Bachelor of Arts: Sociology Major (4-Year)

Number of credits required from Athabasca University: 30 credits.

Maximum credit awarded in this program for prior learning through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes: 9 credits.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of completing this program, students should be able to

• demonstrate a developed knowledge base and acquired skills related to the study of the structures and functions of social institutions.
• exhibit familiarity with the key concepts of sociology and the main substantive areas of sociological research.
• demonstrate a comprehension of the links between the social, economic, political, cultural and ecological aspects of our everyday worlds in a changing global society.

Program Goals

The general program goals are to

• make accessible to beginning students and professionals in Canada a globally accessible, high quality academic program.
• enable students and professionals to use a sociological imagination to analyze and understand their own life experiences.
• provide students the skills and resources to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of other — non-western, non-capitalist — world views and social practices.
• introduce students to the historical legacy of social thought and social research.
• equip students with the conceptual and methodological skills to enter public sector employment.

Possible Career Options

The following possible career options may require some sociology courses:

• Social Researcher
• Journalist
• Human Services Worker
• Police Officer
• Early Childhood Development
• Correctional Officer (Guard, Parole Officer, Probationary Officer)
• Counsellor
• Therapist
• Policy Researcher
• Teacher
• Special Needs Assistant
• Caregiver
• Community Organizer
• Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Worker
• Industrial Relations Officer
• English as a Second Language (ESL)Teacher

Note: If you are looking to become a register Social Worker, a Bachelor of Social Work is usually required. For more information, please read "How to Become a Social Worker".

Possible Further Education Options

At Athabasca University

• Master of Arts – Integrated Studies (MAIS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Health Studies (MHS)
• Master of Education in Distance Education (MEd)
• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Master of Counselling (MC)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Counselling

At Other Educational Institutions*

The following further education options may require some sociology courses.

Disciplinary Studies

• sociology
• education
• political economy
• history
• philosophy

Interdisciplinary Studies

• environmental studies
• labour studies
• multicultural studies
• diaspora studies
• post-colonial studies
• women’s studies
• media studies
• global studies
• peace and conflict studies
• communication studies
• gender studies
• gerontology
• religious studies

Professional Studies

• journalism
• social work
• counselling
• law enforcement
• nursing
• other human services studies

General Interest Student

• pop culture
• current affairs
• social issues

* Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other educational institutions.

Updated March 25, 2009