Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

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Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Sociology (BA)

waterloo

Analyze the social world and investigate the ways in which people shape and are shaped by society. Gain a better understanding of contemporary social issues and the ways in which people work to change communities for the better. Explore how different parts of society, from health and health care to law and public policy to government, crime, education, identity, and much more, interact to define our social experience. Graduate with sought after skills for success in many careers in the private or social sector.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you can add to your Sociology program:

Check out the Sociology Experience and Career Guide for more!

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

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

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Options and Courses

Specialization

Sociology students can choose to take advanced methods courses in their upper years and add an Applied Social Research Specialization to their honours Sociology degree. This will prepare you to conduct research related to human and societal behaviour.

Options and Minors

In addition, consider adding any of these popular academic opportunities that allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Teaching Option (Coming soon!)
  • Minor in Criminology
  • Legal Studies Option
  • Management Option
  • Social Entrepreneurship Option

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Introduction to Sociology I: Foundations
  • Introduction to Sociology II: Social Life
  • 4.0 elective credits in courses that interest you

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Communications for Policing
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Mediterranean Culture and Civilization
  • Literature and Crime

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Bodies, Bioethics, and Boundaries
  • Social Inequality
  • Crime: Interpretive Perspectives
  • Constructions of Parenthood and Childhood in Canada
  • Sociology of Health, Illness and Gender

Similar Programs

Co-op

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 with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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.

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"This program does not only teach you about the academic world but also your position within the society. It allows for self-growth, a quality that is not present in all programs or fields. [...] I can proudly say that I am not only leaving with a piece of paper, in other words, the degree but also with an abundance of memories and knowledge that I can use in the future."

Nurul Noor, Sociology graduate

"Being able to explore multiple streams of Sociology has allowed me to not only grow as a student, but a person as well, and it has helped me discover the exact career path that I will enjoy most after graduation."

Lindsay McConnell-Chaddock, Sociology graduate

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.

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.

"I love learning about sociology from a sociological lens. I love to see how it applies to different aspects of my life and how I could use it in my future endeavours. I also think the professors are all passionate about what they do, especially how they teach to affect change. I also love how close the faculty is with the Laurier Sociology Students Association."

Sashauna Bent, Sociology graduate

Interested in More Info?

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

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