Sociology Major

Sociology majors have flexibility to choose courses that cover a variety of substantive areas in sociology, including social inequality, population dynamics, employment, deviance, immigration, gender, health, families, religion, social media, race and more.

Declaring or Changing your Major

 If you are currently in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program, and would like to officially declare or change your major to Sociology, submit an on-line Google Form titled Declaration or Change of Major/Minor. The Arts Undergraduate Student Services office will process your request. Please allow 10 business days for your record to be updated.

Program Requirements:

Admitted to the BA PRIOR to Fall 2026

MINIMUM: SOC 100 plus 30 units in senior level SOC courses as follows:

  • SOC 100 Introductory Sociology
  • SOC 212 Classical Social Theory
  • SOC 220 (formerly SOC 315) Social Research Methods
  • SOC 320 (formerly SOC 210) Introduction to Social Statistics
  • SOC 335 Themes in Contemporary Social Theory
  • 6 units in SOC at the 200-level (Effective Fall 2025: replaces the previous requirement of 2 courses from SOC 241, SOC 251, SOC 260, and SOC 269)
  • 6 units in SOC at the 300- or 400-level
  • 6 units in SOC at the 400-level

MAXIMUM: 48 units in senior-level courses, which includes above senior requirements plus 18 units in optional senior-level SOC courses.

Admitted to the BA Fall 2026 ONWARDS

MINIMUM: SOC 100 plus 30 units in senior-level courses as follows:   

  • SOC 100 Introductory Sociology
  • SOC 212 Classical Social Theory
  • SOC 220 Social Research Methods
  • SOC 320 Introduction to Social Statistic
  • SOC 335 Themes in Contemporary Social Theory
  • 12 units in SOC at the 200, 300 or 400-level
  • 6 units in SOC at the 400-level

MAXIMUM: 48 units in senior-level courses, which would include above senior requirements plus 18 units in optional senior-level SOC courses.

Notes:

  •  Senior level coursework is considered 200-level, 300-level and 400-level.
  • Theory and statistics/methodology coursework should be completed within the first 75 units.
  • If PSYCH 213 is being used to meet the SOC 320 requirement, then an additional 3 units in senior level SOC is required.
  • Faculty of Arts students who have already taken Stat 141 or 151 must still take SOC 210, since it is a requirement for the SOC major.
  • R SOC 355 and R SOC 450 have been approved for cross-listing as applicable to a major or minor in Sociology (see Cross-Listed Courses)

Design Your Degree!

In addition to your major area of study, students can enhance their academic experience by developing research based skills in real-world community setting (e.g., Certificate in Applied Social Science Research).

Students also have the chance to engage in Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses and pursue certificates in Arts (e.g., Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning).

Furthermore, students can gain work experience through the Arts Work Experience (AWE) program.

Contact the Sociology Department Undergraduate Advisor regarding:

  • major/ minor/ honors requirements
  • course/ or registration assistance
  • instructor/ course related matters
  • Sociology and Theory Undergraduate Essay Awards

See Faculty of Arts Student Services regarding:

  • admission requirements and transfer courses
  • application procedures/ deadlines
  • Academic Requirements questions/issues
  • Declaring/ changing major/ minor  (see google form)
  • graduation inquiries
  • Grade Appeals / Academic Standing and Appeals
  • Application for Letter of Permission (to apply courses from other institutions to your U of A degree) (see google form)
  • Course Overloads (to take an additional *3 in a given term above the max term load) (see google form)

BA Sociology Undergraduate Advisor

socundergrad@ualberta.ca
780.492.4771

Sociology Degree Guide