How to Become a Sociologist – Education, Certification, & Skills

Sociologists are highly-trained, skilled professionals who study group dynamics and how communities can affect individuals’ personalities, economies, politics, and much more. In other words, sociology degrees are perfect for students who want to learn more about how groups work – especially in a psychological and cultural context.

While being a sociologist can be very rewarding, it also requires a lot of work. To illustrate, you’ll need to earn several degrees if you want to take on a position as a licensed sociologist. For this purpose, let’s break down how to become a sociologist step-by-step.

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What’s Sociology?

Sociology is the academic study of society, from small groups of people to global communities. It studies how they develop, interact, problem-solve, structure themselves, and function day to day. Sociology also studies the problems of societies, which ones are unique to particular groups and which ones cross all boundaries.

You may ask yourself, “What are the 3 main theories of sociology?” They are:

• Structural Functionalism
• Symbolic Interactionism
• Conflict Perspective

There are two main types of sociology. They are:

• Qualitative Sociology
• Quantitative Sociology

What is A Sociologist?

A sociologist is an educated professional who has studied sociology and put’s its principals into practice.

Some of the main characteristics of a sociologist are:

• Curiosity and inquisitiveness regarding society and communities
• Able to read data and draw conclusions from that data
• Apply theories and methodology to test their ideas and conclusions
• Communicate well with others

What Do Sociologists Study?

A sociologist studies and analyzes social behavior among and between groups, like companies, social institutions, religious organizations, and more.

What Do Sociologists Do?

Sociologists do many different things, including:

• Designing and carrying out research experiments
• Collecting data on large populations or groups
• Analyzing data on groups to understand why they live the way they do
• Preparing articles or reports about their research findings
• Collaborating with other researchers and social scientists

How to Become a Sociologist

To become a sociologist, you’ll need to proceed through at least five steps. Many career sociologists end up moving through six steps to acquire a Ph.D. in the field.

• Complete an undergraduate degree
• Choose a career field
• Obtain a master’s degree
• Gain practical experience
• Opt for a Ph.D.
• Get Certified

What Do Sociologists Study? Required Education

As an academic profession, it’s no surprise that sociologists need to have specific academic credentials to qualify for positions. Let’s break down the education you need to become a psychologist based on degree type.

It’s not enough to just earn a bachelor’s degree to be a sociologist. However, aspiring sociologists need to start with a bachelor’s degree and then pursue higher educational credentials.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in sociology is the preliminary credential in the field. It introduces students to the baseline and fundamental concepts inherent in sociology. Depending on the degree program chosen, students may also have the opportunity to specialize or concentrate their degree in one area or another. Students can either earn a BA in Sociology or a BS in Sociology depending on the focus of the program and how the university has structured the course of study.

Bachelor’s degrees are only the beginning of one’s educational pathway. However, those who wish to become sociologists should earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology rather than in a related field like psychology.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degrees in sociology usually have middling admission requirements. For example, most of these degrees require GPAs of 2.5 or above. More competitive, higher-quality programs may require higher GPAs of 3.0 or above.

In addition to GPA requirements, applicants must usually submit:

• High school transcripts or GED equivalents
• Letters of recommendation

The admission requirements for bachelor’s degrees are fewer than those for advanced degrees since students are presumed to be at the beginning of their academic careers. Students can take positions in related workplaces, like sociology research firms or as teaching assistants, to be more competitive.

Length & Cost of This Program

Most bachelor’s degrees are four years long in total and include 120 credits. Bachelor’s degrees incorporate general education classes in addition to focused courses for their concentrations.

That’s because practically every bachelor’s degree is intended to provide students with a well-rounded education. In addition to learning about sociology issues, students will also learn about topics in history, biology, math, and more.

Those students with associate degrees in sociology or other subjects may be able to complete a bachelor’s degree program in two years. Furthermore, some online and in-person schools offer accelerated bachelor’s + master’s programs. Students can earn a graduate degree in sociology in five years with these accelerated programs. However, they usually have students attend class year-round without traditional summer breaks.

Regardless, bachelor’s degrees can cost quite a lot depending on the school one chooses and whether they attend from out-of-state or in-state. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree is $35,000 per year. Students can and should look into financial aid opportunities to minimize these costs.

Attending school online and in-state is often the cheapest choice. Attending school online and out-of-state is sometimes the most expensive choice. However, some schools offer the same tuition rates to in-state and out-of-state online students.

Standard Courses

There are many sociology major requirements. Depending on the degree chosen, students may be required to attend courses covering topics including but not limited to:

• Sociological principles and fundamentals
• Applied sociology
• Sociology research methods
• Psychology and sociology
• Cultural relativism

A bachelor’s degree in sociology provides an overview of the fundamentals of this field. As such, it does not usually include more advanced or specialized topics in sociology.

Master’s Degree

A masters in sociology is an advanced credential that qualifies graduates to become sociologists. Furthermore, certified sociologists must have a master’s degree in the field at a minimum. As a graduate degree, a master’s degree has higher admission requirements and incorporates more advanced academic material.

