2024 Top Online Schools for Sociology
Scroll down to see the top not-for-profit colleges offering sociology degrees online.
Want to see the most affordable Sociology degrees? View them here
Scroll down to see the top not-for-profit colleges offering sociology degrees online.
Want to see the most affordable Sociology degrees? View them here
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Thanks to the wonders of technology, a healthy number of schools are now offering online sociology degrees. You’ll find a fair amount of choice at all levels, but especially in graduate school. Universities are often more comfortable offering online programs to students who already have some experience under their belt. Remember that if you’d like to participate in on-site labs and classes, you can also look for “hybrid” programs.
Whatever your choice, we advise you to examine your options carefully. In your search, you’ll run into a lot of for-profit “universities” with uneven reputations. So before you invest in an online sociology degree, check to see if your school has:
Avoid schools with low completion rates and high student loan default rates.
Adams State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Criminology emphasis and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Social Welfare emphasis, and both of these degrees can be pursued online. The online sociology degree is the same degree that students may pursue on campus, and online students are given the same credit for courses as on-campus students. Students in the criminology emphasis will take courses such as Criminal Justice, Juvenile Delinquency, and Correctional Systems, and students in the social welfare emphasis will take courses such as Human Behavior & Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, and Poverty and Social Inequality.
Brandman University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology entirely online. In this program, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of humanity's diverse ways of interacting and the social institutions and systems that exist in society. The program provides students with many skills that can be used in a variety of professions such as critical thinking skills, writing and verbal communication skills, awareness of diversity, and the ability to analyze and understand social phenomena. Students enrolled in the online sociology degree program will take courses such as Social Research Design, Globalization and Social Change, and Intercultural Communication.
The School of Behavioral Sciences at California Baptist University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology which students can pursue online. The sociology program focuses on human behavior, group dynamics, and social diversity. CBU takes a unique approach to the sociology degree as the program includes classes on theology and faith, and online students will experience this aspect just as on-campus students do. Students are able to earn concentrations in the following areas: Social Work, Religion and Behavior, Psychology, Life Span Development, Diversity, Counseling Ministry, Cognitive Psychology, Christian Behavioral Science, and Anthropology. Students enrolled in the online sociology degree program will take courses such as Marriage and the Family, Group Dynamics & Social Movement, Sociology of Gender, and Social Problems.
The online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology offered by California State University Chico is a degree-completion program for students who have already completed the first two years of coursework towards a bachelor's degree. The program combines theory with hands-on practice, and graduates of the program have acquired skills in writing, research, and critical analysis of complex issues. Sociology majors must complete 40 units within the major, including a course that requires them to apply their skills either through an internship or through grantwriting. Students must also complete a capstone course.
17,220 Students
California State University Fullerton has an online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program for students who have at least 69 transferrable credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This online program uses a cohort model, in which a group of students move together through all the required courses. A cohort set-up allows students to build relationships and gain a professional network. This degree requires students to complete 17 courses, all offered online, and students take one eight-week course at a time. That schedule allows students to complete the degree in three years, taking courses all year round, why they continue to be employed.
38,948 Students
The Sociology Department at Central Washington University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology entirely online. Students in this program will gain a comprehensive understanding on the relationship between history, society, and the individual's life; social patterns and interactions and the way they shape society; and critical analysis of social phenomena. The Central Washington University website offers a quiz for students to determine whether or not online learning is for them so that they may decide whether or not to pursue an online sociology degree or an on-campus degree. Students enrolled in the sociology degree program online will take courses such as Principles of Sociology, American Society, Social Service Methods and Casework, and Juvenile Delinquency.
11,993 Students
Coastline Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Sociology that can be pursued online. The program focuses on the interaction between groups and organizations in society, and it ranges from the study of primitive cultures to the analysis of relationships in family units. The A.A. in Sociology that can be pursued online is the same as the degree which can be pursued on campus, and online students will receive the same quality of education as online courses are taught by the experienced faculty members that also teach on campus courses. Students enrolled in the program will take courses such as Introduction to Marriage and Family, Introduction to Gerontology, Psychology of Aging, and Physical Anthropology.
