Home / Programs / Undergraduate / Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Program Overview
Preview our online 100% bachelor’s degree in sociology
Learn proven strategies and insights to effect meaningful social change. The affordable, flexible online bachelor’s degree in sociology examines how multicultural social dynamics shape all human behavior and interactions. Open the door to a broad range of public and private sector career options in education, research, criminal justice, business and government and social agencies.
The diverse online bachelor’s in sociology curriculum covers theories and research, along with courses on family dynamics, criminology, urban sociology, race and ethnicity, immigration, healthcare disparities and more. You will also focus on building a stronger skillset in PowerPoint, Word, Excel and statistical software.
Graduates of this online degree in sociology will:
- Understand how everyday topics are shaped by politico-historical and socioeconomic forces
- Employ a scientific foundation of sociological knowledge as well as the sociological imagination to apply it to everyday life
- Identify key concepts, leading theorists and their contribution to sociology
- Organize and synthesize sociological research and approaches to answer sociological questions
- Develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills applicable to diverse careers
- Understand how everyday topics are shaped by politico-historical and socioeconomic forces
- Employ a scientific foundation of sociological knowledge as well as the sociological imagination to apply it to everyday life
- Identify key concepts, leading theorists and their contribution to sociology
- Organize and synthesize sociological research and approaches to answer sociological questions
- Develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills applicable to diverse careers
Job opportunities with a sociology degree:
- Social Work Case Manager
- Social Service Advocate
- Legislative Aide
- Urban Planner
- Census Researcher
- Data Analyst
- Foreign Services Officer
- Corrections Officer
- Community Health Worker
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Consumer Relations Specialist
- Market Analyst
- Social Work Case Manager
- Social Service Advocate
- Legislative Aide
- Urban Planner
- Census Researcher
- Data Analyst
- Foreign Services Officer
- Corrections Officer
- Community Health Worker
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Consumer Relations Specialist
- Market Analyst
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Also available:
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition
Benefit from affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition
Our online sociology degree program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
---|---|---|
B.S. Sociology | $334* | $1,002 |
Important Refund Information
2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Transfer Your Credits for Lower Tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student’s Northwest record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Take note of these key deadlines
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working students, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/19/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/18/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/15/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/2/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Follow these steps to apply to the online sociology degree
At Northwest, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the sociology program online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet the requirements for one of the sections listed below.
Transfer Criteria
- Students with 24 or more transferrable credit hours:
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Students with less than 24 transferrable credit hours:
- Follow freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Transfer students from non-regionally accredited institutions will also be considered a freshman; credit cannot be transferred into Northwest from a non-regionally accredited institution
Returning Students (previously enrolled as degree-seeking at Northwest)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA in any coursework completed since last being at Northwest (on 4.0 scale)
- A probation essay (if returning after being suspended or put on probation) explaining previous time at Northwest, what they've been doing since and how they plan to be successful when they return
Freshman Criteria (Adult - 24+ years old):
- High school transcript showing graduation date or completion of GED/HiSET
- Essay
- ACT/SAT test scores optional; can be submitted for scholarship/placement purposes if available
Freshman Criteria (for non-adult freshmen and transfers with less than 24 transferrable hours):
- Category I:
- 21 or higher ACT composite (or the SAT equivalent: SAT-980 or 1060**)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on 4.0 scale)
**Per 2016 SAT redesign.
- Category II:
- Have an admissions index score (see here) that equals or exceeds 100 points
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Category III:
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete high school college-preparatory curriculum
- Students who have completed the GED or HiSET are eligible with a minimum score of 660 on the GED or a minimum score of 75 on the HiSET
- This category is not an option for home-schooled or unaccredited high school graduates unless they have also completed the GED or HiSET
Home-Schooled Students
Applicants must have their ACT or SAT results submitted directly from ACT or College Board. A transcript listing of high school courses and grades in each course is also required for admission.
- 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent), OR
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
GED Applicants/HiSET Applicants
A student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification, meeting the following criteria:
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of AdmissionsNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
Review the topics of our sociology courses
For the online sociology bachelor’s degree program, the curriculum is comprised of 120 credit hours, including 44-47 credit hours of Northwest Core (general education) courses, four credit hours of Institutional Requirements courses, 36 credit hours of major coursework, six credit hours of sociology electives, minor coursework, and as many credit hours of general elective courses as needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour degree requirement.
Students must take 44-47 credit hours of general education courses to meet the degree plan requirements.
Students are required to take a University Seminar (1 credit hour) and a digital literacy course, usually Computers and Information Technology (3 credit hours). Below is the information for each course.
Student must select 6 credit hours of sociology electives. Currently, online students are limited to the two courses listed below:
Students must complete a minor for this program. Please note, not all minors are available online. Students must also complete general education free electives as needed to reach a minimum 120 graduation hours.
Among Top 5
Ranked among the Top 5 “Public Universities in Missouri” by Niche.com (2022)
Highly Qualified Faculty
100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition. A one-time fee of $20.50 will be charged for remote proctoring of required Assessment of Core Proficiencies.
Request Information
Submit this form, and one of our enrollment specialists will contact you to answer any questions and guide you through the process, from start to finish.
Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
Request Information
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.