum high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; AND for transfer students, a minimum college GPA of 2.0 (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
- a Composite ACT* score of 21 or higher (test optional admission is granted on a case-by-case basis)
Transfer Students with 24 or more transferable credits from accredited institutions must have:
- a Minimum college GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started an undergraduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
No ACT/SAT? Test-optional admissions are granted on a case-by-case basis and require a comprehensive review of high school transcript, including grades and college-preparatory courses. A personal statement may be requested during the admissions review process.
Transfer Credit
Students may transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from an accredited 4-year college. Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 to be admitted in good standing. Complete the credit transfer pre-evaluation to get an idea of how many credits you'll be able to transfer in toward your UofL bachelor's degree, and visit our General Transfer Student page for more details.
Are you a KCTCS student? KCTCS students can transfer completed associate degrees in their entirety and begin immediately with online upper level coursework at UofL. Visit our KCTCS Transfers Page for more information.
See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.
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Online Bachelor's in Sociology Courses
The online BA in sociology from UofL is a 122 credit hour program, with the following curriculum components::
- General Education (Cardinal Core) Requirements: 31 credit hours
- Arts & Sciences Requirements: 22 credit hours
- Sociology Required Core Courses: 18 credit hours
- Track Requirements: 51
The online BS in sociology from UofL is a 122-124 credit hour program, with the following curriculum components:
- General Education (Cardinal Core) Requirements: 31 credit hours
- Arts & Sciences Requirements: 13-15 credit hours
- Sociology Required Core Courses: 18 credit hours
- Track Requirements: 60
All courses are asynchronous and delivered in standard term length.
Online BA in Sociology Courses
General Education Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
General Education Requirements* |
31 |
The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education Requirement: |
|
SOC 202 Social Problems |
|
SOC 206 Social Justice |
|
SOC 210 Race in the United States |
|
Minimum Total Hours |
31 |
Arts & Sciences Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
GEN 100 Student Success Center First Year Experience OR
GEN 101 Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
|
1 |
Foreign Language 1
|
12 |
Electives in Humanities or Natural Sciences2
|
9 |
WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above3
|
|
Minimum Total Hours |
22 |
Program/Major Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
Department of Sociology - Required Core Courses |
18 |
SOC 201 Introduction to Sociology |
|
SOC 202 Social Problems4
or SOC 206 Social Justice
or SOC 210 Race in the United States
|
|
SOC 301 Introduction to Social Statistics7
|
|
SOC 303 Introduction to Research Methods 5,7
|
|
SOC 320 Social Theory5
|
|
SOC 323 Diversity and Inequality |
|
Track Requirements (see individual tracks for requirements) |
51 |
Graduation requirement or culminating undergraduate experience (CUE) requirement that’s fulfilled by completing SOC 400, SOC 405, SOC 406, SOC 410, SOC 415, SOC 425, SOC 435, SOC 440, SOC 450, SOC 454, SOC 455, SOC 464, SOC 470, SOC 472, SOC 480, SOC 499
|
|
Minimum Total Hours for Graduation |
121 |
Online BS in Sociology Courses
General Education Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
General Education Requirements* |
31 |
The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education Requirement: |
|
SOC 202 Social Problems |
|
SOC 206 Social Justice |
|
SOC 210 Race in the United States
|
|
Minimum Total Hours |
31 |
|
Arts & Sciences Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
GEN 100 Student Success Center First Year Experience OR GEN 101 Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
|
1 |
Foreign Language1
|
6-8 |
Electives in Humanities or Natural Sciences at 300-level or above 2
|
6 |
WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above 3
|
|
Minimum Total Hours |
13-15 |
|
Program/Major Requirements
Courses |
Credit Hours |
Department of Sociology - Required Core Courses |
18 |
SOC 201 Introduction to Sociology |
|
SOC 202 Social Problems4
or SOC 206 Social Justice
or SOC 210 Race in the United States
|
|
SOC 301 Introduction to Social Statistics 8
|
|
SOC 303 Introduction to Research Methods 8
|
|
SOC 320 Social Theory |
|
SOC 323 Diversity and Inequality |
|
Track Requirements (see individual tracks for requirements) |
60 |
Graduation requirement or culminating undergraduate experience (CUE) requirement that’s fulfilled by completing SOC 400, SOC 405, SOC 406, SOC 410, SOC 415, SOC 425, SOC 435, SOC 440, SOC 450, SOC 454, SOC 455, SOC 464, SOC 470, SOC 472, SOC 480, SOC 499
|
|
Minimum Total Hours for Graduation |
121 |
|
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Sociology majors may take no more than six hours of “Special Topics” courses in sociology to meet degree requirements.
