A group of food bank volunteers.

Bachelor of Arts in
Sociology
Online or On Campus

Explore How Society Works

Examine human interaction from a local, national and global perspectives to better understand the impact of social influence on others. Develop and test theories using quantitative and qualitative methods to predict and understand how patterns of relationships and culture work in the bachelor's in sociology program at the University at Albany.


Note: This program is also offered fully online.

Program of Study

programofstudy

Nationally recognized faculty members in research and service are committed to providing you with the highest quality education in your substantive area of focus.

Explore specializations in the program from crime and deviance, demography and health policy, to aging, work, education and social organizations. Showcase your skills and knowledge learned through a capstone course where you engage in research-oriented study in a small, focused classroom setting.

General Program Requirements

A minimum of 36 credits in sociology, with 24 credits at the 300 level or above, to include:

  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Research Methods
  • Statistics for Sociologists
  • Sociological Theory
  • One 400 level Selected Topics Seminar
  • 18 additional credits of sociology as advised

Choose one Social Inequalities elective:

  • Sociology of Gender
  • Race & Ethnicity
  • Sociology of Race, Gender, and Class
  • Social Inequality
Optional Concentrations
Criminology

A minimum of 36 credits in sociology, with 24 credits at the 300 level or above, to include:

  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Research Methods
  • Statistics for Sociologists
  • Sociological Theory
  • Selected Topics Seminar in Crime and Deviance
  • 9 additional credits of sociology as advised

Choose one Social Inequalities elective:

  • Sociology of Gender
  • Race & Ethnicity
  • Sociology of Race, Gender, and Class
  • Social Inequality

9 credits from:

  • Criminology
  • Juvenile Delinquency
  • Sociology of Deviant Behavior
  • Criminal Victimology
  • Sociology of Law


With permission, one of:

  • Internship in Sociology
  • Independent Study in Sociology
  • Senior Honors Thesis
Families and Communities

A minimum of 36 credits in sociology, with 24 credits at the 300 level or above, to include:

  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Research Methods
  • Statistics for Sociologists
  • Sociological Theory
  • Selected Topics Seminar in the Sociology of Families
  • Selected Topics Seminar in Social Psychology
  • 9 additional credits of sociology as advised

Choose one Social Inequalities elective:

  • Sociology of Gender
  • Race & Ethnicity
  • Sociology of Race, Gender, and Class
  • Social Inequality


9 credits from:

  • Sociology of Families
  • Social and Demographic Change
  • Population Challenges
  • Social Demography
  • Community and Urban Sociology
  • Sociology of Aging
  • The Social Worlds of Children and Youth


With permission, one of:

  • Internship in Sociology
  • Independent Study in Sociology
  • Senior Honors Thesis

Internships


Acquire experience in a field or area related to sociology to relate your academic knowledge to practical experience.

Students typically intern in a work setting with an agency or organization. A variety of potential placements are available, including areas such as health and human services, lobbying and advocacy groups, and law and criminal justice.

Honors Program


The honors program combines recognition of general academic excellence with demonstrated achievement in sociology. The program provides advanced research opportunities, both independent and in collaboration with faculty. You will also benefit from post-graduate and career-related preparation and guidance from the Honors Director. To be eligible for the Sociology Honors Program, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a Sociology major GPA of 3.50 or higher.

internships

"My favorite class is medical sociology. It allows us to examine the different factors, such as gender, race, ethnicity, income and geographical location, that affect health disparities."

- Michelle Dong, Class of 2025

UAlbany Majors: Sociology

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Options


You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. Choose to combine your Sociology undergraduate degree with the following graduate programs:

combined

MA in Sociology
This master’s program provides an advanced understanding of culture, human health and behavior in topic areas including women and welfare, medical sociology, population health, crime and deviance, migration, economics and children.

MPA in Public Administration and Policy
This top-ranked master’s program prepares you to help solve complex socioeconomic problems with concentration areas including non-profit management and leadership, public policy, healthcare management, information technology management, public economics and finance, and homeland security.

MS in Information Science 
This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

A man making notes in his home office

Career Outcomes

A BA in Sociology prepares you careers in areas including administration, criminal justice, social welfare, law, education, health and medicine.

Potential job titles for a sociology degree include:

  • Research Associate
  • Director of Operations
  • Marketing Consultant
  • Social Science Teacher
  • Immediate Response Advocate
  • Probation Officer
  • Analyst
  • Public Health Consultant

 

Group of young professionals having a discussion
career

"In the UAlbany sociology program, my personal and intellectual interests were pushed in the right direction. I was exposed to new people and different perspectives and challenged to ask questions, question answers, and then create new questions. This became my toolkit for succeeding in college, and I'll certainly take this important set of skills forward in my life."

- Andrew, Class of 2017

Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts
  • Students will apply statistical approaches to described empirical patterns and test theory.
  • Students will assess research studies in terms of key choices and decisions.
  • Students will define and compare basic theoretical orientations, how these reflect historical and cultural context, and how they can be applied to social reality.
  • Students will describe the diversity of American society, and the significance of race, class, gender, and age.
  • Students will describe the role of research methods in building sociological knowledge.
  • Students will discuss the influence of social structure on individuals, and the effects of social interaction on society and social structure.
  • Students will identify and compare basic methodological approaches.  
  • Students will understand the place of American society in the international context.
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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

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Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology FAQs
 

What can you do with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology?

With a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, graduates can pursue a career in human services, public administration, criminal justice or community health. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in sociology also can choose to continue their education at the graduate level in an area such as information science, public administration, law, business administration or sociology.

Are the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology online and on-campus programs accredited?

Yes, the online and on-campus sociology programs both hold accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). As a fully accredited institution, the University at Albany meets the highest standards for granting degrees.

How long is the on-campus sociology program? How long is the online sociology program?

Both the online and on-campus sociology programs require a minimum of 120 credits, which full-time students can complete in four years. During that time, sociology majors complete at least 36 credits in sociology, including 24 credits of upper-division coursework. Students also have the option of choosing a concentration.

What are the program concentrations?

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program can choose between the Criminology concentration or the Families and Communities concentration. The Criminology concentration incorporates coursework in juvenile delinquency, sociology of law and criminal victimology. The Families and Communities concentration includes coursework in social demography, urban sociology and the sociology of aging.

How do the combined master’s programs work?

The combined master’s programs help bachelor’s degree in sociology students save time and money by applying up to 12 credits toward both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Students pay the undergraduate tuition rate for graduate-level coursework. The sociology program offers combined master’s degrees in sociology, public administration and information science.

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