Program Overview

Sociology Degree Program

The Sociology degree program at the University of Waterloo is designed to help students understand how social forces shape the modern world. Through this program, students will study human activity and interaction, learning to think and write clearly about complex issues.

Overview

The program covers a wide range of topics, including inequality, poverty, crime, and criminal justice, as well as everyday interactions. Students will explore topics such as age, class, ethnicity, religion, gender, criminality, education, work, social change, and politics.

What Courses Will You Take in Sociology?

As an Arts student, you will choose your major at the end of first year. You are encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

First-Year Courses

You will take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year. In this course, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in this course, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.

You can choose to study Sociology through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

• SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology
• ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
• Prospective major #2
• 2 electives

Honours Arts and Business

• ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
• ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
• SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology
• Prospective major #2
• Elective

After First Year

40% of the classes you will take will be Sociology courses. You can then choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo, such as law, psychology, and social sciences.

Sample Upper-Year Courses

• SOC 207 – Sociology of Education
• SOC 223 – Deviance: Perspectives and Processes
• SOC 418 – Social Theory and Popular Culture
• SOC 451 – Global Development

Customize Your Degree in Sociology

You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular minors for Sociology students include Legal Studies, Political Science, and History.

Faculty and Degree

• Faculty: Faculty of Arts
• Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Available as a co-op program: Yes
• Available as a regular program: Yes
• Available as a minor: Yes

Co-op Program

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample Co-op Job Titles

• Human rights, equity and inclusion support and engagement coordinator
• Business analyst identity access and privacy
• Research assistant
• Technical writer
• Community relations coordinator

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

Starting in second year, you will normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Sociology?

Waterloo Sociology graduates often pursue careers in social work, research, education, human resources, and recruiting. They commonly work for government, social service departments, counselling centres, and a wide variety of businesses.

Recent Graduates

• Social Worker — Counselling Centre of East Algoma
• Market Manager — Apple Canada
• Recreation Therapist — YMCA
• Digital Project Coordinator — Rogers Communications
• Research Associate — Conestoga College
• Law Enforcement Agent — Canada Revenue Agency
• Human Resource Manager — Colgate-Palmolive Canada

Admissions

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Sociology as your major at the end of first year.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)
• Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

Related Program

Social Development Studies

Conclusion

The Sociology degree program at the University of Waterloo provides students with a comprehensive understanding of social forces and their impact on the modern world. With a range of courses, co-op opportunities, and customization options, students can tailor their degree to suit their interests and career goals.