Sociology, BA, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 120 | Estimated Time to Completion: 4 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $480.65 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Arts / major
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS)
- School/Department
- Department of Sociology
Program Contact
- Rebecca J. Erickson, Ph.D.
-
Professor of Sociology and Chair, Departments of Anthropology & Sociology
(330) 972-5157
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology for students who want to better understand social issues, human behavior, and the forces that shape our communities. This 100% online program explores how individuals, groups, and institutions influence one another while examining topics such as inequality, health, social change, and justice. You'll develop the critical thinking, research, and communication skills needed to understand complex problems and contribute to meaningful solutions.
Through research and applied learning experiences, you'll learn how to collect and analyze data, evaluate social issues, and communicate findings to diverse audiences. The program also offers Health & Society and Social Justice pathways, allowing you to connect your studies to topics that align with your interests and career goals.
Taught by the same expert faculty who teach on campus, this accredited online degree prepares you for opportunities across business, public service, health care, education, criminal justice, and nonprofit organizations.
What You'll Learn
Sociology helps you understand how people, communities, and institutions interact. In this program, you'll learn how to analyze social issues, evaluate research, and communicate findings that inform decision-making across a variety of professional settings.
Skills Gained
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Research design and data analysis
Professional writing and communication
Evidence-based decision-making
Team collaboration and leadership
Cultural awareness and social understanding
Core Practice
Conduct surveys, interviews, and field observations
Analyze social trends and research findings
Evaluate policies, programs, and community issues
Present complex ideas to diverse audiences
Collaborate with teams to address social challenges
Apply sociological theory to real-world situations
Key Topics
Social inequality and social change
Health and well-being
Social justice and advocacy
Race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality
Population and environmental issues
Communities, organizations, and social institutions
Career Outcomes
Sociology graduates develop versatile skills that employers across industries value. By learning how to analyze information, understand social behavior, and communicate effectively, you'll be prepared for careers involving research, problem-solving, community engagement, and organizational leadership.
Job Titles
Human resources specialist
Community outreach coordinator
Social services case manager
Research assistant
Public health educator
Victim advocate
Policy analyst
Program coordinator
Admissions counselor
Market research associate
Where You’ll Work
Business and corporate organizations
Community and social service agencies
Criminal justice organizations
Health care and public health systems
Government agencies
Educational institutions
Nonprofit organizations
Law and advocacy organizations
Research and consulting firms
Recent University of Akron sociology graduates have pursued careers in criminal justice and legal fields, human resources and administration, politics, activism, and community-focused organizations.
Additional Program Information
Sociology Curriculum
The curriculum combines sociological theory, research methods, and applied learning experiences to help you understand social behavior and address real-world challenges.
General Education Foundation
General education coursework develops the communication, analytical, and critical-thinking skills that support success throughout the sociology program. You'll complete coursework in writing, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences while building a strong academic foundation.
→ View general education requirements
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
In addition to university requirements, students complete College of Arts & Sciences coursework, including language proficiency and upper-level study that broadens cultural understanding and prepares graduates for success in a global society.
Sociology Core
Core coursework introduces the theories, research methods, and analytical frameworks used to understand society and social behavior. You'll study topics such as social inequalities, sociological theory, research design, and data analysis while developing the skills needed to investigate complex social issues.
Students also complete an applied learning experience through advanced research, a field internship, or a senior project.
Concentration Options
Customize your degree through a concentration that aligns with your interests and career goals. Whether you're drawn to public health, community well-being, social justice, or a broader sociology curriculum, you'll have opportunities to explore topics that support your future plans.
Health & Society
Explore the social factors that influence health outcomes, health behaviors, and access to care. This pathway examines topics such as mental health, aging, substance use, and the social determinants of health while helping you understand how race, gender, social class, and other social factors shape well-being.
Social Justice
Study the relationship between social institutions and inequality while exploring issues such as racism, sexism, migration, climate change, sustainability, mass incarceration, and community access to resources. You'll develop the tools to better understand social problems and identify opportunities for meaningful change.
General Sociology
Create a flexible degree pathway by selecting upper-level sociology electives that align with your academic interests and professional goals.
