10 Top Double Majors With a Sociology Degree
Sociology examines societies and their relationships. Explore double majors that can go with sociology, including criminal justice, business, and journalism.
Sociology is the study of how society impacts individuals and how individuals impact society. It's an area of study that can have implications for many different industries and fields.
As a result, sociology can be paired with many different double majors. Keep reading to discover some of the best double majors for sociology.
Sociology Double Majors
Because sociology focuses on society, there are several double majors that work well with a sociology major. We've listed some of the best double majors with sociology below.
History
History majors study our past and often focus on societies of the past, making it an excellent double major with sociology. Courses often focus on specific eras of history and specific societies and cultures throughout history.
A history and sociology double major provides you with a strong understanding of society both current and present. It can open doors to careers in academia or research, as well as a variety of other career paths.
Social Justice
Social justice is a field of study focused on human rights and social justice issues for particular social groups. Social justice majors often study how social justice relates to:
- gender
- immigration
- race
- sexuality
A double major in sociology and social justice creates a strong foundation in advocacy and can be a great springboard for law school. It can also pave the way for careers in business, academia, and research.
Criminal Justice
Criminal justice is a major that centers on criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. They often cover topics such as:
- criminology
- law enforcement
- legal systems
- forensic science
A double major in criminal justice and sociology can give you a unique perspective within the criminal justice field. It's also a combination that works well for law school and advocacy.
Criminology
Criminology is a major similar to criminal justice, but it isn't exactly the same. Criminal justice focuses on law and legal systems, while criminology works to understand criminals and their motivations. Topics may include:
- abnormal psychology
- public policy and crime
- research methods in criminology
- sociological aspects of crime
Pairing sociology and criminology creates a strong foundation for a career in forensic psychology or a similar field. It can also be a great precursor to law school.
Business
Business degrees may be offered as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in business, or as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). These often cover multiple facets of business, such as:
- economics
- finance
- management
- marketing
With a double major in business and sociology, you'll be poised to understand how business decisions impact society, and how society impacts business. This can make you a valuable asset in the business field.
Journalism
Journalism majors study the most effective ways to gather, compose, and disseminate information. Coursework often covers topics such as:
- journalism ethics
- journalism history
- mass media
- multimedia tools
Someone who double majors in journalism and sociology will have a solid grasp of how journalism influences society and vice versa. As a result, you'll bring valuable knowledge to your roles in journalism.
Social Work
Social work programs teach students how to navigate, improve, and work with people within the welfare system. Topics covered in these programs include:
- social justice
- social work ethics
- social work policies
- social work research
By coupling a degree in sociology with a major in social work, you'll graduate with a deep understanding of how welfare systems affect society and how society affects welfare systems. This area of study can help you in fields like social work, counseling, or criminal justice.
Psychology
Psychology is a field that studies human behavior and the mental processes that influence that behavior. There are many fields of psychology that may be covered in a psychology program, like:
- abnormal psychology
- counseling psychology
- criminal psychology
- developmental psychology
Those who double major in psychology and sociology will have a more holistic understanding of how society affects an individual's psyche. This is a solid double major for those who want careers in psychology or counseling.
Statistics
Statistics is a type of mathematics that trains students to gather, analyze, and interpret data. Courses often cover topics like:
- calculus
- data analysis
- probability
- research
Statistics is frequently used in sociology. For someone who wants to go into sociology research or academia, adding a double major in statistics can help them greatly.
Philosophy
Philosophy is a vast field that studies things like consciousness, free will, and morality. A philosophy program may include topics such as:
- culture and philosophy
- human nature
- philosophy history
- political philosophy
Philosophy programs are excellent for honing critical thinking, reasoning, and writing skills. A double major in philosophy and sociology is excellent for those who want careers in research or academia.
What Is a Double Major?
A double major means that you're earning one degree, but pursuing two majors. This often requires you to complete coursework for both majors, but you will likely only have one final project.
While this requires a more strenuous course load, with careful planning, you can still finish within a normal amount of time for a bachelor's degree.
Double Major vs. Dual Degree
A dual degree is a little different than a double major, as it indicates that you're earning two separate degrees at one time. This means two course loads and two final projects.
Some students choose to earn two bachelor's degrees concurrently. Others choose a dual bachelor's-to-master's degree program, which allows them to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in the same field in less time than it would take to earn each degree separately.
FAQs About Double Majoring With Sociology
Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about double majoring with sociology.
Can You Double Major With Sociology?
You can certainly double major with sociology. However, depending on your school or program, there may be limits on what double majors you can choose.
Is a Double Major With Sociology Worth It?
Many students find a double major with sociology to be worth it as it opens up a secondary career path. For example, a double degree in sociology and business allows students to go into the business field.
What Are the Benefits of Double Majoring With Sociology?
The biggest benefit to double majoring with sociology is that you have a greater range of career options. Your knowledge in sociology can also make you a prime candidate for more niche roles that require specific knowledge bases and skill sets.
Will a Double Major With Sociology Improve My Career Outlook?
For many, a double major with sociology improves their career outlook. Not only can it give you a greater variety of job options, but employers may prefer to hire someone with a greater understanding of society as a whole.