Sociology (BA)

Co‑op

Available as a Minor

Curious about how society influences us and how we can influence it? Dive into contemporary social issues and discover how individuals and groups work to improve communities. Explore the dynamic interactions between health, government, crime and other societal elements that shape your social experience. Graduate with in-demand skills and a deep understanding of these complex systems.

Laurier's Sociology program open doors to careers in government, non-profits, education and the private sector.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Build a Career with Impact
    Follow in the footsteps of other successful grads and complement your Sociology major with a minor in Criminology or Policing. This combination often leads to successful admission to the Ontario Police College, opening doors to careers in law enforcement and social services.
  • Pathway to Grad School
    Pursue a Master of Social Work degree after you graduate, or start your Sociology program with a conditional offer for our full-time MBA (with co-op) program.
  • Advance Your Skills in Social Research
    Specialize in Applied Social Research by taking advanced methods courses in your later years. Graduate equipped to conduct impactful research on human and societal behavior.
  • Accelerate Your Degree
    Fast-track your future by completing your degree in just three years. By working with your Academic Advisor and taking courses during the summer semesters, you can graduate early and get a head start on your career or graduate studies. 

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more):

  • Apply to Co-op
    Apply to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies. Develop skills and gain real-world experience in the career path of your interest. 
  • Connect Learning to Impact
    Participate in Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses that blend outside-the-classroom experiences with academic content through placements or projects, and guided critical reflection.
  • Meet Fellow Students
    Meet like-minded peers through co-curricular opportunities that bring your learning to life. Join student groups like the Sociology Student Association or join the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) as a student member and attend conferences to interact with experts in the field. 
  • Ensure a Supportive Start
    Ease your transition into university with our first-year courses, AF105S (Skills) and AF105W (Writing). These courses help you build the foundations for academic success, developing key skills in time management, critical thinking, research, and writing. 

Courses, Options and Pathways

Courses 

Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.

Program Options 

Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • addictions counsellor
  • community development coordinator
  • criminologist
  • disability/diversity consultant
  • health care administrator
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • marriage and family therapist
  • mediator/labour relations
  • public relations specialist
  • social worker
  • victims advocate

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate future-ready.

Future Laurier Arts students have two options to engage in co-op. You can apply in first-year to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies.

You can also get a head-start and apply for direct admission to our brand-new co-op program straight from high school in select Arts programs. In both pathways, you will gain 12 months of career experience.

Interested? Learn more about co-op in the Faculty of Arts.

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99%employment rate for co‑op students – 2024 / 2025

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Center for World University Rankings

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2024

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2024

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

students in a classroom

Delivered In Person

Join us on campus and experience university life firsthand.

Attend all your classes in a physical classroom on scheduled days and times, which you will see and choose from when you register for courses.

Connect face-to-face with your professors, learn alongside your classmates and be part of the campus community from day one.  

Hear From Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?