What Will I Learn in Sociology Courses?
A degree in sociology could lead you to a career as a sociologist, a professor or an assistant professor in sociology, a school counselor or a case manager, depending on the degree level obtained. Courses in sociology may cover violence in American society, class and race, ethnicity and gender, social inequalities and social problems. These courses provide skills that are marketable not just in sociology, but for many jobs.
Sociology Course Skills Overview
<p>Sociology is the study of the collective behavior, development, structure and functioning of social institutions and organized groups. Courses in this discipline offer useful skills in topics such as group behavior, cross-cultural relations and ethical issues.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutSociologists">Important Facts About Sociologists</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> Typically, a bachelor's degree, writing samples, reference letters & standardized test scores for master's programs</td></tr>
<tr><td> Degree Fields </td><td> Management & society, sociology & global public health</td></tr>
<tr><td> Common Courses</td><td> Crime & justice, social psychology, education & society</td></tr>
<tr><td> Online Availability</td><td> Some programs are wholly available online</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $92,910*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 5%*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---GroupBehaviorCulturalDifferencesEthicsSkills">Group Behavior, Cultural Differences & Ethics Skills</h3>
<p>Through sociology courses, even introductory courses, students learn a variety of sociology-related skills, including understanding how human behavior affects culture. These skills can help students as they come to understand the individuals they study and work with in research or in their daily lives. Acquired skills may include:
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<ul><li><b>Insight into group behavior:</b> Identify people who will work well together or make assessments about what is happening to disturb the group dynamics.
</li><li><b>Cultural understanding:</b> Familiarize yourself with cultural trends that affect how society works.
</li><li><b>Cross-cultural understanding:</b> Grow to understand how other cultures work and develop an appreciation for them.
</li><li><b>Interaction with other cultures:</b> Understand how to work well with races, genders and backgrounds different from your own and understand the diversity in the world today.
</li><li><b>Recognize ethical issues in research:</b> Understand how ethics vary in different cultures, groups and societies and how to address them.
</li></ul><h3 id="section---OtherMarketableSkills">Other Marketable Skills</h3>
<p>Every degree program offers more than just skills for the major subject. Through courses in sociology, students can further develop skills that are useful in their everyday lives and transferable to any job they obtain. These include:
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<ul><li>Problem-solving skills
</li><li>Analytical skills
</li><li>Research skills
</li><li>Communication
</li><li>Leadership
</li><li>Ability to work well under pressure
</li><li>Conflict resolution
</li><li>Human resource skills
</li><li>Ability to use statistical software
</li><li>Data interpretation</li></ul>