Sociology

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Options available

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts & Science
  • Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education
  • Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Management

Campus

  • Lethbridge

Intake

Fall & Spring

Program description

Sociology is the study of society, including the interaction between individuals, groups, and institutions. Sociological study helps develop original ways of looking at the world and the individual’s place within it.

The application of sociological thinking can lead to a better understanding of social problems and issues and suggestions about how these issues may be overcome in real-world terms.

By studying sociology, you will gain insight into how people interact with one another and how values and beliefs both shape and are shaped by the structures and processes around us. The primary goal of the discipline is to stimulate sociological thinking — applying imagination and critical analysis to the many facets of social life.

As a sociology student, you will be exposed to a wide variety of alternative theories of social behaviour, structure, and change through a wide range of courses on topics such as: crime, religion, work, gender, age, ethnicity, politics, culture and health.

Minors | Adding a minor to your degree is a great way to explore academic interests beyond your major. A minor is a set of courses comprising a secondary focus of interest generally not related to your major. A minor may be required or optional.

Honours thesis | If your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an undergraduate thesis course. This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.

Experience learning | Our students have a number of experiential learning opportunities available to them including co-operative education, international exchanges, independent and applied studies as well as volunteer opportunities. uLethbridge is the only university in Alberta to offer co-operative education to all majors in the arts & sciences, at both the undergrad and grad level. Transfer students can actually head out on their first work term before ever stepping foot on campus! For example, many transfer students have completed a summer work term before starting classes in September.​​​​

Skills acquired | By studying sociology, you’ll not only broaden your understanding of the world around you, you’ll also develop strong critical, analytical and “big picture” thinking skills, advanced information acquisition and management skills, and your ability to apply your knowledge across various disciplines. Additionally, you will develop written and oral communication skills, as well as increasing your attention to detail. All of these abilities are transferable to virtually any industry or occupation and are highly sought after in the working world.

Possible careers

Related Fields. There are numerous career options open to sociology graduates, like:

  • Social Work
  • Criminal Justice
  • Rehabilitation Counselling
  • Services for Youth
  • Women’s Rights Lobbying
  • Family Services
  • Employment Counselling
  • Human Resources
  • Admissions Counselling
  • Policy Analysis
  • Market Research
  • Population Demographics
  • Civil Service
  • Community Relations Specialists
  • Urban Planners
  • Child Care Workers
  • Corporate Trainers
  • Public Affairs Officers
  • Statisticians
  • Instructors

Professional disciplines & graduate studies | Your undergraduate degree in sociology also provides an excellent foundation for law, journalism, management and education. The University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies offers programs at the master's and doctoral levels spanning over 60 disciplines — so why not consider pursuing grad school right here in Lethbridge! Whether you choose to do your advanced studies at uLethbridge or another institution, know that your undergraduate degree has set you on the path to post-graduate success.

Admission requirements

General-ALL-ALL

​For admission, Canadian high school students in Alberta must have completed five of the following courses with a minimum 65% average across them:

This course
  • English Language Arts 30-1
Three of these courses
  • Aboriginal Studies 30
  • Art 30 or Art 31
  • Biology 30
  • Chemistry 30
  • Choral Music 30, General Music 30, or Instrumental Music 30
  • Dance 35
  • Drama 30
  • Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2
  • Mathematics 31
  • Physics 30
  • Science 30
  • Social Studies 30-1
  • Five credits in Advanced-level CTS Computer Science (CSE)
  • One or more distinct languages at the 30 level
One additional
  • That has not already been used
  • May be from the list above
  • Must be at the 30 level
  • Must be worth at least five credits (multiple courses worth a total of five or more credits can be used)
  • Cannot be a Special Project

 

First year cost estimator

For Sociology

Let us help you understand your tuition and fees for your first year at the University of Lethbridge.

As a student of sociology, I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the complexities of our society, and the different ways through which different individuals view and understand the world. I have met amazing professors and fellow students at various stages of my journey, and am thrilled about the overt and subtle ways through which I am able to identify and engage with what I learn within the confines of the classroom. It is not just theories for me, but the fact that everything I learn about has real-world implications.
- Eileen, Sociology (Co-op)

Sample classes

Course selections for the program will vary, but may include:

  • Social Inequality
  • Research Methodology
  • Classical Sociological Theory
  • Contemporary Sociological Theory
  • Quantitative Research Methods
  • Social Problems
  • Deviance, Conformity & Social Control