Sociology (BA)

Curious about how society influences us and how we can influence it? Dive into contemporary social issues and discover how individuals and groups work to improve communities. Explore the dynamic interactions between health, government, crime, and other societal elements that shape your social experience. Graduate with in-demand skills and a deep understanding of these complex systems.

Laurier's Sociology program open doors to careers in government, non-profits, education, and the private sector.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on: 

  • Career-Ready Curriculum: Follow in the footsteps of other successful grads and complement your Sociology major with a minor in Criminology or Policing. This combination often leads to successful admission to the Ontario Police College, opening doors to careers in law enforcement and social services.
  • Pathway to Grad School: Pursue a Master of Social Work degree after you graduate, or start your Sociology program with a conditional offer for our full-time MBA (with co-op) program.
  • Specialize in Social Research: specialize in Applied Social Research by taking advanced methods courses in your later years. Graduate equipped to conduct impactful research on human and societal behavior.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more):

  • Co-op: Apply to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies.  Develop skills and gain real-world experience in the career path of your interest. 
  • Community Service Learning: Participate in Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses that blendoutside-the-classroom experiences with academic content through placements or projects, and guided critical reflection.
  • Professional Societies: Join the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) as a student member for opportunities to attend conferences to hear from and interact with experts in the field.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Core Courses

  • Introduction to Sociology I: Critical Foundations
  • Introduction to Sociology II: Exploring Social Life

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Women and Gender Studies
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • Literature and Crime

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Sociology of Families
  • Sociology of Health and Illness
  • Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
  • Sociology of Crime
  • Interviews and Focus Groups

Specialization

Sociology students interested in research related to human and societal behaviour can choose to take advanced methods courses in their upper years and add the Applied Social Research Specialization to their honours degree. 

 

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Psychology Minor
  • Criminology Minor
  • Policing Minor
  • Public Safety Option
  • Legal Studies Option
  • Social Entrepreneurship Option
  • Teaching Option

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Business Pathways

Enhance your degree with a Management Option or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA in Combination with a Master of Business Administration with co-op. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • addictions counsellor
  • community development coordinator
  • criminologist
  • disability/diversity consultant
  • health care administrator
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • marriage and family therapist
  • mediator/labour relations
  • public relations specialist
  • social worker
  • victims advocate

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate future-ready.

Future Laurier Arts students have two options to engage in co-op. You can apply in first-year to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies.

You can also get a head-start and apply for direct admission to our brand-new co-op program straight from high school in select Arts programs. In both pathways, you will gain 12 months of career experience.

Interested? Learn more about co-op in the Faculty of Arts.

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98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?