Major map:
Sociology
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Sociology is the study of human social life, focusing on developing an understanding of changes in social structure and human interaction on an individual, societal and global level. At the heart of sociology, we are investigating social forces to understand freedom and constraint. The "sociological imagination" helps us explore how the world we live in, shapes what we do, and how we do it.
Sociology students will learn about a diverse range of topics including: crime and justice, health, indigenous knowledge, surveillance and control, development, migration, education, equality, family, gender and sexuality, work and more!
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying sociology at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
SOC 111.3 | Foundations in Sociology Society Structure Process
SOC 112.3 | Foundations in Sociology Social Construction of Everyday Life
You choose
- From a variety of SOC courses to fulfill your degree requirements
- Sociology Program Options: three-year B.A., four-year B.A., and Honours B.A. options among other offered program paths
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- If you're an Indigenous student, consider applying to the Indigenous Justice and Criminology (IJC) concentration
- The Department of Sociology provides drop-in advising every March and April for students who've declared their sociology major
What will I learn?
- Identify social factors that impact quality of life in our communities
- Explain how systems of power and governance influence individual experience and opportunity
- Solve issues of social disparity in health, justice, and education
- Apply critical thinking skills to address ethical values in business, governance, and society
- Describe effective policy and action to create socially just communities
Gain relevant experience
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
- Enroll in a First Year Research Experience (FYRE) course to have a meaningful research, scholarly, or artistic experience
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Consider joining the Sociology Undergraduate Students Association (SUSA) to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
SOC 232.3 | Methods of Social Research
SOC 233.3 | Introduction to Sociological Theory
You choose
- One of the following courses (3 cu) to fulfill your degree requirements: SOC 225.3, PSY 233.3 OR STAT 244.3
- From a variety of 200-level and 300-level courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks or meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Declare your major in the PAWS Arts and Science channel
- To apply to the Sociology BA Honours program, consult with an academic advisor before registering for your second year
- Consider choosing a minor in Crime, Law, and Justice Studies
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.
- Crime, Law, and Justice Studies (minor)
- Criminology and Addictions (certificate)
- Dual Degree (study in China and Canada)
- Indigenous Justice and Criminology (concentration)
Gain relevant experience
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
- Become a peer mentor with the College of Arts and Science, Student Learning Services, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Gain relevant experience by enrolling in experiential learning sociology options such as:
SOC 325.3 | Applied Quantitative Research in Sociology
Criminology and Addictions Certificate
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
- Attend the annual Sorokin Lectures, featuring eminent speakers addressing contemporary issues and debates for the field of sociology
- Interested in studying in both Canada and China? Meet with an academic advisor to discuss the dual degree option
Get career ready
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
- Select an area of emphasis in sociology related to your skill development and future career goals: crime and justice, health and illness, or migration studies
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nuturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
You choose
- From a variety of 300-level and 400-level courses to fulfill your degree requirements
All 400-level courses are conducted as seminars and emphasize theoretical issues. Be sure to apply to graduate during the first term of your final year.
Academic tips
- Consider applying to a graduate program in sociology. The Department of Sociology provides a research supportive environment with graduate funding available to students who have obtained at least an 80% average
- The Department of Sociology Graduate Awards provides a minimum of $1000 annually to successful applicants
- Consider applying to additional professional programs or graduate studies in:
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Consider connecting with the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA)
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
- Review the additional job search sites to find unique opportunties
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nuturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Possible destinations
People with a sociology degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Addicitons Counselling
- Administrative Officers
- Admissions Counsellor
- Advertising
- Case Worker
- Community Services
- Consumer Realtions
- Corrections
- Counselling
- Criminal Justice
- Early Childhood Education
- Foreign Services
- Fundraising
- Health Outreach
- Information Services Consultant
- Insurance Agent
- Legislative Assistant
- Marketing
- Occupational Counselling
- Post-Secondary Recruitment
- Policy Research
- Program Coordinator
- Public Relations
- Public Health Educator
- Rehabilitation
- Retail and Wholesale Trades Management
- Social Services
- Social Researcher
- Teaching
- Youth Justice
My major in Sociology helped me to develop the foundation for my now 32-year career, as a social worker. In order to best understand how to help others, I needed to develop critical thinking skills and study the socio-political factors that influence disparity in our community and country. I acquired the necessary analytical skills, and a basic understanding of the importance and use of data and its application in the formation of social policy throughout my 3 year Sociology program. I have been a Registered Social Worker serving in various administrative roles for the last 22 years, and I continue to draw upon concepts learned in my Sociology education, applying them to program development, and planning as well as advocacy function.
—Tracy Muggli, USask alumni, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW (SK)
Where do USask alumni work?
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Elizabeth Fry Society
- Government of Saskatchewan
- John Howard Society
- Lighthouse Supported Living Inc.
- OUTSaskatoon
- Prairie Harm Reduction
- Saskatchewan Health Authority
- Statistics Canada
- University of Manitoba
- University of Regina
- University of Saskatchewan
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"After taking classes in sociology, I found a discipline that challenged me and had me asking more questions... I am contemplating post graduate education, and this was all made possible by the talented professors and lecturers in the sociology department. I have not only obtained skills for a job, I have been lucky enough to find a passion for learning and a desire to know more through research."
—Mark, fourth year sociology honours student
"Sociology has helped me to see both the forest and the trees, recognizing the role individual pieces play in the greater puzzle. Having an eye to both means I have a clearer understanding of both individual and organizational goals, and further can occupy leadership roles with greater knowledge, compassion and pragmatism."
—James, BA (honours) in sociology, PhD in community and population health sciences