The College of Southern Nevada offers an Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology which can be pursued online. In this program, students will have a comprehensive understanding of social science research methods, sociological tools, and culture and social structure. Students will also be equipped with skills that will be useful in a variety of careers such as written and verbal communication skills as well as critical thinking skills. Students enrolled in the online A.A. in sociology degree will take courses such as Contemporary Social Issues, Introduction to Marriage and the Family, and Ethnic Groups in Contemporary Societies.
Colorado State University-Pueblo has two options for undergrads who want to complete a bachelor's degree in sociology. Students can earn a traditional Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, or they can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in criminology. Students who choose the criminology emphasis replace some of the sociology electives of the traditonal program with classes in criminal justice. Both programs also cover cultural theory and research methods. The online program is a collaboration between the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Office of Extended Studies.
The Psychology & Sociology Department at Columbia College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Society online. Students in this program will study human behavior, the structure of society, and social interactions between individuals and groups, and students will be prepared for careers in non-profit organizations, government agencies, education, advocacy, and business, among other fields. The online bachelor's degree in sociology will also prepare students for graduate school or law school for those who wish to continue their studies. Students enrolled in the online sociology degree program will take courses such as The Sociology of Gender, Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences, and Juvenile Delinquency.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology in the College of Letters and Sciences at Columbus State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Sociology online. In this program, students will take easy-to-navigate online courses that provide many opportunities for interaction. The program focuses on group and human interaction, human behavior, and social interactions within society. Graduates of the online sociology program have become mental health workers, corrections officers, child welfare officers, community service agents, correctional case workers, marketing research analysts, and more. Students enrolled in the program will take such courses as Sociological Theory, Social Research Methods, and Race and Ethnic Relations.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Sociology online without any required campus visits through Dallas Baptist University. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits, including general studies requirements and 30 credits in the major. The university accepts transfer credits and gives credit for military and corporate training. As part of the degree program, sociology majors have the option of an internship for academic credit, allowing the student to gain field experience and put the knowledge learned in class into practice. To earn a degree from Dallas Baptist, transfer students must complete at least 30 credits through the university.
Students with an associate degree can complete their Bachelor of Arts in Sociology through the online education program at Fayetteville State University. FSU offers upper-level sociology classes, those typically taken in the junior and senior year, in an online format. To enter the program, students must have met the requirements for the university's core curriculum and must have prerequisites, including a basic class in the principles of sociology. Online classes are offered in an asynchronous format, although students may have to be online at a specific time for chat sessions in some courses. The curriculum includes 18 credits in required sociology classes, 15 credits in restricted electives, and 15 credits in unrestricted sociology and anthropology electives.
Florida International University has an online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology that allows students to choose a track in sociology or in anthropology. The anthropology track emphasizes the study of cultural practices in a specific place while the sociology track focuses on social life, including the problems that can arise in a society. Both degrees are 120-credit programs housed in the Green School of International and Public Affairs. Florida International was ranked No. 54 for Best Online Bachelor's Programs in the 2017 U.S. News rankings. Students can enter these online programs in the spring, fall, or summer semester, and all online students are assigned a success coach to help them navigate through the process.
Foothill College offers an Associate of Arts in Sociology degree which can be pursued online. In the sociology program, students will study the system of human groups and organizations and the way they interact in society. Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher in all core and support courses that are required for the degree. Online students will receive the same educational experience as the on-campus students. Students enrolled in the program will take courses such as Introduction to Social Welfare, Psychology of Women: Sex & Gender Differences, and Major Social Problems.
The Virtual College at Fort Hays State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology entirely online. These degree programs explore social interactions and the relationships between groups and individuals in society, and they provide students with the knowledge, experience, and skills to enter into a wide range of careers. Other graduates of these degree programs go on to pursue graduate school or law school. The Fort Hays State University Virtual College has a lot of resources online to help students decide if an online sociology degree is right for them. Students enrolled in the sociology degree program will take courses such as Principles of Culture and Sociological Theory and Literature.
