Page Content
Masters in Sociology Online
Understanding society and maintaining human relationships construct a significant part of societal living and becomes the foundation of sociology. The sociology study equips the current generation workers with critical and analytical thinking, cultural competence, and self-awareness. Many students pursue a career in sociology to make a difference the society through community service, organizing, and improving living standards for everyone in the society. While pursuing a master’s in sociology online, students understand society’s different classifications and how it influences perceptions. According to the US Bureau of Labor of Statistics, sociologists’ prime roles are studying culture and social behavior. The employment growth of sociologists is predicted to grow four percent from 2019 to 2029. This guide will shed light on all aspects of masters in sociology online programs and provide all resources.
Featured Online Programs
Best Online Masters in Sociology Programs
Sociology programs are one-of-a-kind programs designed to understand societies’ issues from an unbiased and more precise perspective. Sociology is a vast field, and not all universities offer the best sociology masters. We researched dozens of online masters in sociology programs and shortlisted the best-based ones on the tuition fees, alumni reviews, teaching methodology, program quality, graduation rates, etc. Below are some of the universities that help you in this pursuit of the best sociology masters:
Link to this Page| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Virginia Commonwealth University 910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284 | $12,701 | 67% |
| #2 University of Alabama, Birmingham Administration Bldg Suite 1070, Birmingham, Alabama 35294 | $8,100 | 63% |
| #3 University of Denver 2199 S. University Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80208 | $51,336 | 77% |
| #4 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340 | $5,765 | 54% |
| #5 South Dakota State University 1004 Campanile Ave, Brookings, South Dakota 57007 | $8,083 | 56% |
| #6 University of Nebraska,Omaha 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68182 | $5,558 | 50% |
| #7 New Mexico State University 2850 Weddell Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 | $4,844 | 48% |
| #8 Morehead State University University Blvd, Morehead, Kentucky 40351 | $10,260 | 46% |
| #9 Texas A & M University, Commerce 2600 South Neal Street, Commerce, Texas 75428 | $3,630 | 43% |
| #10 Texas Woman’s University 304 Administration Dr, Denton, Texas 76204 | $4,973 | 43% |
| #11 Grand Canyon University 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85017 | $10,175 | 41% |
| #12 Saybrook University 55 W Eureka Street, Pasadena, California 91103 | $23,589 | NA |
| #13 Eastern Michigan University 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 | $18,912 | 46% |
| #14 Auburn University, Montgomery 7440 East Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117 | $7,362 | 34% |
| #15 Arizona State University 1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257 | $6,384 | 4% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Most Affordable Online Masters in Sociology Programs
Understanding the society and individuals around us may come naturally for many. But there is more to the topic of Sociology. By pursuing a master’s degree in sociology, students will learn about systematic approaches to understanding and solving societal problems. Attaining a sociology degree and pursuing a thriving career field is becoming a distant dream for many as affordability is becoming a problem. Many students are researching the cheapest online sociology degree programs to help reduce the financial burden. In this section, we will present you with the most affordable online masters in sociology. While these programs may be considered the cheapest online sociology degrees, they are certainly not cheap in terms of the program quality, graduation rates, or program content. Here is the list:
Link to this Page| College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Texas A & M University, Commerce 2600 South Neal Street, Commerce, Texas 75428 | $3,630 | 43% |
| #2 New Mexico State University 2850 Weddell Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 | $4,844 | 48% |
| #3 Texas Woman’s University 304 Administration Dr, Denton, Texas 76204 | $4,973 | 43% |
| #4 University of Nebraska, Omaha 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68182 | $5,558 | 50% |
| #5 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340 | $5,765 | 54% |
| #6 Arizona State University 1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257 | $6,384 | 4% |
| #7 Auburn University, Montgomery 7440 East Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117 | $7,362 | 34% |
| #8 South Dakota State University 1004 Campanile Ave, Brookings, South Dakota 57007 | $8,083 | 56% |
| #9 University of Alabama, Birmingham Administration Bldg Suite 1070, Birmingham, Alabama 35294 | $8,100 | 63% |
| #10 Grand Canyon University 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85017 | $10,175 | 41% |
| #11 Morehead State University University Blvd, Morehead, Kentucky 40351 | $10,260 | 46% |
| #12 Virginia Commonwealth University 910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284 | $12,701 | 67% |
| #13 Eastern Michigan University 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 | $18,912 | 46% |
| #14 Saybrook University 55 W Eureka Street, Pasadena, California 91103 | $23,589 | NA |
| #15 University of Denver 2199 S. University Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80208 | $51,336 | 77% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Understanding Masters in Sociology Programs
During your sociology study, you will start to perceive society, analyze the communities, and individual reactions to different relationships daily through a different lens. This knowledge gained through the master’s program will benefit students to pursue lucrative and satisfactory careers. This section will further break down the online masters in sociology programs and provides information about all aspects of these degrees.
