When shopping for colleges, it’s common for prospective students to question the advantages of earning a sociology degree online instead of on-campus. Sociology is a popular major for distance learning because it’s strongly based on reading research journal articles or case studies and writing one’s own reports. Online students could be attracted to sociology programs for shaping a better understanding of how humans function in relationships, institutions, and communities. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 177,144 Americans finish a social sciences major like sociology each year to enter a field poised for 7 percent job growth through 2024. Online degrees were inconceivable when the American Sociological Association (ASA) was first founded in 1905, but here are some 21st-century advantages to studying sociology virtually.
Fitting Sociology into Your Schedule
Online sociology degrees are delivered via platforms like Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle to keep course materials open for 24/7/365 access. Students can delve into the study of society from early morning to late night as they work around their work or family obligations. The flexibility of online courses erase barriers so that you won’t have to quit your job. Time won’t be wasted on making special trips to campus and the library, which is especially advantageous in wintry climates. Sociology lectures online could be reviewed from your couch and in pajamas for the greatest comfort. Online degrees may also be faster if sociology credits are waived for transfers or prior learning experience.
Stimulating Virtual Class Discussions
Discussion boards are another advantage of earning a sociology degree online because peer conversations are especially stimulating. Online colleges enroll students from across the U.S. and globe, allowing for extreme diversity in views. Online forums allow sociology majors to truly analyze their readings and contemplate their opinion before hitting send. Even introverted pupils will find their voice better heard. During webinars, students develop the virtual communication skills that employers want while conferencing their ideas. Programs like Skype open the possibility for team projects to keep online learners from feeling isolated. Online sociology students can often interact more quickly with faculty instead of waiting until office hours.
Reduced Costs for Sociology Courses
The college experience sure isn’t cheap. The College Board reports that the average students’ budget is $24,610 at in-state public universities and $49,320 at private schools yearly. Online sociology degrees lets you shave off unnecessary costs for housing, meals, and transportation by living at home. Online technology fees could be accrued, but the larger on-campus expenses like student activity fees and health services fees are nixed. Textbooks could be delivered in eBook format or shared online for less textbook shopping costs. Some online universities have created high-tech initiatives for free laptops or iPads. Sociology students can also broaden their search beyond their local area to compare prices for the cheapest online colleges.
Sociology received criticism in Forbes’ 10 Worst College Majors article for an above-average unemployment rate of 8.9 percent and low mean starting salary of $35,000. However, online sociology degrees could be a great stepping stone for becoming a sociologist or finding jobs like community organizer, correctional treatment specialist, public interest advocate, addiction counselor, policy analyst, survey researcher, HR representative, and media planner. According to the Law School Admission Council, sociology majors also fare better at getting admitted to American Bar Association accredited law schools than pre-law students do. Weigh the aforementioned advantages of earning a sociology degree online to determine your next move.
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Best Top 10 Online Sociology Degree Programs