The Department of Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts at McNeese State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology which students can pursue online. Sociology majors will gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and social interactions. Online students are able to take advantage of seven-week sessions, three-week sessions, and six-week sessions throughout the year. Many graduates of the online sociology degree program go on to pursue careers in business, community planning, counseling, politics, law, education, or many other disciplines.
The Department of Social Sciences at the College of Letters and Sciences at National University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology online. The online sociology degree program focuses on the study of social change, social life, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior as well as the function of groups and organizations in society. Online students of sociology will gain important skills that will prepare them for a wide variety of positions including critical thinking skills. Students in the program will take such courses as Sociology of Deviance, Methods of Social Inquiry, Cultural Pluralism in the U.S.A., and Power and Social Change.
The Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University offers a Master of Arts in Sociology online. The online Master's program in sociology provides students with additional education and experience in managing diversity, research design and interpretation, and the assessment and management of social change. Graduates who have a Master of Arts in Sociology often go on to become teachers or professors, researchers, or clinical sociologists. Students enrolled in the program will take such courses as Advanced Social Theory, Comparative Global Family Systems, and Population Trends and Analysis.
The Department of Government and Social Sciences at Nicholls State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and the degree can be pursued online. The online sociology program prepares students for a wide variety of careers. Other graduates of the program go on to pursue graduate school or law school. The online sociology degree is available in a Family/Youth Advocacy Concentration that requires a combination of sociology and psychology classes. Students in the online sociology program may take courses such as Racial and Ethnic Relations, Sociology of Deviant Behavior, and Sociology of Drug Abuse.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at North Dakota State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Sociology online. In this program, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the way society works. Graduates of the online sociology program pursue a wide variety of careers in fields that involve community service, urban planning, government administration, human resources, marketing and advertising, and more. Student in the online sociology degree program will take such courses as Introduction to Sociology, Development of Social Theory, Social Problems, Cultural Diversity, and Social Interaction.
14,516 Students
Northern Arizona University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology online. The sociology program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human social interactions within organizations, groups, regions, and throughout the world. Students in the program will gain many skills that can be applied to a wide variety of positions. Many graduates of this program go on to pursue careers in youth advocacy, social services, and rehabilitation counseling. Other graduates pursue graduate school or law school. Students enrolled in the online sociology degree program will take courses such as Sociology of Sexuality and American Society and the American Indian.
The Department of Sociology at Oregon State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology online. The program provides an opportunity for students to explore the study of social interaction, social forces, and human society in general. Graduates of the program go on to pursue successful careers in social services, education, criminal justice, non-profit work, and also news media. Other students pursue graduate studies or law school. Online students receive the same high quality education as on-campus students, and their classes are taught by the same highly qualified faculty members that teach the on-campus classes. Students enrolled in the program will take courses like Institutions and Social Change and Social Problems and Issues.
Saint Leo University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology entirely online. Graduates of the sociology program go on to become consultants, administrators, project analysts, and researchers for many different employers, including government, nonprofit and advocacy groups, social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, public relations agencies, real estate, and other businesses. Courses in the sociology program include an exploration of social problems, race and ethnic relations, sociological theory, social interaction in everyday life, and quantitative and qualitative social research methods. Students enrolled in the sociology program will take courses such as The Changing Face of America, Psychological Well Being: How to be Sane in an Insane World, Building a Multiracial Society, and Energy and its Impact on Global Society.
The Sociology Department at Sam Houston State University offers bachelor's and master's degrees through online coursework. The Master of Arts in Sociology has three specializations: applied sociology; stratifications, culture and institutions; and environment, social change and development. In this 100-percent online program, students will gain professiinal skills including grant writing, impact assessment, and community research. The program requires 36 credits, and students have the option of a thesis or comprehensive exam. Admission is competitive, and applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA on undergraduate work. Undergrads can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science and can concentrate in social change and economy; culture and social institutions; or inequality and society.