At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.
Completion of the BS in sociology degree requires completion of SOC 303 and SOC 320 with a grade of C or better.
* All degrees require the completion of the university-wide General Education Program. Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.
1 Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on the language taken.
2 In addition to courses counted toward General Education.
3 May be incorporated into other degree requirements.
4 May be used to satisfy a General Education requirement.
5 SOC 350 may be used to satisfy this degree requirement depending on the appropriateness of its topic and with the department undergraduate advisor's approval. Other sociology electives may be substituted upon approval from the department undergraduate advisor.
6 In addition to courses counted toward general education.
7 Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.
8 Students may be allowed to substitute a statistics course for SOC 301 and/or a methods course for SOC 303 but must gain the permission from the Department of Sociology Undergraduate Advisor prior to doing so and must take a 300+ level sociology elective in lieu of the required sociology course. Students must also earn a C or better in the statistics and/or methods course from the other department for it to count it toward sociology degree requirements.
Course Descriptions
Online Bachelor's in Sociology Success Team
Online Bachelor's in Sociology FAQ
-
What are the benefits of online learning?
The biggest benefit of online learning is that you can work to earn your degree from your own home while raising a family, working full-time or experiencing particular life circumstances that make commuting to campus difficult or impossible.
-
How is the online program different than the campus program?
At UofL you are taught by the same world-class faculty as our on-campus students. You read the same books, do many of the same assignments and earn the same degree. Neither your transcript nor your diploma notes your degree was completed online, only that you completed courses at the University of Louisville. The biggest difference is that you are able to do coursework on your own time and in a way that best fits your learning and lifestyle.
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Can I receive credit for courses completed at another school?
On a case-by-case basis, credit transfer is allowed from an accredited university to fulfill general education requirements. See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.
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Is the Sociology Student Association (SSA) available for online students?
The Sociology Student Association encourages online students to join their fall/spring monthly meetings via Teams and participate, as they can, in any service activities or other events. Additionally, students are encouraged to join the international association for sociology — the American Sociological Association. Their Major in Sociology website links students to career information and guidance on professional development.
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I have never attended college (or I have earned less than 24 credits so far). Can I earn this degree online?
Yes, you may begin – or continue – your college degree at UofL by choosing a fully online degree.
-
Are courses taught by UofL faculty?
Yes, all sociology courses are taught by full- and part- time faculty who work in the Department of Sociology and also teach our on-campus sociology courses. In fact, most, if not all, of our part-time faculty in any given year are alumni of our graduate programs. As such, our instructors are already familiar with the UofL system and are committed to the success of UofL and its students.
Online Bachelor's in Sociology: BA or BS?
UofL’s online bachelor’s in sociology is available as both an arts and a science degree to help you get the experience that’s right for you. Use the chart below to begin determining which degree option fits your career path and goals.
|
BA in Sociology |
BS in Sociology |
Curriculum |
31 hours of general education requirements
22 hours of Art & Sciences requirements
18 hours of program/major courses
51 hours of track requirements |
31 hours of general education requirements
13-15 hours of Art & Sciences requirements
18 hours of program/major courses
60 hours of track requirements
|
Tracks |
Diversity and Inequality
Sociology of Culture
Non-track option
|
Health, Medicine, and Well-Being
Non-track option
|
Outcomes |
More emphasis on a foreign language, a valuable skill in today's globalized job market.
|
SOC 405 provides students with an opportunity to connect with local organizations and apply their degrees to societal issues through classroom instruction and a volunteer or internship experience.*
|
* SOC 405, while required for BS students, is also available to BA students.