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Department of Sociology Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
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Degree Options & Requirements

Our Sociology degree pathways offer distinct ways to ground learning and build your career around sociological concepts and practices. You can choose the length and depth of specialization within your degree, and you have choices of thematic specialization within each degree. Whereas the three-year bachelor offers broad and generalized training, the more intensive four-year honours and specialized honours bachelor’s program deepens your practical, theoretical, and research skills. Many of our students combine a Sociology major with another subject they are passionate about. You are able to declare a major, which would be your primary area of study, as well as a minor, or secondary subject. Similarly, a double major with another undergraduate program is a great choice. Please see us for an in-person advising session to discuss your specific needs and options.  

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The Sociology Curriculum 

The Sociology curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in sociological methods, thematic areas and theory paradigms in the first two years of study. Our introduction course is a gateway at the 1000-level, but we have recently expanded 1000-level course offerings to include hot topics and generalizable academic skills courses. Our 2000-level classes build your foundation for all three degree-streams. Our third-year courses offer a combination of thematic subjects to focus on, and upper-level theory and method training. With these foundations affirmed, you can specialize according to your emerging interests and benefit from small-size seminars at the 4000-level. Field placements, guided student research and thesis writing, and close interactions with our professors in thematic seminars on a wide array of issues, will broaden your horizon and prepare you for graduate programs and various career choices. 

NOTE:

Choose the checklist for the year you began your study. These checklists do not provide official confirmation of your eligibility to graduate. To find out which courses you have already completed toward your degree, use the Degree Progress Report. For more help, contact your academic advisor.

Bachelor’s (BA)

With the three-year Bachelor’s, students acquire a comprehensive overview of the field of Sociology. Key courses include introductory research methods, theory and a foundation course in a substantive field.  

Students must pass at least 90 credits including:

  • 21 General Education credits 
  • 18 credits outside Sociology 
  • 21 free choice credits (can be in Sociology) 
  • 30 Sociology credits: 6.0 at 1000 level; 12.0 at 2000 level; and 12.0 at 3000 level

Checklists (check the year matching your year of entry into the program)

Honours BA

The 4-year Honours BA offers students a more in-depth experience of sociological research and inquiry. Third-year requirements allow you to develop your knowledge of methods and theory, and fourth-year seminars provide opportunities for in-depth inquiry and specialization. 

Students must pass at least 120 credits including:

  • 21 General Education credits 
  • 18 credits outside Sociology 
  • 33 free choice credits (can be in Sociology) 
  • 48 Sociology credits: 6.0 at 1000 level; 18.0 at 2000 level; 12.0 at 3000 level; and 12.0 at 4000 level 

Checklists (check the year matching your year of entry into the program)

Honours Specialized BA

The 4-year Specialized Honours BA is designed to further strengthen students’ research skills. In the required 4000-level Sociology research capstone class, students conduct their own research project and write a senior thesis. This degree offers an even better preparation for grad school and many professional careers that require research skills. 

Students must pass at least 120 credits including:

  • 21 General Education credits 
  • 60 Sociology credits: 6.0 at 1000 level; 18.0 at 2000 level; 18.0 at 3000 level; and 18.0 at 4000 level 
  • 18 credits outside Sociology 
  • 21 free choice credits (can be in Sociology) 

Checklists (check the year matching your year of entry into the program)

Honours Double Major BA

The Honours BA program may be pursued jointly with approved Honours Double Major degree programs in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, the Faculty of Science, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, or the Lassonde School of Engineering. For further details on requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours programs that may be pursued jointly with other Faculties.

Note: in a double major program, a course may count only once toward major credit.

Honours Major/Minor BA

The Honours BA program may be pursued jointly with approved Honours Minor degree programs in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, the Faculty of Science, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, or the Lassonde School of Engineering. For further details on requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours programs that may be pursued jointly with other Faculties.

Note: in a major/minor program, a course may count only once toward major credit or minor credit.

Honours Minor BA

The Honours Minor BA program may be combined with any approved Honours BA program that offers a major/minor option in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, the Faculty of Science, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, or the Lassonde School of Engineering. For further details on requirements, refer to the listings for specific Honours programs that may be pursued jointly with other Faculties.

Note: in a major/minor program, a course may count only once toward major credit or minor credit.

Minor credits: 42 credits in sociology

Concurrent BA with Education

Complete two university degrees at the same time in order to become a qualified teacher in Ontario. Students can apply to our Bachelor of Education (BEd) program in a concurrent delivery model.

While co-registered in the two Faculties, students’ combined degree program is subject to the approval of the two Faculties. Students pursuing their BEd also work towards the completion of a undergraduate degree.

To be considered for the Concurrent BEd program students must be admitted to and eligible to continue in an undergraduate program in one of York University’s other Faculties, including LA&PS.

BEd concurrent