Best Online Sociology Degree Classes of 2024

Did you know that sociology is one of the most popular majors across US colleges? Well, have you thought about majoring in social sciences? If you have, then getting an online sociology degree might get things going for you.   

Let me tell you, it is not an easy subject to major in. I mean, it's obviously not programming or coding. But still, if you want to make a career out of it - a deeper understanding of sociology beforehand is a must.

That’s why I've picked out the best sociology programs for you to choose from. But before we get into that, let’s take a closer look at why sociology is a good choice.

Online Sociology Degrees: Are They Worth It?

So, you’ve decided to march into the realm of sociology. But for real though, getting an online sociology degree may seem like a piece of cake. Like most social sciences, sociology revolves around theory, and communication. Which is why it’s so popular.

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But does that make it easy? Surely not. You’ll get to tackle urban issues which require a deeper understanding of how society works. Therefore, wrapping your head around a social issue that you’ve never really seen firsthand may turn out to be quite difficult. 

This is where online sociology courses could prevail. You’ll get to choose instructors from various countries and backgrounds. With this, you’ll get to view sociology from a different perspective.

Likewise, online sociology degrees and classes are widely accessible, compared to other majors that require practical knowledge like engineering or robotics. That is because sociology is a theory-based field of study. All you need to do is listen and learn. 

Seems easy, right? I mean, it’s just a bunch of concepts that you need to memorize. All you have to do is learn what each of them mean. However, that's not entirely true. Sociology requires critical thinking and an ability to apply certain concepts to real-life issues.

Also, getting on board with sociology basics, before you pursue an online sociology degree, is much more advisable for beginners.  So, get yourself familiar with the subject. Learn sociology online, degrees will come after. See if it’s actually right for you. 

I remember some of my friends telling me that they regret going to college. It wasn’t because they hated college in general. In fact, they got themselves into subjects that turned out to be far from what they'd imagined. So getting this college thing over with mattered the most. 

Moral of the story - make sure to revise sociology online. Degrees can wait.

Not only that, some online sociology classes offer certificates of completion which you can add to your resume.

Now, to be honest, when I was looking through sociology classes on the most popular MOOCs, I couldn’t really find any that had online sociology degrees. However, a couple of university platforms did.

But let me tell you, these degrees were fairly expensive. And look, you don't want to get into something that you may regret. So, as I've mentioned before, if you just want to get enlightened on sociology, try going for regular courses. That way, you'll know if you're ready.

If you finish these classes with flying colors - great. Then you may try going for an online sociology degree at the University of Florida, for instance. But right now, let's stick with virtual courses so you don't get trapped in debt with something you may regret in the future. 

That's why I’ve gathered the best sociology programs that I could find from top online learning platforms. Here you’ll find classes ranging from sociology basics to theoretical concepts on social norms. Let’s see what they're all about!

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Sociology: Understanding our Society and Culture (Enroll Here)

• Platform: Udemy
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Price: $103
• Certificate: YES
• Level: All Levels
• Discount: Available
• Apply HERE

So like I’ve mentioned before, sociology is a very broad topic. It incorporates everything that is part of social life. Whether it would be communication or human behavior, sociology has a hand in it. In fact, this course will tell you all about that. 

The Sociology: Understanding our Society and Culture class will bring you up to speed on social issues and human nature in everyday life.

It is a 1,5-hour course with pretty much no requirements. You’ll get 17 lectures which are compiled into 6 different sections. All of this content will be backed up by videos so you don’t get overwhelmed by theoretical information. 

More than that, this sociology class comes with subtitles in 8 different languages!

You’ll start off with a brief introduction to sociology. Then you’ll move on to rather specific subjects of sociology like culture and collective behavior.

Finally, you’ll reach the social institution and community sections where you’ll get some insight into how society is structured in a sociological manner.

Likewise, your instructor will be a user named Proficient Courses who has 4 classes under his belt. This particular course is rated at 4.2 stars out of 5 with positive feedback from previous students.

Currently, The Sociology: Understanding our Society and Culture class is set at a price of $103. However, if you’re looking for a discount, try scrolling through our coupon page and see if any are applicable for this course.

Now here’s a quick rundown of things you’ll learn throughout this sociology class:

• Basics of Sociology
• How culture affects society
• Why do people form groups
• Differences between Rural and Urban communities
• Origins of Society

All in all, it is a perfect choice for someone looking to study sociology. Especially if you’re going for an online sociology degree. 

Start the course NOW.