Online Masters in Sociology Degree Types
Sociology courses are formed with different layers with varying levels of learning. Sociology graduates understand how to engage and integrate each topic from the program to the larger society. Students gain advanced knowledge and skills in quantitative approaches, ethnographic studies, understanding Race, and more. Masters in Sociology programs are offered as two main degree types – Masters of Arts in Sociology (MA Sociology) or Masters of Science in Sociology (MS Sociology).
MA Sociology
Master of Arts in Sociology (MA Sociology) degrees are research and practice programs that prepare students to pursue a doctoral program or plan for a career in social advocacy, human services, research, etc. During this master’s program, students learn the patterns of social relationships, social interactions that impact individuals or family, or work. Students are trained with useful knowledge to take up a thriving career in social services, crisis intervention.
MS Sociology
Master of Science in Sociology programs prepped with a scientific study of sociological methods, theory, and the community’s growing concerns like – health, aging, socio-economic development, etc. Students are equipped with the required research skills to define these social issues, pick data collection techniques, create proper analysis, and develop reports. As a graduate of MS in Sociology, students are trained to pursue careers as professional sociologists.
Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in Sociology Programs
Sociology is all about humankind’s external manifestations, understanding and perceiving society, its activities, and the parameters influencing it’s working. This in-depth and foundational knowledge of societal behavior requires independent, critical, and analyzing human thinking and its impact on society. A master’s in sociology equips students precisely with these skills. And to get well equipped with these skills, the curriculum plays a significant role. Generally, the curriculum for masters in sociology programs would be the same across all the universities. Every university’s shared goal is to provide and train in-depth knowledge in every topic related to sociology. Here are some of the courses that are offered as part of the Masters in sociology program.
- Social inequality: This course is about the factors that influence the members of a society, based on a perceived class, ethnicity, financial status, and political influence. This course also analyzes the effects of inequality on the larger society and its long-term impact.
- Politics: This area of study deals with political trends that have changed over time, their influence on social functioning, and the comparison of different political systems during social cohesion.
- Critical Race and Ethnicity: Critical race and ethnicity courses deal with sociological thinking evolution concerning Race and ethnicity.
- Health and Society: This course is about policy analysis and applied research that includes health and healthcare sociology.
Accreditation for Online Masters in Sociology Programs
Pursuing an online master’s in sociology is a good step to enhance careers. Still, as prospective sociologists or influencers of society, students should also know that signing up for accredited programs is the best way. Accreditation is a process where the programs are evaluated by accrediting agencies, which ensure the university/institution is offering the best and quality education. Find out more about accreditation on the best guide on accreditation. The following organization mainly accredits sociology programs.
CAPCAS: Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology (CAPCAS) is an organization that offers programmatic accreditation to programs like applied, clinical, public sociology, and sociological practices.
Read more about general Accreditation.
Timeline for graduation from Masters in Sociology Programs
Pursuing and completing a graduate program is totally at the discretion of the students and the universities. However, the timeline for a master’s in sociology online is a two-to-three-year effort. Typical programs require students to earn 30-40 credits. Other factors that determine the timelines include – part-time vs. full-time, required prerequisites, undergraduate degree transferred credits, etc. Some universities offer accelerated programs.
Online Masters in Sociology Programs Admission Requirements
Generally, the admission requirements for a Master’s in sociology online is common across all the universities. However, before applying for the selected university, students need to check the complete list of admission requirements for the program and submit accordingly. The enrolment process for the program only starts if students submit all the required documents. Here is the list of prerequisites and admission materials most universities ask for:
| Undergraduate Degree | Before applying for the master’s program, ensure that you have completed your bachelor’s degree in sociology. |
| GPA | Most of the schools will look for a minimum GPA score of 3.0 |
| Application and Application fee | You must submit the application form along with the mentioned application fee. |
| Transcripts | All the transcripts related to your previous education must be submitted during the admission |
| GRE Scores | Most of the universities would ask for standardized test scores such as GRE or GMAT. |
Online Masters in Sociology No GRE Programs
The admission process for each online master’s in sociology program is different. While most universities require a standardized test score like GRE, some universities do not have a GRE requirement. These universities do not want to create an artificial barrier for admission to the programs. Here are a few universities that offer Online Masters in Sociology No GRE programs:
How to Pay for Online Master’s in Sociology Programs
Many students stop higher education aspirational for financial reasons. And the rising tuition costs are only worsening the situation. According to CNBC analysis, the university fee has increased more than 25% in the past decade, making it tough for students. There are many ways students overcome this challenge, such as – student loans, grants, scholarships, financial aids, etc. Another popular way that students find their higher education is by using employer tuition reimbursement programs. Students should check with their employers to see if they offer such reimbursement programs. Other students rely on federal student loan programs. The first step in applying for any federal financial assistance is by filling out the FAFSA form.
