What career opportunities are there 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 this bachelor’s in sociology prepare me to become a sociologist?

This is the first stepping stone to reach that goal. With your undergraduate degree in hand, you can go on to pursue the advanced education you need to become a sociologist. Sociologists design and perform research projects regarding social issues to deliver analyses for policymakers, research facilities, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a sociologist is $86,110 per year (bls.gov).

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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.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete undergraduate application
2. Submit $25 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended
4. Check for Scholarships

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Admission Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school
• GED or equivalent by petition (e.g., home school education)
• Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher
• Composite ACT score of 20 or higher
• Completion of pre-college curriculum
• Completion of Sociology 301 (or an approved equivalent) with a grade of C or better

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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The online bachelor’s in sociology from UofL is a 121 credit hour program that follows the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences:

1. Cardinal Core requirements – all undergraduate degrees require completion of the university-wide Cardinal Core Program (31 credit hours)
2. Arts & Sciences programmatic requirements (22 credit hours)
3. Sociology core and elective courses (39 credit hours)
4. Electives in social sciences (29 credit hours)

Arts & Sciences Programmatic Requirements: 22 hours

Core Program Courses: 39 hours

Supporting Courses: 29 hours

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Course Descriptions

• 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.

• 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.

• I noticed that the Department of Sociology offers both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Can the Bachelor of Science in Sociology also be completed fully online?

  No, at this time only the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology will be offered fully online. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology requires an internship-type course that includes an in-class component, so completing the BS online is not currently an option for fully online students.

• Is the Sociology Student Association (SSA) available for online students?

  Unfortunately, the SSA meetings and activities are campus-based. However, you are encouraged to join the international association for sociology - the American Sociological Association. Their Student Forum website links students to career information for sociology majors, networking possibilities, and invitations to upcoming events.

• 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. As such, our instructors are already familiar with the UofL system and are committed to the success of UofL and its students.