The Advantages To Earning A Sociology Degree
A sociology degree offers individuals a versatile liberal arts degree with specialized training based upon social change, social phenomena, and human behavior. Students within a sociology degree program gain the skills and abilities to comparatively analyze, observe, and collect quantitative data to research and understand the various religious, social, economic, and political aspects of society. Courses based in the history and theory of of sociology, statistics, research methods, public policy and law offer students the educational basis necessary for personal and professional success in the field of sociology.
As many students manage work and family obligations in addition to educational responsibilities, most colleges and universities have developed online programs to extend instruction beyond campus grounds. Online programs are based upon innovative curricula and feature virtually the same educational experiences, materials, and instruction as their traditional, on campus equivalents. Online programs also provide the added benefits of a more personalized degree and increased flexibility in course scheduling. Online courses frequently consist of smaller classes, with groups of 25 students or less, who have one on one interactions with classmates and instructors via Internet chats. Most students find pursuing an online degree as one of the most convenient, affordable, and effective means of expanding education necessary to propel educational, personal, and professional goals.
What Students Learn Within A Sociology Degree Program
A sociology degree offers students a broad understanding of the discipline of sociology, means of increasing analytical and theoretical skills, and a variety of liberal arts electives necessary to function as professionals in the field. Many graduates are required to complete a minimum of a bachelor degree in sociology to gain employment though many candidates are required to complete master’s or doctoral degree programs to pursue teaching or counseling positions.
Many students begin studies within an associate’s degree program to gain a basic understanding of the field of sociology. Courses include: English composition; college Algebra; mathematical and quantitative reasoning; introduction to biology; introduction to sociology; introduction to social research; introduction to social welfare; law and society; alcohol and drug abuse; major social problems; race and ethnic relations; social psychology; aspects of marriage and family; child advocacy; cultural anthropology; child, family, and community; principles of economics; human geography; U.S. history from 1900 to present; elementary statistics; introduction to philosophy; introduction to women’s studies; psychology of women; human growth and development; Western civilization Ancient to Medieval; Western civilization Renaissance through modern; and an internship. Graduates who complete an associate’s degree program may advance to entry level employment or continue studies within a bachelor degree program.
A bachelor degree program offers students an expanded understanding of the discipline of sociology as well as the opportunity to expand knowledge with a number of liberal arts electives. Courses generally include: English composition, introduction to sociology, fitness and wellness, college Algebra, statistics, introduction to psychology, social institutions, world literature, African American literature, social problems, introduction to philosophy, critical thinking, cultural anthropology, speech, race and ethnic relations, social psychology, social stratification, methods of research in sociology, elementary statistics for social research, U.S. history, human growth and development, abnormal psychology, global societies, computer applications, sociology of the family, sociological theories, social change, complex organizations, men and women in society, criminology, real/reel culture, law enforcement, sociology of law, courts and criminal justice, technology and society, juvenile delinquency, criminal justice administration, principles of corrections, criminal law, population analysis, victimology, sociology of aging; criminal justice; gender and crime; minorities, crime, and criminal justice; gender and crime; society and law; white collar crime; legal studies; urban ecology; urban studies; social values and the environment; sociolinguistics and an internship. Graduates who complete studies within a bachelor degree program may gain employment or continue studies within a master’s degree program.
A master’s degree in sociology offers students specialized knowledge in the field as well as the ability to gain employment within a variety of upper level positions. Courses include: sociology of aging; the modern world system; criminal justice; minorities, crime and criminal justice; gender and crime; society and law; white collar crime; population; urban ecology; social values and the environment; sociolinguistics; thesis; sociological foundations of political economy; foundations of criminology; social justice and public policy; foundations of social psychology; professional preparation; sociological theory; research methods in sociology; advanced sociological analysis; collective behavior, social movements, social change; sociology of development; delinquency and the social structure; environmental sociology; seminar in gerontology; counselor education and counseling psychology; public health; psychoeducational studies; social work; independent study; readings; supplementary readings in sociological theory; advanced quantitative methods; field research; political sociology; advanced studies in political economy; sociology of law; advanced studies in criminology; environmental theory; advanced studies in environmental sociology; advanced studies in social psychology; and an internship experience. Master’s degree graduates may advance to employment or continue studies within doctoral degree programs.