Global Citizenship - Your path to the globalized world (Enroll Here)

• Platform: Udemy
• Duration: 43 minutes
• Price: $23
• Certificate: YES
• Level: Beginner
• Discount: Available
• Apply HERE

Citizenship plays a huge part in a globalized world. But have you heard about global citizenship? Well, in this course, you’ll learn about this concept and how it impacts our society.

The class itself is quite short - about an hour in total with 9 lectures, separated into 3 modules. It has quite a bunch of requirements, but they’re mainly technical: having the Google Chrome browser, proper audio/video drivers, pen and paper, and an understanding of the English language.

Now, what about the course itself? Well, firstly, you’ll be given an overview of global citizenship. Then, you’ll move on to frameworks on becoming an active citizen. Finally, you’ll find out how to craft a Social Action Project by initiating your ideas in practice.

After each lecture, you will take an evaluation quiz on things that you’ve learned.

Your course instructors will be the School of Leadership trainers who have experience working at college campuses and universities in South Asia. It is a highly-rated course - 4.7 stars out of 5 with positive feedback from previous students.

Here’s a review from one of them:

“Straight-forward, simple but effective. The combined resources and information provided in this course was just what I needed to move forward in my personal and community activism. Thank You Uzair and School of Leadership.” - C. Cox

As of right now, the course costs $23, but you can check out our Udemy coupon page for a discount.

So, now that we know a little bit about this sociology class, let’s go through a brief summary of what you’ll learn:

• Global Citizenship
• Tips and Tricks on creating a Social Action Plan
• The concept of a Responsible Citizen
• How to step out of the comfort zone

Overall, if tackling societal issues with global citizenship is up your alley, this course may greatly reflect on your resume when applying for an actual online sociology degree.

Start the course NOW.

Introduction to Sociology (Enroll Here)

• Platform: edX
• Duration: estimated 6 weeks
• Price: $137 for Full Access
• Certificate: YES
• Level: Introductory
• Discount: Not Available
• Apply HERE

Now if you’re looking for more formal sociology classes - edX is where it’s at. The Introduction to Sociology class is all about exploring sociological perspectives, with a fresh look at societies and cultures.

It will cover topics from the CLEP sociology exam, which may come in handy for an online sociology degree. You’ll learn how to critically assess common assumptions in various social situations. Later, you will get some insight into cultural diversity on a global scale. 

Also, there will be be an introduction to inequality in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation, and other matters. Finally, you will get lectures about how global corporations and institutions impact these issues.

The course itself was brought to you by the University of Texas Permian Basin. Your instructor will be Dr. J. Hadjicostandi who is an Associate Professor of Sociology. She is an award-winning teacher and an expert in international development and social inequality. 

If you’re already interested in this course, then you may enroll for a price of $137 which gives you complete access to the material. Also, you will be rewarded with a certificate of completion which may be considered as entry-level experience for an online sociology degree.

But you can choose the audit track for limited access to the course.

Now, let’s quickly go through the things that you’ll get to learn during this sociology class:

• Sociological Perspectives on Common Assumptions
• Global Perspectives on Cultural Diversity
• Social Inequality

In short, this course will have all the required tools to get you up to speed with sociology. So don’t worry if you aren’t experienced in social sciences - your journey towards an online sociology degree could start here.

Start the course NOW.

Fundamentals of Sociology (Enroll Here)

• Platform: edX
• Duration: estimated 8 weeks
• Price: $98 for Full Access
• Certificate: YES
• Level: Introductory
• Discount: Not Available
• Apply HERE

Take a look at another introductory class for your sociology needs. If you’re looking to explore the fundamentals of sociology - here’s your chance to do so!

This program will provide you with the right information on sociology concepts and theories in a comparative manner. It has no requirements so you may enroll without any previous experience in sociology.

During the class, you’ll get to compare basic sociological assumptions found in functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism theories. Then, you'll get to explore research design methods in sociology, the connection between culture and communication, and other sociological concepts.

What I’ve noticed about this class is that it is very interactive. That is because, during every lecture, you’ll get to analyze and compare various aspects of sociology by yourself. With guidance, of course.

Anyways, the program was created by Doane University, and your instructor will be Debora Sepich - a Doctor of Education with 15 years of experience in the educational field. 

The program itself costs $98 with full access to course benefits. So, if you're not sure about purchasing the class, might as well check it out via an audit track with limited access.