The Department of Sociology & Rural Studies at South Dakota State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Sociology that can be pursued online. In the online sociology program, students will focus on topics like societal deviance and crime, family dynamics, government policies, and the impact of contemporary issues on various public and private institutions. The online sociology program offers the same high quality educational experience for students as the sociology program on campus. Students will gain many skills in the program that will apply to a number of careers including critical thinking skills and an understanding of diversity. In this program, students will take courses such as Sociological Theory and Investigating the Social World.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, which can be pursued online. The UTPB program is accelerated, and students can earn their bachelor's degree in as short as 12 months. Courses are in eight-week sessions, and the online bachelor's program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The online degree program offers students the same high quality educational experience as the on-campus program, and courses are taught by the same highly respected faculty that teaches the on-campus courses. Students enrolled in the online sociology degree program will take courses such as Social Determinants of Energy Use, Sociology of Health and Illness, Political Society, and Family Dysfunction and Substance Abuse.
6,077 Students
Troy University offers an Associate of Science in General Education with an emphasis in Sociology as well as a bachelor's degree in sociology, which can both be pursued entirely online. In both programs, students will focus on the study of societal changes as well as social causes and consequences. With an undergraduate degree in sociology, students will be well prepared for a number of entry-level positions such as probation/parole officer, sales representative, public survey worker, statistician, social/welfare worker, researcher, private detective, correctional officer, recreation director, human resources/benefits administrator, planner for nonprofit organization, police officer, and more. Students enrolled in the program will take such courses as Introduction to Social Science Inquiry, Application of Social Scientific, and Sociological Theory.
The Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology entirely online. This degree is a non-thesis Master's degree, and it's a nine-course (30 unit) program. Instead of a thesis, students will be required to present a six-hour faculty-directed community/applied capstone project. Applicants are not required to take the GRE or GMAT to be admitted to the program, and the online format allows easier access to advanced education. Students enrolled in this program will take courses such as Applied Sociological Theory, Applied Social Psychology, and Applied Sociology.
The College of Sciences at University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology entirely online. The online sociology program will provide students with a comprehensive understanding and examination of social issues. Graduates of this program are well prepared for positions such as research analysts, corrections officers, diversity training specialists, behavioral analysts, human resources managers, event planners, and more. The bachelor's degree in sociology online provides students with the same high quality educational experience as the on-campus degree, and students enrolled in the program will take courses such as Sociology of Deviant Behavior, Education and Social Achievement, and Social Power and Inequality.
62,953 Students
Students interested in an online degree in sociology have two options with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The university offers an online degree completion program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology for students who have an associate of arts degree or at least 60 college credits. The second option is a dual degree in sociology and criminal justice. By pursuing the dual degree, students reduce the number of major courses needed for each degree. Students must complete general education requirements for either program. All courses required for the sociology degree are offered online at least once annually, and many are delivered online each term.
11,988 Students
The Department of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado - Denver offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology entirely online. In this program, students will gain a systematic understanding of society and why the world is the way it is. The program explores social class stratification, globalization and family dynamics, and race/ethnicity/gender and the impact all of these things have on individuals and society. Many graduates of the online sociology program go on to become political scientist, human resources managers, and urban planners. Others go on to graduate school or law school to further their studies. Students enrolled in the program will take courses such as Urban Sociology and Contemporary Sociological Theory.
23,671 Students
U.S. News and World Report puts University of Florida's online baccalaureate programs, including the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, in the top 20 nationwide. This interdisciplinary degree includes general education courses with the "international" and "diversity" designations, which help students think about how cultural values are formed. The only required classes are Principles of Sociology, Development of Social Thought, Methods of Social Research, and Introduction to Statistics. There is no thesis. Given the curriculum's flexibility, many students choose to double major or simultaneously pursue an advanced degree.
