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Sociology professor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a sociology professor. Sociology professors usually study sociology, psychology, or education. 46% of sociology professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 40% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 125 real sociology professor resumes to see exactly what sociology professor education sections show.
The most common colleges for sociology professors are the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania.
There are also many online sociology professor courses to help get the education required to be a sociology professor.
What education do you need to become a sociology professor?
What degree do you need to be a sociology professor?
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Master's, 40%
- Doctorate, 9%
- Associate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a sociology professor?
- Sociology, 44%
- Psychology, 10%
- Education, 5%
- Other Majors, 37%
Most common colleges for sociology professors
| Sociology professor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | 6.67% |
| University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus | 6.67% |
| University of Louisville | 6.67% |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | 6.67% |
| DePaul University | 6.67% |
Best majors for sociology professors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sociology | 43.6% |
| 2 | Psychology | 10.0% |
| 3 | Education | 4.5% |
| 4 | Ethnic, Gender And Minority Studies | 3.6% |
| 5 | Counseling Psychology | 3.6% |
Best colleges for sociology professors
The best colleges for sociology professors are University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.
A sociology professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for sociology professors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become sociology professors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
5. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for sociology professors
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1. Classical Sociological Theory
This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will offer the participants an introduction into the most important classical sociological readings between the 18th and 20th century. Highly influential social science scholars, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim, will be discussed during 8 sessions. Combined with small tests, based on the video’s and recommended readings, the participants will be encouraged to dive deeply into the complex texts and get familiar with classical sociological...
2. Social Psychology
Ever wonder why people do what they do? This course—which includes more than $1,000 of video and reading materials—offers some answers based on the latest research from social psychology. Students taking the course for a Certificate will also receive free membership in Social Psychology Network (SocialPsychology.org). COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM PROFESSOR PLOUS: Each of us is dealt a different hand in life, but we all face similar questions when it comes to human behavior: What leads us to like one...
3. Introduction to Criminology: Explaining Crime
Learn to Speak About Criminal Psychology and the Sociology of Crime Like an Expert...
4. Learn Social Psychology
Understand How People Think, Feel, and Behave in this Complete Introduction to Social Psychology...
5. Psychological Research
This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...
6. Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis
Learn how to model social and economic networks and their impact on human behavior. How do networks form, why do they exhibit certain patterns, and how does their structure impact diffusion, learning, and other behaviors? We will bring together models and techniques from economics, sociology, math, physics, statistics and computer science to answer these questions. The course begins with some empirical background on social and economic networks, and an overview of concepts used to describe and...
7. Understanding Performance Management as an HR Professional
This course is designed for human resources professionals or those who wish to learn more about performance management...
8. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
9. Creating Behavioral Change
In this course you will learn about understanding and changing mental and physical health behavior. We will examine both the historical context and the current science. Major topics will include fundamental behavioral principles and basic elements of empirically supported individual treatments (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapies). Lectures and examples will illustrate both the theory and the practice of evidence-based approaches to behavior change. You will engage...
10. Activism in Sports and Culture
Sports have become an ever-present reflection of American culture, and an important symbol of the divisions and alliances in our society. Sports and political change walk hand in hand in America. The way that athletes and institutions deal with questions of race, economic hardship, nationalism, and political ties have become central to the way that we understand ourselves and our society. And yet, there are those who would prefer their sports free of controversy and opinion. Dedicated athletes,...
11. Certified Performance Management Professional (CPMP)
Learn from KPI Mega Library best-selling author the art of organization performance management (Free APP & 11 Gifts)...
12. HR,HR Analytics, Human Resource Management, Black Friday Ed
HR Analytics ,HR Courses, human resource management, ,HR certification, HRM, hr payroll, people management, 2022...
13. Customer Centricity with Professor Jagdish Sheth
This is a master class in Customer Centricity. Professor Jagdish Sheth, 2020 Padma Bhushan Award winner for Literature and Education, guides you through proven strategies and practical steps for implementing customer centricity practices into your business. Professor Sheth shares wisdom and insight from decades of experience, years of research, and recommendations from multiple senior industry leaders to help grow your business and cut costs by keeping the customers you have by creating a...
14. ART of the MOOC: Activism and Social Movements
This course is for activists, artists, and thinkers who wish to better understand and participate in social change. We will focus on the prolific and exciting overlap between socially engaged art and cultural practices generated by recent social movements around the world. Rather than assess the political efficacy of activities like mourning, listening, organizing, dancing, or partying, the lectures examine such cultural activities next to, and within, contemporary art practice. Included in the...
15. Diploma in Modern Applied Psychology (DiMAP.)
Learn the science of human behavior and how to apply it to everyday life with this in-depth guide to applied psychology...
16. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
17. Introduction to Behavioral Economics & Consumer Psychology
Learn how to apply some of the most powerful principles from consumer psychology to increase conversions...
18. Certification Course in Human Resource Management
Curriculum commensurate to Top B School's Management Program : with downloadable resources, quiz, assessments & exercise...
19. Effective Academic Writing: Write Papers that Get Results
The what-you-need-to-know course on effective academic writing in the social sciences...
20. Complete Google Classroom Course: Teaching Google Classroom
Mastering the Art of Teaching with Google Classroom - Teaching Online with Google Classroom - Google Certified Educator...
Top 10 most affordable universities for sociology professors
The most affordable schools for sociology professors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for sociology professors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for sociology professors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for sociology professors
The hardest universities for sociology professors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for sociology professors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for sociology professors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for sociology professors
The easiest schools for sociology professors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, felician university, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a sociology professor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for sociology professors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average sociology professor salary by education level
| Sociology professor education level | Sociology professor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $80,202 |
| Doctorate Degree | $109,355 |
Sociology professor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025