Now that we’ve covered pretty much everything you need to know about the program, let’s see what this course has in store for us:

• Functionalist, Symbolic Interactionism and Conflict Theories 
• Sociology Research Design Methods
• The connection between Culture and Socialization
• Social interactions and structure
• Assessment of Family as a social institution
• Differences between primary and secondary groups
• Implications derived from Social Divisions

And that is basically it. Seems like a lot, but rest assured, time flies if you're passionate enough. So if you got your eyes on an online sociology degree - this course might be perfect for you.

Start the course NOW.

CitiesX: The Past, Present and Future of Urban Life (Enroll Here)

• Platform: edX
• Duration: estimated 11 weeks
• Price: $167 for Full Access
• Certificate: YES
• Level: Introductory
• Discount: Not Available
• Apply HERE

If you’re driven by urban life, and want to learn how it all came together, then check out this sociology class.

CitiesX is a great program if you’re looking for a modern approach to sociology. In fact, it comes with subtitles in English and Portuguese, and it is an introductory course, so no prior knowledge is required.

During this class, you’ll get to learn about cities at various periods of time. This will give you some perspective on how urban areas changed throughout the years. You’ll also get to explore historically important cities like Rome and Seattle, and how they stood out from the rest of the world. 

Then, you’ll move on to urban planning issues related to transportation, public health, cost of living, crime, etc. More than that, these problems will be backed by interviews from policymakers, academics, and other figures in sociology.

Likewise, you’ll get to learn from a Harvard University Professor E. Glaeser - a teacher of microeconomics theory, with occasional urban and public economics classes. He has over 20 years of teaching experience at Harvard, and published multiple studies regarding urban matters.

Now, the program costs $167 with full benefits. However, if you're not able to purchase the course at the moment, you may choose the audit track for limited access to the class. 

Anyhow, here’s a quick overview of the course:

• Understanding of Urbanism
• Historical Development of Cities
• Government Impact on Cities
• Cultural Contributions to Cities
• Transportation in Urban Areas
• Public Policy in Cities
• Future of Urban Life

So, this seems like a great program that encompasses economics and sociology. Therefore, if you have an interest in an online sociology degree and economics, then this course might be suitable for you. 

Start the course NOW.

Classical Sociological Theory (Enroll Here)

• Platform: Coursera
• Duration: approximately 13 hours
• Price: from $49
• Certificate: YES
• Level: Mixed
• Discount: Not Available
• Apply HERE

Like I’ve mentioned previously, sociology consists of theoretical concepts. Which is why having an online sociology class backed with video content is the way to go. And this course may give you just that. 

The Classical Sociological Theory program on Coursera offers an introduction to classical sociological readings of the past couple of centuries. The whole course will be backed by ideas of historic scholars such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim.

It is a fully online class that you can complete in about 13 hours. That’s in total, of course. You don’t need to sit through all the classes for 13 hours straight. But anyway, it comes with subtitles in 12 different languages, and you'll get a shareable certificate upon completion.

Now here’s how this program works: as always, you’ll start off with an introduction to classical sociological theory. Later you'll get to learn about sociological authors and their ideas.

In fact, these scholar-focused classes will be covered in chronological order: from the likes of Adam Smith, Alexis de Tocqueville to Karl Marx and Norbert Elias.

Finally, you’ll get to do a final test which consists of 87 questions. In order to pass, you’ll have to get at least 57 questions right. In fact, you’ll get exercises after every week of learning so you don’t fall behind. 

Your sociology class instructor will be Dr. Bart van Heerikhuizen who teaches Classical and Modern Sociology at the University of Amsterdam. He has been in the field of sociology for over 40 years.

His course is rated at a whopping 4.94 stars out of 5 with a total of 453 ratings. Students praised the teacher for his passion and ability to explain difficult concepts in an understandable way. Take a look at a review from one of the students:

"An amazing course! A very clever presentation of the "founding fathers"  of sociology. Material well laid out, in small videos with eye catching-animations. The professor shows a genuine passion for his subject." - Stavros K.

So, if you’re interested in this program, you can get full access by purchasing it as a single course for $49-$79. But also, you can get Coursera Plus for $59, and get access to the best sociology programs with thousands of other classes too. However, you may enroll for free with limited access to the course.

Now let’s briefly go through the topics that you’ll take during this class:

• Introduction to Classical Sociological Theory
• Bernard Mandeville and Adam Smith
• Auguste Comte
• Alexis de Tocqueville
• Karl Marx
• Max Weber
• Norbert Elias

In summary, if you want to learn how sociological concepts came together throughout the years, then this program might bring you up to speed. 