50,645 Students
Students interested in a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology can earn the degree entirely online though the University of Memphis. To earn the degree, students must complete 120 credits, including 41 credits in general education studies, 30 credits in the major, electives, and six to nine additional credits that meet the requirements of the bachelor of arts degree. Sociology majors work closely with an academic adviser to select a program of studies that matches their interests and career goals. Specialties of the University of Memphis Sociology Department include inequality, such as racial, ethnic or income equality, methods of social research, and deviant behavior. Faculty members also focus on urban sociology, medical sociology and family sociology.
The University of Nebraska Kearney has an online degree program that allows students to finish work towards a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. The program is open to students who have earned an associate degree or who have otherwise completed most of the general studies requirements set by the university. The online program requires students to take 36 credits, or 12 classes, in sociology. The curriculum includes five core classes in topics such as sociological theory, statistics, and sociological research. Students also take three classes chosen from a restricted list and four electives in sociology. Students must also achieve a minor by taking 24 credits in a subject.
The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Alabama offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and this program can be pursued online. Online sociology majors can minor in the following areas: History, Management, Marketing, Family Studies, and Political Sciences. Students who graduate with an online degree in sociology may go on to pursue careers in the fields of public health, human relations, law enforcement, personnel management, family services, public administration, community planning, employment counseling, public relations, and more. Students enrolled in the online sociology degree program will take courses such as Marriage and the Family, Current Social Problems, and Computer Applications in the Social Sciences.
7,078 Students
UNC Pembroke's Bachelor of Arts in Sociology includes an 18-credit core curriculum that takes students from theory to statistics to research. An additional 15 credits in electives let students explore topics as diverse as Popular Culture, Social Gerontology and Family Violence. In fact, the department has a broad enough selection to support minors in Substance Abuse, Medical Sociology and Community Development. The major embraces a writing-intensive curriculum, so students must also select 9 credits of "Writing Enriched" or "Writing in the Discipline" courses. All the courses within the major are online, but the same is not necessarily true of general education courses; students may have to transfer in some credits.
The University of Northern Colorado offers an online program for adult learners to complete their bachelor's degree in sociology. The program is for students who already have some college credit, preferably at least 60 credits or an associate degree. Students may enter the program in any term. UNC Online offers a flexible schedule, with some classes offered in a traditional 16-week semester and others offered as six-week courses, which are sequenced so that a student can take one 16-week course and three six-week courses during the semester and never be taking more than two courses at one time. Sociology majors must choose a concentration: family; inequalities and institutions, deviance, crime and delinquency, or social psychology and life course.
UWG's Bachelor of Science in Sociology aims to produce graduates capable of securing jobs in nearly any working environment. Coursework covers marriage and death, family, physical and mental health, emotions and just about every aspect of the human experience. There are three admissions deadlines for the program throughout the year, and requirements for entry differ by population (such as home-schooled or non-traditional students); minimum criteria for freshmen include a 450 on the SAT math and a 24 on the reading section.
Western Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology online. This program looks at organizations, groups, and societies and studies the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue a variety of careers as the skills they learn in the program are applicable to a number of jobs including communication skills and critical thinking. The online program provides the same high quality educational experience as the on-campus program, and it provides much more flexibility and convenience. Students are encouraged to participate in an orientation for online learners. Students enrolled in the program will take such courses as Using Statistics in Sociology, Marriage and Family, and Religion in Society.
Westfield State University has an online degree-completion program that allows graduates of community colleges in Massachusetts to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Other transfer students may be able to enter the program, which allows students to take all upper-level sociology classes online. Westfield requires sociology majors to complete 18 to 21 credits in core sociology courses and another 18 credits in sociology electives. Almost all those credits, except a basic introductory class and two research methods courses, are upper-level classes. Westfield offers online courses in a variety of session formats, including traditional 15-week classes in the fall and spring semesters, an accelerated two-week session in winter, and two six-week sessions during the summer.
6,496 Students
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