Doctoral degree programs offer students the ability to gain the knowledge and refine skills necessary to qualify as experts in the field of sociology. Courses include: advanced sociological theory; advanced sociological research methods; advanced data analysis; program design and evaluation; social policy and research analysis; research methods; qualitative research methods; design and conduct of social surveys; advanced population; topics in data analysis; sociology of crime/deviant behavior; domestic violence; social inequalities; urban/environmental sociology; dissertation; dissertation research; applied research practicum; statistics; sociology of religion; contemporary theory; public organizations; ethnography; diverse children and current national policy debates; selected topics in demography; religious fundamentalism as a social movement; advanced methods of demographic analysis; sociological statistics; issues in contemporary immigration; consumer society and culture; American labor and globalization; social theory of time and space; race theory; youth marginalization and subculture of resistance; and a clinical experience. Graduates who complete doctoral degree programs may advance to a number of careers as experts in the field.
Prospective Jobs For Sociology Degree Graduates
Sociology degree graduates gain a versatile education necessary to gain employment within various organizations and establish long term careers. Most sociology professionals are required to obtain a minimum of a bachelor degree to qualify for employment in the field. Employment is based upon level of education, area/s of specialty, and related work experiences. Graduates who complete associate degree programs frequently advance to employment as administrative assistants, social services clerks, legal assistants, public affairs assistants, or political consultants. Graduates with bachelor degrees often work as public relations specialists, research technicians, policy analysts, social workers, public relations specialists, marketing representatives, or teachers with additional training and licensure. Master’s degree graduates often gain employment as sociologists, instructors within high school or vocational schools, research directors, human resources managers, statisticians, demographers, urban planners, community developers, or executives within political, social, marketing, advertising, or public relations firms. Doctoral degree graduates generally advance to instructor positions within colleges and universities, researchers within private or public facilities, political scientists, chief executive officers, policy analysts, research analysts, criminologists, demographers, or as administrators of a variety of public and private agencies or organizations.
Salary Range For Sociology Degree Graduates
Graduates who complete studies within sociology degree programs gain the knowledge and means of strengthening skills necessary to establish long term and lucrative careers. Earnings for graduates with sociology degrees have earnings based upon level of education, speciality areas, related work experience, and geographic location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports earnings for sociologists ranges from $51,110 to $92,220 annually. Graduates with associate degrees who advance to employment as clerks within social services agencies earn $19,620 to $31,980 annually. Bachelor degree graduates who work as social workers earn $31,040 to $52,080 annually. Graduates with master’s degrees employed as sociologists have salaries of $51,110 to $92,220 annually. Doctoral degree graduates who gain employment as university or college sociology instructors earn $ 45,090 to $82,990 annually. As with most occupations, graduates with advanced degrees who specialize training through continuing education programs and gain work experience generally have higher earnings than graduates with less training and experience.
Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Graduates With Sociology Degrees
Sociology degree graduates are expected to find ample job opportunities based upon the versatile education earned during degree programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports job growth for sociology professionals will increase by 21 percent at a much faster than average rate in comparison to other occupations through 2018. Demand for qualified sociologists and other professionals will result from population expansion and changes within political, social, business, justice, and health care systems. Competition for graduates with sociology degrees is expected to be high and candidates with a master’s or doctoral degree will find an increased employability. Most graduates who complete associate or bachelor degree programs begin employment within entry level positions and advance to jobs with greater responsibility and higher salaries upon gaining experience and continuing education. Graduates who complete master’s or doctoral degrees often begin employment within entry level administrative positions and advance to director or teaching positions within organizations or colleges and universities. Some graduates may also establish self owned and operated consulting businesses upon continuing education, gaining work experience, and securing adequate funding.
