Sociology is the study of human relationships and how environments, cultures, societies and politics affect these relationships. A degree in sociology is grouped into the “social sciences” alongside anthropology, economics, political science and psychology.
Studying sociology provides graduates a broad foundation of skills, which can be applied alongside those gained in “hard sciences” such as engineering and biology.
There are a handful of benefits to studying this field. Students in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology online program from William Paterson University (WP) gain knowledge about cultures and human relationships and are ready to engage with different populations.
Learn More About People and Systems
Enrolling in higher education allows students to learn about the cultures and systems that make up the United States and the world. The more they learn about these elements of human relationships, the more they will understand people in general and what drives them.
For example, the Social Inequality course in WP’s program “examines inequality in the U.S. focusing primarily on race, gender, class, sexuality, and ethnicity, among other dimensions of inequality. It examines the global origins and structural organization of inequality and how it works in and through institutions such as work, family, education, healthcare, media, and politics.”
Learning about social inequalities allows individuals to form different perspectives from what they thought already to be true and anticipate individuals’ actions. This is a critical social and professional skill to have in life as this article states: “By studying societal behavior, you can make comparisons, attempt to solve issues and have a rational perception of society’s frustrating habits.”
Those who study sociology will have a better understanding of humankind and can work in various settings that positively impact people.
Make a Direct Impact on People
Most students study sociology because they want to make a difference in the world. Sociologists are sources of good in the community, whether they choose to work directly with people in a social services role or dedicate their lives to important research.
WP’s degree program allows students to explore electives in relevant skill areas like the social organization of work, juvenile delinquency, inequality and criminal justice or sociology of the family.
Depending on which sociology electives students choose, they could be prepared to work with a wide range of groups, including children, families, ex-offenders, government and grassroots organizations.
Develop Skills for a Variety of Professional Endeavors
Students in WP’s Sociology B.A. program engage in fascinating coursework, social research and experiential learning opportunities. WP’s program equips students with a handful of abilities for a variety of professional endeavors. These include skills in the following areas:
- Critical thinking
- Analytics
- Reading, writing and oral communication
- Quantitative literacy and statistical reasoning
- Social justice and diversity outreach development
- Research (like literature review, data collection and data analysis)
- Social (including e-communication skills, ability to interact with people from different social backgrounds, cultural competence and empathy)
When you graduate with the skills listed above, you’ll be prepared to work in many fields. Common fields graduates can pursue with a sociology degree include social work, law, counseling, marketing, human resources and health services.
No Better Time to Earn Your Sociology Degree
WP’s Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program is designed for adult learners who need the flexibility a fully online degree program offers. With this in mind, students may transfer up to 90 approved credit hours to decrease cost and time to completion.
Graduates can pursue a variety of professional sociology opportunities that make a positive difference in the world and solidify the importance of studying social systems and human relationships.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program.
