Choosing Your Program

In addition to our core courses, our undergraduate program offers courses in 4 areas:

  • Health and the Life Course
  • Power and Justice
  • Social Demography and Migration
  • Work and the Economy

Study any or all of these areas with our Sociology modules, which are the most flexible and popular modules. 

Differences between Sociology Modules (Minor, Major, Specialization and Honours Specialization)

After completing 1.0 credits in Sociology at the 1000 level, you can request entry into one of our modules during Intent to Register in March.

    • A minor in Sociology consists of 4.0 senior level (2000-4999) credits of Sociology courses. The Minor is ideal for students who are interested in Sociology, and who want to take a variety of other courses to round out their University degree. A Sociology minor can be completed as part of a 3 year or 4 year degree in combination with another module.
    • A major in Sociology consists of 6.0 senior level (2000-4999) credits of Sociology courses. The major is ideal for students who want to take a variety of other courses to round out their University degree. A Major can be completed as a 3 year or 4 year degree on its own or in combination with another module. An Honours Double major is available to students who meet additional grade requirements as a 4 year degree.
    • A Specialization in Sociology consists of 9.0 senior level (2000-4999) credits of Sociology courses. The Specialization in Sociology is a non-honours module which can be completed as a 4 year degree on its own or in combination with another module.The specialization is ideal for students who are interested in taking a high number of Sociology courses across the department’s 4 areas. Students in the Specialization module get hands-on experience applying their skills in methods, theory, writing, presenting, and policy in upper-year courses. 
    • An Honours Specialization in Sociology consists of 9.0 senior level (2000-4999) credits of Sociology courses. Increased grade requirements must be met for an Honours degree. The Honours Specialization can be completed as a 4 year degree on its own or in combination with another module. The Honours Specialization is ideal for students with a strong interest in Sociology and are interested in learning how to apply the skills learned in this degree. Students in the Honours Specialization module get hands-on experience applying their skills in methods, theory, writing, presenting, and policy in upper-year courses. This module prepares students for a Masters or PhD in Sociology, law school, or another advanced degree. 

A list of approved degree types and module combinations are available.

 

What module prepares me best for a Master's Degree, Law School and other professional programs?

  • The Honours Specialization in Sociology best prepares you for a Master's degree, law school, or other professional programs. In this module, students take more 4000-level courses, which are hands-on, applied courses, where you put your knowledge of sociology, methods, and theory to work. After taking 1.0 credits in Sociology at the 1000 level, you can request entry into one of our modules during Intent to Register in March.

Which modules give me the best skills for entering the workforce?

  • The Major, Specialization, and Honours Specialization in Sociology all provide excellent skills to bring to the workplace such as data collection and interpretation, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, writing and oral presentation communication skills, and identifying and understanding social trends.

Sociology vs Criminology?

  • New admission to the Criminology major is discontinued as of September 2026. Students interested broadly in issues of Criminology and justice are encouraged to choose a module in Sociology and focus on courses in the Power and Justice area of Sociology. The Sociology modules have more flexibility.