Sociology Degree Requirements

If you decide that sociology is going to be your main subject, there are several types of degrees that you can choose from. Each represents a different level of commitment to the discipline:  

• Major in Sociology  
• Joint Major in Sociology (and another subject)  
• Honours in Sociology  
• Honours in Sociology with a Subsidiary  

Second year sociology courses (200 level) require SOCI 100 as a prerequisite.  300 level and 400 level courses require at least 12 credits in sociology below the 300 level as the prerequisite, or the permission of the instructor.  SOCI 100 counts as one of these credits. 

Paths to being a sociology graduate at StFX

Major in Sociology

The major program is the standard concentration given to a discipline.  The choice of a major is typically declared at the end of the second year of study.  A minor subject can also be declared at this time. 

To major in sociology, a minimum of 36 credits in the discipline are required, which normally include:  

• SOCI 101 and 102  
• SOCI 202 and at least 3 more credits at the 200 level  
• SOCI 301 and 302  
• At least 12 additional SOCI credits at the third or fourth-year level  

Requirements for graduation:  

• Maintain an average of at least 55% over the final three years  
• See the Academic Calendar for other regulations  

Joint Major in Sociology

A joint major allows further specialization in your sociology degree. Some areas of specialization include:  

• Aquatic Resources  
• Development Studies  
• English  
• History  
• Philosophy  
• Political Science  
• Psychology  
• Women's and Gender Studies  

Please see the  Academic Calendar for requirements and course patterns for a joint major.

Honours in Sociology

Students who want to get the most out of their Sociology degree whether for love of the subject, or because of plans for a career in social science-related fields, or plans for further study at the MA or Ph.D. level, should enter the honours program. The benefits include:  

• A greater variety of courses and more in-depth study in sociology  
• Better integration into the life of the department  
• Contact with other sociology students  
• One-on-one contact with one or more professors who act as advisors for your thesis project  
• A degree that will carry more weight with prospective employers and graduate programs than the Major.  

Honours with Subsidiary Subject

The honours with subsidiary subject program allows students to pursue a combined study in two disciplines. This permits students to broaden their knowledge of other academic disciplines without sacrificing their concentration in sociology.  Students can and have pursued subsidiaries in:  

• English  
• History  
• Philosophy  
• Political Science  
• Psychology  
• Women's and Gender Studies  

If sociology is selected as a subsidiary subject by an honours student in the BA program, 24 SOCI credits are required, with at least 6 of those credits at the 300 level.  Please see the Academic Calendar for requirements and course patterns for an honours with a subsidiary subject. 

Honours Admission Info and Requirements

Apply before March 31st in your second year. To be accepted into the honours program, you need:  

• An average of at least 75% in ten courses (60 credits) taken during your first two years  
• An average of at least 75% in all of the courses completed in the honours subject during your first two years  
• Grade of 70% in each course in the honours subject

A minimum of 60 credits (10 full courses) in sociology are required, which normally include:  

• SOCI 101 and 102  
• SOCI 202 and at least 3 more credits at the 200 level  
• SOCI 301 and 302 and at least 3 credits in methods (SOCI 300 or 307)  
• At least 6 SOCI credits at the third-year level  
• SOCI 400 (thesis), SOCI 491, plus at least 6 credits at the fourth-year level  
• SOCI 391 is highly recommended  

Requirements for graduation:  

• An average of at least 75% in all courses completed during the four years  
• A grade of not less than 70% in each course of the honours subject  
• An average of at least 75% in all courses taken in the honours subject in each of the second year and third year  
• See the Academic Calendar for university regulations on honours programs