Because understanding your roommate's weird habits is a life skill.
People are complicated. Study Sociology so they make sense. If you’re curious about how society works, Sociology helps you understand how social forces shape the modern world.
You’ll study human activity and interaction, while learning to think and write clearly about complex issues. Some are serious: inequality, poverty, crime, and criminal justice. Others reveal surprising truths about everyday interactions. (Why do long lines form in some countries and not others?)
This is a program where you’ll wrestle with pressing questions — and develop the tools to create solutions to local and global challenges. You’ll explore topics such as age, class, ethnicity, religion, gender, criminality, education, work, social change, and politics.
And when you study Sociology at Waterloo, ranked 7th in Canada (Academic Rankings of World Universities 2024), you’ll learn from leading experts committed to creating an outstanding classroom experience,. You can even enroll in the co-op stream and gain up to two years of work experience before graduating.
You’ve always suspected your family gatherings are a microcosm of society. With a degree in Sociology you’ll know why!
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
Sociology major = flexibility. Our flexible curriculum leaves plenty of room to explore your interests through minors or double majors, while co-op opportunities are also available.
Academic and social support. The student-led Sociology Society coordinates movie nights, student and prof mixers, academic help sessions, special lectures, and more.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
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'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
If you choose to study Sociology through Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January - April 2027).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
or after second year (May to August 2027) if you choose to study Sociology through Honours Arts.
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Third | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fourth | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
Admissions
Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Sociology as your major at the end of first year.
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)
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
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