Start the course NOW.

Moralities of Everyday Life (Enroll Here)

• Platform: Coursera
• Duration: approximately 24 hours
• Price: from $49
• Certificate: YES
• Level: Mixed
• Discount: Not Available
• Apply HERE

Here’s the thing - sociology covers a wide variety of topics, and that includes psychology. So, what do you get when the two are together? Social psychology. It is a subfield of sociology that you’ll get to learn about during this course.

The Moralities of Everyday Life program covers compassion, cruelty, senses of right and wrong, and other psychological foundations that occur in our daily lives.

This class is structured into 6 weeks of learning, with about a total of 24 hours to complete the course. Also, the program comes with subtitles in 12 languages, and a certificate of completion for your online resume.

During the first week, you’ll be introduced to morality and compassion. Later, you will take a closer look at the cultural influence on morality, and how our morals change between family, friends, and strangers.

Now, for the last part, you will look for answers to the questions of morality, compassion, etc. In fact, after every completed lecture, you’ll get to take a 30-minute quiz for revision.  

The course instructor will be Paul Bloom who is a Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale University. With over a hundred scientific articles published, Prof. Bloom is an award-winning book writer, researcher, and most importantly, a great teacher.

His program was rated by almost 3000 people with a total score of 4.8 stars out of 5. Previous students acknowledged Prof. Bloom’s passion, enthusiasm, and humorous elements which only made the class more interesting.

Let’s say you’re interested in this class. How do you enroll? Well, there are a couple of options.

Firstly, you may try purchasing it as a single learning program (prices start at $49). Also, you can subscribe to Coursera Plus ($59) with full access to over a couple thousand other online courses. Finally, you can use the Financial Aid option and see if you're eligible for monetary support, or choose the audit track for limited access to the program.

Anyways, now that we know the ins and outs of this program, let’s go through the things that you’ll get to learn:

• Introduction to Morality
• Compassion
• Origins of Morality
• Cultural Differences
• Morality between family, friends, and strangers
• Answers to Moral Behaviour

So, if you’re interested in social relationships while pursuing an online sociology degree, here’s your chance to get a potential career boost. 

Start the course NOW. 

Social Norms, Social Change I (Enroll Here)

• Platform: Coursera
• Duration: approximately 13 hours
• Price: from $49
• Certificate: YES 
• Level: Beginner
• Discount: Not Available
• Apply HERE

We’re gonna end this tour with a more engaging program that drives for action in the real world. It is a joint effort project between the University of Pennsylvania and UNICEF.

The Social Norms, Social Change I course will enlighten you on what types of social norms hold our society together. The main focus of this program is to give you the right idea on how to distinguish social norms from constructs that are harmful.

It is a beginner program that requires about 13 hours of your time to complete. Likewise, you can use subtitles in 13 different languages. Last but not least, you will be awarded an online certificate for your hard work.

Now, you’ll start off by learning how to distinguish between interdependent and independent actions. Then, you will learn how to differentiate normative expectations and beliefs. Finally, the second part of the course will cover conditional preferences and ways to measure norms.

As a side note, you’ll be given 2-3 quizzes after finishing each lecture for revision.

These sociology classes will be presented by Cristina Bicchieri who is a Professor of Social Thought and Comparative Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania. Her course is currently rated at 4.6 stars out of 5 with positive feedback from previous students. 

In fact, the Learning Career Outcome tab shows that 13% of the students got career benefits from taking this course. Therefore, this program may reflect greatly on your path towards an online sociology degree.

At the moment, the price of such a course starts at $49. However, you can get a Coursera Plus subscription for $59 which gives you access to thousands of other classes. Also, you could choose the free-trial option or request Financial Aid.

Now let’s go through some key aspects that you’ll learn from this course:

• Interdependent & Independent Actions
• Normative expectations and beliefs
• Conditional Preferences
• Measuring Norms

In closing, the Social Norms, Social Change I program is a great collection of introductory classes on sociology. If you’d like to earn a certificate and get a potential career boost, then you might as well try this program out.

Start the course NOW.

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Conclusions

At this point, I’m sure you’ve figured out how you’d like to approach sociology online, degrees included. We’ve gone through some of the best sociology programs that may offer career support via certificates. And it sure sounds like a great way to start.

However, if you’re not satisfied with a course that you’ve purchased, online learning platforms have refund and trial options. For instance, Udemy offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, while edX gives you a 14-day period to get a refund. Last but not least, Coursera gives a 7-day Free Trial on their subscription program.