Master’s degrees can end in one of three ways:

• With a capstone project, like a research project.
• Faculty members or student advisors typically oversee these projects.
• A thesis. Research theses are usually required for more research-oriented degree programs.
• With a comprehensive written exam

Admission Requirements

Master’s degrees usually have more rigorous admission requirements than bachelor’s degrees in sociology. These requirements can include:

• Higher minimum GPAs, like 3.5 or above
• Several letters of recommendation
• One or more essays or statements of intent
• GRE scores. GREs are required for most graduate-level degree admissions.
• Some practical work experience in the sociology industry
• A bachelor’s degree and transcripts

While it is easier to get into a master’s degree in sociology with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, it is not the only appropriate degree option. Students with bachelor’s degrees in political science, psychology, and related fields may also qualify for these programs.

Length & Cost of This Program

Master’s degrees are usually anywhere between 30 and 40 credits in duration. Thus, they typically take about two years to complete from start to finish.

However, some master’s degrees offer an accelerated timetable, either through taking a bachelor’s + master’s program as described above or other means. Master’s programs may also be taken over three or four years if the student in question attends the program on a part-time schedule.

Master’s programs typically cost anywhere from $30,000- $120,000 in total. Again, tuition and associated costs depend on whether the student attends in-state or out-of-state, the quality of the institution, and other factors.

Standard Courses

Master’s programs in sociology cover advanced sociological topics, including but not limited to:

• Advanced statistical techniques and methodologies
• Advanced sociological concepts and methodologies
• Sociological research principles and ethics

Many master’s degrees for sociology majors allow those students to declare a concentration or specialty in one area or another. For example, students may specialize entirely in digital technology, sociological applications, criminology, or something else.

The specialization or concentration chosen can impact whether a graduate is competitive for a given position after they leave school.

Ph.D.

PhDs in sociology are highly advanced degrees and are not strictly necessary to become a sociologist. However, Ph.D. sociology degrees are advantageous for acquiring managerial or administrative roles in the industry. Furthermore, a Ph.D. in this field could qualify a graduate for even more competitive positions.

Generally, doctoral degrees emphasize research and administration. For example, they could be a good fit for a student who wants to expand the sociology field or become a long-term professor/researcher at a university.

Admission Requirements

PhDs are highly competitive and usually only have a few spots for admission every year. Therefore, admission requirements often include:

• Several years of work experience in the sociology field
• Several letters of recommendation
• High GPA minimums of 3.5 or above
• A statement of intent or essay
• Full transcripts of prior schooling
• High GRE scores

The exact admission requirements depend on the university and the program in question. Students should also be aware that many Ph.D. programs begin only once or twice per year. Therefore, they should put their application packets together well ahead of time so they don’t miss an application window.

Length & Cost of This Program

Ph.D. programs can vary wildly in terms of their costs. However, the average doctoral degree cost is $114,300. It usually takes students between four and eight years to complete a doctorate since they typically require 90 credits. Students have to spend time not only attending class but also carrying out research projects, working in their field, and building connections with faculty or academics.

Standard Courses

Ph.D. programs focus less on traditional lecturing and more on research and completing a dissertation that expands the field in some way. To graduate, Ph.D. students must write and present a dissertation reviewed by faculty members for their school’s department.

These programs usually include highly advanced courses in topics such as:

• Specialized sociology electives
• Advanced sociological methods
• Logic of inquiry
• Cultural analysis methods
• Research methodologies
• Cultural practice interpretations

Program/Degree Accreditation

Any aspiring sociologist must have the right degree to enter this field. However, they must also attend a university accredited by the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology.

Program and degree accreditation is essential, and graduates may find it challenging to acquire employment in the sociology field without it.

Accrediting Organizations

The Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology is the chief overseeing organization that ensures that sociology programs are:

• Suitably academically robust (i.e., they are rigorous enough to be worthwhile)
• Modernized. Sociology is an ever-evolving field, and the AACS ensures that programs stay up-to-date with modern sociology methodologies and ideas.

However, students should also ensure that regional and national organizations accredit their chosen university. Regionally accredited schools are usually better since regional accreditation is harder to acquire.

In any case, students should watch out for “diploma mills” or schools that are not accredited/approved to provide sociology degrees. In a field as academic and research-oriented as sociology, accreditation is vital.

Why is Accreditation Important?

Accreditation is essential because it proves that a school or program teaches students the correct information and is academically demanding. Remember, graduates must be certified to practice as clinical sociologists.

That means there are real-world stakes involved when a sociologist gains a position. Like many medical or psychological professions, sociologists must be vetted by other professionals before they can provide their services to the public or other organizations. Students should never attend a program or school that lacks accreditation.

Certification for Sociologists

Sociologist certification is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require applicants to pass one or more exams. However, certification still qualifies college graduates for many sociological positions, including in research contexts.

