• Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    120
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $242.48
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $352.96

Sociology, BS

Bachelor Of Science

US News and World Report - best bachelor's 2023

Sociology is the scientific study of society, social institutions, and social relationships. It examines the complex social, economic, political, and technological challenges facing our society today. 

The IU Online Bachelor of Science in Sociology explores the discipline of sociology, the sociological perspective, and the contribution of sociology to our understanding of social reality. You learn to identify sociological imagination in source material, explain the importance of the relationship between biography and history, analyze issues from multiple points of view, and assess the historical and social structural contexts of an argument.

As a student in the program, you use qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine social life. You study the major theoretical arguments and key concepts of functionalist theory, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and social constructionism. You develop deep understanding of the structure and functions of social inequalities and hierarchies of difference and power. You also examine how agency, culture, and social structure operate in society. 

Your IU Online BS in Sociology prepares you for such careers as:

  • Social researcher
  • Policy analyst
  • Survey researcher
  • Human resources specialist
  • Urban planner
  • Market research analyst
  • Public relations specialist
  • Journalist
  • Management consultant
  • Guidance counselor

Degree Requirements

To graduate with your BS in Sociology, you must complete 120 credit hours. You may be able to transfer an associate degree or up to 64 credit hours from a regionally accredited two-year college and up to 90 credit hours from a regionally accredited four-year college or university.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Sociology core courses including Capstone (21 credit hours)
  • Sociology elective courses (27 credit hours)
  • General education courses (30-42 credit hours)
  • General elective courses (as needed to total 120 credit hours)

IU Online provides friendly services and resources to help you succeed.

Download a printable PDF summary of the BS in Sociology. 

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

To apply to this program:
  • Complete application for admission. 
  • Submit official transcripts.
  • Submit official high school transcript or equivalent (may be required of some applicants). 
  • International applicants may be asked for additional materials.
Application Deadlines

Rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.

Courses

Core

ALL core courses are listed here. You will select from among these courses to fulfill degree requirements.

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

This course involves students working in organizations where they apply or gain practical insight into sociological concepts, theories, and knowledge. Students analyze their experiences through work logs, a paper, and regular meetings with the internship director.
Introduction to theoretical and empirical studies of social change. Explores issues such as modernization; rationalization; demographic, economic and religious causes of change; reform and revolution.
Why are income, wealth, and status distributed unequally? Is social inequality good for society? Explores the economic basis of social class; education and culture; social mobility; social inequality in comparative and historical perspective.
Personality and its development; relationship to culture and communication and to social settings; deviant types.
A survey of methods and techniques used by sociologists and other social scientists for gathering and interpreting information about human social behavior.
The logic of scientific work in sociology; theory construction; major research designs, including experiments, sample surveys, and ethnographic field studies; methods of sampling; measurement of variables.
Measures of central tendency, dispersion, standardizing and normalizing procedures, and simple index numbers. Simple notions of probability as related to statistical inference (means, proportions, binomial distribution, chi-square, simple regression).
Designed to bring together an interplay of ideas gained through the behavioral and social sciences. Students will debate and discuss the different perspectives and approaches of the behavioral and social sciences to current issues and problems.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $242.48
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $727.44
Note:  Additional fees will apply.
Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $352.96
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1,058.88
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