To know and understand more about the financial aid process, read the best guide on financial aid.
Scholarships for Masters in Sociology Students
Scholarships are one of the best ways that students find their higher educational aspirations. While these scholarships may not fully find masters in sociology programs, they will certainly help reduce the burden. We researched and created a list of scholarships for which online masters in sociology students may be able to apply:
This scholarship is offered to extraordinary students with a proven record of academics in the sociology discipline. Deadline: March, Award Amount: $50,000
NSF graduate research fellowship program
This program recognizes and encourages outstanding students in NSF-supported disciplines. Deadline: Varies, Award Amount: Varies
Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research
If you are interested in getting hands-on learning through experiments and research, this financial aid helps you achieve it. Deadline: Varies, Award Amount: $5,000
The Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies
This program encourages students or candidates interested in the advanced study of the HolocaustDeadline: Jan, Award Amount: $20,000
The WIFLE Scholarship program is granted to students with good academic potential and committed to serving communities in law enforcement. Deadline: May, Award Amount: Varies
Careers and Salary Outlook for Sociology Masters Graduates
With the advent of globalization, the nature of the required skills to understand and engage the diverse and integrated world is rapidly changing. Sociology professionals can easily fulfill these rapidly changing skillset requirements. Many students who pursue online masters in sociology take up careers involving deep analysis. These roles involve surveying factors that impact society and human behaviors. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a demand for Sociologists in the job market. While the wages may not seem very high, there is a lot of room for growth in this field. Here is some more information about the career and salary outlook for sociology master’s graduates.
| Job Title | Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sociologists | Sociologists understand human relationships and suggest possible ways to improve the quality of life across a population spectrum. Sociologists conduct research and social experiments to understand the communities’ different issues and offer potential solutions. | $56,042 |
| Survey Researchers | Survey Researcher roles involve developing and conducting research on a wide range of topics. Survey Researchers collect the data, analyze, summarize, and present it to the requested party. | $57,437 |
| Counselors | Counselors and therapists study sociology to understand the patterns of their patients. Using the techniques that learn in sociology programs, Counsellors diagnose the patient’s behavioral patterns. | $48,841 |
| Investigators | Sociology professionals also work as Investigators and help law enforcement officials. Investigators provide vital analysis about the cases that the law enforcement officers are pursuing by using sociology skills. | $65,980 |
| Political Scientists | Political Scientists identify and analyze the different patterns in a society based on the socio-economic condition and provide commentary recommendations. | $53,446 |
Certifications and Licensing for Sociology Masters Graduates
The field of sociology is diverse, and there is intense competition. Many students enroll in online masters in sociology programs to beat the competition with the advanced skills and advanced degree they will earn from the sociology master’s programs. However, certain certifications will make their candidature stand out ahead of the competition. Here are a few certifications that will put students ahead of the curve.
- Public Sociology Graduate Certificate: This certification is for students with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. During this certification program, students confront public issues and social problems. Students learn about applying sociological theory and research for contemporary problems and exploring different social structures and systems.
- Certified Sociological Practitioner: Supported by the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (AACS), Certified Sociological Practitioner certification recognizes the competency among students interested in learning to apply their sociology skills and professionals looking to strengthen skillsets.
- Certified Clinical Sociologist: This certification is also promoted by AACS, which is the highest certification by the association. It will train students in applying positive social change through theory and research.
- Certificate in Survey Research: This certification is conducted by the University of Chicago and provides a strong foundation for different survey research methodologies and applications.
Additional Resources for Sociology Professionals
A master’s in sociology online would not be enough to understand how the learnings can be applied or used in the real world. It requires good networking and a platform to showcase the skills, meeting peers to know about scholarships, careers, and much more. Sociology students and professionals can find such platforms in sociology associations, organizations, conferences, etc. Here are some of the additional resources for sociology students and professionals that would help in connecting with others in the same field:
- American Sociological Association: This professional association helps students, teachers, researchers, and professionals from the sociology field to connect through conferences, public policy committees, etc., and discuss their common area of interest (sociology).
- International Sociological Association: The goal of ISA is to represent and connect sociologists worldwide irrespective of their school, research methodologies, and ideological opinions.
- Society for the Study of Social Problems: The goal of SSP is to support original research in the field and award members with scholarships during the annual meeting.
- Council on Social Work Education: This council supports networking for sociology professionals working in the social work education areas.