Certification Requirements

To acquire either Certified Applied Sociologist or Certified Clinical Sociologist designations, applicants must:

• Pay an application fee of $200 for US residents + a $90 annual membership fee + a $100 portfolio demonstration fee
• Submit various application materials to the AACS. These include a resume or curriculum vitae, a portfolio of recent sociological work experience and projects, several letters of reference, and academic transcripts.
• Wait for a review committee to review one’s application materials
• Attend an interview with the committee

Suppose the review committee finds that the applicant’s materials are sufficient. In that case, the applicant might receive certification in one or both areas. Applicants don’t have to attend face-to-face meetings with the review committee; they can also participate in virtual or video conferences.

Certified Applied Sociologist

The Certified Applied Sociologist designation is essential for one’s career. It designates a sociologist as ready to provide applied sociological knowledge to companies, organizations, nonprofits, and more.

Certified Clinical Sociologist

The designation of Certified Clinical Sociologist is even more critical, especially for graduates who want to become sociologists in certain states. Some states require this certification before one can begin work as a clinical sociologist.

Clinical sociologists apply sociology knowledge to the problems or issues presented by clients and patients. It is not the same job as that of a psychologist. However, clinical sociologists can handle similar issues, working with families, nonprofits, small cities or populations, and other groups to solve problems.

Either of these certifications can be very beneficial for one’s career.

Career Information

Sociologists have lots of different career paths they can go down. Even if they don’t become designated sociologists, they may find that their skills are in demand across various industries.

Salary Information

The sociologist salary varies heavily based on a sociologist’s exact job title and responsibilities. Some of the best jobs for sociology degree holders are:

• Advertising and marketing managers earn over $130,000 a year
• Political scientists earn over $122,000 a year
• Sociologists earn approximately $93,000 a year on average
• Sociology professors earn nearly $80,000 a year

Where Do Sociologists Work?

The above are just a few examples of the careers potential sociologists enjoy. Sociology is a vast field, and it has many applications beyond just research.

For instance, advertising and marketing managers often use sociological concepts to better understand their clients and target audiences. With sociology, marketers can advertise more effectively to the right people, helping their clients make more money.

Professors, of course, are also often educated in sociology. Many sociology professors have backgrounds in sociology themselves, so they can adequately teach the complicated topic to students.

Political science is a very diverse field, and sociologists fit right in. Sociologists can use their understanding of group dynamics to influence political campaigns or provide valuable advice to their clients or political candidates.

Of course, sociologists can also operate as research sociologists or applied sociologists. They can use their educational credentials to further the field through research projects, make presentations at universities and summits, or oversee sociology programs and departments at schools.

Career Outlook

Regardless of the exact career one chooses, sociologists often find that they have many options for career advancement and career stability.

For example, sociology as a field is likely to grow by 5% until 2030. While this is slower than most other occupations, it does indicate that the domain is growing rather than shrinking (which is the case for many other social sciences).

Of course, other sociology adjacent fields are growing even faster. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that marketing and advertising manager positions should become more numerous by 10% by 2030. In other words, there will be many open positions for future marketing and advertising managers soon.

Sociology students can do right by their future careers by:

• Analyzing current market conditions and trends
• Deciding how they may wish to use their sociology education in the future
• Choosing a job that allows for adequate advancement and potential career shifts if necessary

What Careers Are Related to That of a Sociologist?

Sociologists don’t have to remain strictly in the sociology industry for their whole careers. This broad field also prepares college graduates for a variety of other professions including:

• Anthropologists and archaeologists. These professionals often study the development and behavior of human civilizations by examining artifacts.
• Historians, who research, interpret, analyze, and write about past events and people by analyzing historical documents
• Mathematicians and statisticians. Most sociology majors have to learn some statistics, so they could be well-suited for positions in this field as well.
• Psychologists. To become psychologists, sociologists will need to take additional schooling. But it’s undeniable that the two fields are closely related.

What Skills Do Sociologists Need?

Sociologists benefit from several core skills, including:

• Strong analytical skills. Sociologists must know how to collect and analyze statistical data to reach viable and applicable conclusions for their clients or customers.
• Good communication skills. Most sociologists have to conduct interviews with patients and collaborate with colleagues. They need to be able to work well in teams and perform experiments with living human subjects in many cases.
• Very sharp critical thinking skills. All sociologists both design and carry out research projects. Thus, they need to be able to collect and process data impartially while also understanding the implications of their projects’ results.

FAQs

What qualifications do you need to be a sociologist?

To become a licensed sociologist, you need a master’s degree in sociology. This education is also the minimum requirement for working at a sociology firm or researching sociology.

How many years does it take to become a sociologist?

Becoming a full sociologist usually takes six years of schooling from start to finish. However, this time can be truncated based on several potential factors.

What job does a sociologist do?

Sociologists do a lot of research and analyze population-level behaviors and preferences. They then interpret that data and provide advice or insights to clients, customers, or other researchers.

Can anyone be a sociologist?

Yes! Sociology is a very welcoming and diverse field, and it is growing overall.

What are the different fields of sociology?

Sociologists often focus on distinct fields in the industry, such as clinical sociology, cultural sociology, criminology, and more. Each area emphasizes a different type of group dynamic or behavior to understand it better.

What is the work environment of sociologists like?

Sociologists often work in academic or research environments. These environments tend to be very supportive, focused, and diverse.