Best Master’s in Sociology Online Programs

An online master’s in sociology program will give you the flexibility to earn a graduate degree without commuting to campus. These programs are designed for busy adults with families and careers.

You’ll study complex problems in society and explore how humans interact within various social structures. A master’s in sociology will prepare you for career paths like research, communications, human resources, data analysis, urban planning, and more.

Our rankings of the best sociology programs consider costs, reputation, and flexibility to ensure quality education.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

In an online master’s in sociology program, you will learn about sociological concepts and theories to become an expert on human behavior and social interactions. You’ll explore social statistics and research methods, among other diverse topics.

These programs, which typically take 2-4 years to complete, will give you skills for research, social services, and policy.

This course provides an overview of sociological theories. You’ll learn about major sociological theories, their key concepts, and how they are used in our ever-changing social world.

You’ll learn to apply analytical and statistical methods to data. The course provides an in-depth examination of various topics related to survey research in sociology, including data processing, statistical design, and data analysis.

This course examines the research methods social scientists use, including data analysis and research design. By critically analyzing research, you’ll learn how to apply different research methods as well as ethical considerations that relate to social research.

You’ll learn how government policies impact societal structures and how to be a part of those policy developments. The course will introduce you to research on social justice and advocacy leadership in organizational settings.

In this class, you’ll explore how things like social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age impact society and individual experiences. You’ll study how individuals and institutions maintain social inequalities.

A master’s in sociology can qualify you for a variety of careers. Depending on your specialization, you can work as a market research analyst, gathering and analyzing data for companies, or as a social worker, helping individuals and families solve complex problems.

Sociology majors also work as political scientists, researching political ideals and policies, and public relations specialists who manage an organization’s public image.

The job outlook for many of these roles is positive, with public relations specialists (8%), sociologists (7%), and social workers (7%) experiencing the highest growth.

Political scientists ($132,350), sociologists ($101,770), and urban and regional planners ($81,800) earn the most money per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The job with the lowest growth rate — survey researcher (0%) — pays a median salary of $60,960, a bit higher than the lowest-paying role, social worker, which pays a median of $58,380 per year.