Sociology Careers

Sociology degrees can lead to careers in diverse contexts and fields. Many sociology graduates work in social services, human resources, or education.

Studying sociology yields valuable, transferable insights regarding various social phenomena and experiences. Earning a sociology degree can lead to careers in diverse industries.

Sociologists often work as researchers at universities, government agencies, or community organizations. Many sociologists also teach.

Advanced sociology careers may entail research, writing, and teaching. Entry-level career duties vary by sector, job, field, and employer.

This common sociology concentration covers crime’s definitions, underlying causes, and prevention methods. Learners may take courses such as criminology, law and society, criminal justice, and juvenile delinquency. Crime and punishment courses often engage moral questions about crime, violence, justice, and punitive control. Aspiring criminal justice professionals, social workers, policy experts, and social justice activists may benefit from this specialization.

This specialization examines gender and sexuality as social constructions. Common course offerings include gender violence, masculinities, queer theory, and gender and globalization. Gender and sexuality courses offer systemic, sociological analysis of gender-related phenomena such as sexual assault, the gender pay gap, and human trafficking.

Enrollees also learn intersectionality principles to understand how other oppressions compound gender oppression. Graduates may work for community organizations, government agencies, or schools.

Associate-level sociology degrees typically require around 60 credits and include various general education courses. These programs familiarize students with key sociological concepts, skills, and fields. Enrollees complete foundational social science research methods courses.

Additional curricula include social psychology, law, and race in America. Associate degree graduates usually either pursue bachelor’s degrees or enter the workforce in roles such as addictions counselor, social services assistant, or human resources professional.

Most bachelor’s in sociology programs require about 120 credits, including general education credits, core sociology coursework, and specialized electives. Specialization options vary by degree type, program, and school. Some common concentrations include urban sociology, global development, and data analysis.

Sociology bachelor of arts programs typically feature interdisciplinary curricula that include more liberal arts courses. Bachelor of science programs heavily emphasize research methods and sociology courses. Bachelor’s degree graduates may work as data analysts, probations officers, or social workers.

Sociology master’s programs often comprise 33-60 credits depending on the program and enrollees’ prior coursework. Core master’s courses often include quantitative research methods, social demography, and ethnography. Most programs offer elective coursework or curriculum concentrations in areas such as class stratification, gender and sexuality, social change, or globalization.

Master’s students usually complete a research-based thesis or capstone field experience. Master’s graduates may work as teachers, researchers, social workers, or writers.

Many aspiring sociologists pursue doctoral degrees that help them qualify for careers as professors, researchers, or leaders. Doctoral dissertations involve in-depth, original research and writing, so sociology doctoral programs include advanced capstone courses in research methods.

Doctoral students often specialize in fields such as criminology, data analysis, or economic sociology. In exchange for doctoral funding, Ph.D. program enrollees may also teach or conduct research for the university while in school.

These professionals direct their organization’s human resources (HR) departments and practices. HR managers oversee organizational activities such as hiring, discipline, benefits and compensation, and conflict resolution. These professionals supervise HR personnel and may help executives with organizational strategy. HR managers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree.

Universities and public-sector organizations often employ sociologists. These professionals spend their days researching, writing, and sometimes teaching. Most sociologists hold master’s or doctoral degrees in sociology-related fields. Their specialized research requires advanced skills in data collection, data analysis, and presentation.

These leaders oversee administration and programming for community service-oriented organizations. Social and community service managers hire and supervise staff, meet with stakeholders, and plan and implement programs. They may write grant proposals, manage outreach activities, and gather and present evidence of organizational effectiveness.