Accelerated Pathway
Students entering with qualifying college credit through Advanced Placement (AP), College Credit Plus (CCP), or other approved sources may be eligible to complete the degree in as few as three years.
This accelerated option can help reduce both the time and cost required to earn your bachelor's degree.
Rankings
Recognized Among Top Online Universities
UAkron Online has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s top online universities, reflecting a strong commitment to quality and student success.
Concentration Options
Customize Your Sociology Degree
Choose from Health & Society, Social Justice, or a general sociology pathway to align your studies with your interests and career goals.
Career Readiness
Build In-Demand Research Skills
Develop practical research and communication skills through data analysis, surveys, interviews, and other applied methods.
Admissions Information
Review the admissions requirements and financial aid options as you plan your path into the online sociology program.
For students enrolled at The University of Akron and for students wishing to transfer directly to Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences from their institutions, the following criteria must be satisfied for admission to the Department of Sociology:
The student must be admissible to Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences.
Students must meet a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all university work, including transfer credits. Only credits earned at an accredited institution of postsecondary education recognized by The University of Akron will be considered for transfer credit, and only those grades will be included in the grade point average.
→ Additional admissions information
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of $480.65
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View bachelor’s degree tuition estimates
→ View additional cost of attendance information
Students may be eligible for a range of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans and work-study programs
- Institutional scholarships and merit-based awards
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships and Value
- Many scholarships require no separate application
- Aid packages may include multiple funding sources
- Programs like the Tuition Guarantee help provide cost predictability over four years (for eligible students)
→ Learn more about scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
For students enrolled at The University of Akron and for students wishing to transfer directly to Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences from their institutions, the following criteria must be satisfied for admission to the Department of Sociology:
The student must be admissible to Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences.
Students must meet a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all university work, including transfer credits. Only credits earned at an accredited institution of postsecondary education recognized by The University of Akron will be considered for transfer credit, and only those grades will be included in the grade point average.
→ Additional admissions information
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of $480.65
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View bachelor’s degree tuition estimates
→ View additional cost of attendance information
Students may be eligible for a range of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans and work-study programs
- Institutional scholarships and merit-based awards
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships and Value
- Many scholarships require no separate application
- Aid packages may include multiple funding sources
- Programs like the Tuition Guarantee help provide cost predictability over four years (for eligible students)
→ Learn more about scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Online Sociology Faculty & Staff
Learn from faculty whose teaching and research explore topics such as social inequality, health, social change, and justice.
Online Sociology Degree FAQs
A sociology degree can prepare you for careers in human resources, public health, social services, criminal justice, research, education, nonprofit leadership, and government. The program develops transferable skills in research, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving that are valued across industries. Many graduates work in roles that involve understanding people, communities, organizations, and social systems. Others use their degree as a foundation for graduate study in fields such as law, social work, counseling, and public administration.
Yes, a sociology degree can be a valuable investment for students interested in understanding social issues, human behavior, and organizational dynamics. The degree develops versatile skills that apply to a wide range of careers and industries. Employers value graduates who can analyze information, communicate effectively, conduct research, and work with diverse populations. Sociology also provides strong preparation for graduate and professional programs.
A sociology degree helps you develop research, analytical, and communication skills that can be applied in many professional settings. You'll learn how to collect and interpret data, evaluate social trends, and communicate findings to different audiences. Coursework also strengthens critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities. These skills can help prepare you for careers that require understanding people, organizations, and communities.
Salary potential for sociology graduates varies based on industry, experience, and career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources specialists earn a median annual salary of approximately $73,000, while social and community service managers earn a median annual salary of approximately $78,000. More advanced leadership roles can offer even greater earning potential, with human resources managers earning a median annual salary of approximately $140,000. As sociology graduates gain experience or pursue graduate education, opportunities for advancement and increased earnings often expand.
The cost of a sociology bachelor's degree depends on factors such as residency status, transfer credits, and financial aid eligibility. At The University of Akron, our tuition is charged per credit hour at $472.50, and online students pay in-state tuition rates with a minimal out-of-state surcharge. Many students reduce their overall costs through scholarships, grants, employer tuition assistance, and federal financial aid.
Earn Your Bachelor’s in Sociology Online
Explore the social forces that shape our world while building the skills to make a meaningful difference in your career and community.