BA in Sociology Salary, Syllabus and Jobs

Stream: Arts

Duration: 3 Years

Course: Sociology

Course Type: Graduation

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology or BA Sociology is a 3-year undergraduate course identifying an environment’s important themes and questions studied by sociologists. The minimum eligibility criterion required for the course is Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognized university. 

Admission to BA Sociology is generally merit based. However, some institutes also conduct entrance exams for providing admission to the candidates. Some of the top colleges offering admission to the program are: 

• Loyola College, Chennai
• Christ University, Bangalore
• Fergusson College, Pune
• Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi
• Kurukshetra University, Haryana

Sociology deals with the intricacies of social world, psychological aspects of men and women, issues such as racism, how people deal with social status and respect, and other major questions that define life as a human being. In other words, it can be defined as the systematic study of human society, culture, and relationships on a collective level. It also explains how social relationships and cultural understanding shape life chances, experiences, attitudes and actions of individuals and groups.

Sociology can be distinguished into various sub- branches, with more popular ones being psychology and anthropology. Social psychology studies the range of attitudes or feelings of each individual person whereas anthropology focuses more on how human society has changed over time. Undergraduate sociology primarily provides valuable insights into social factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, education, and social class that affect work and in general, and operations of organizations.

Sociology involves the study of different ideas for what creates an ideal society, which differs from a person to person, considering economic perspective, social class, caste and other factors. Thus, the course includes the study of how economics, politics, culture are related in different ways, the similarities and differences among different types of people, and of social institutions such as religious groups, political institutions which are major structures made up of groups and ideas influencing people’s daily lives, worldviews etc.

The core subjects taught in the course are Applied Sociology, Comparative Sociology, Cultural Sociology, Collective Behavior, Crime and Delinquency, Community and Demography.

BA in Sociology: Course Objectives

The course aims to provide a systematic introduction to sociology and its basic concepts. It lays emphasis on the theoretical and methodological functions of sociology and psychology with equal importance given to an introduction to the sociological studies in India. Contributions of eminent Indian sociologists and substantial themes of Indian Society are also included in the course curriculum. The students are exposed to divergent perspectives in sociology to make sure that they acquire the necessary skills to understand a context’s various social phenomena. The primary objectives are listed here:

• To develop an attitude of inter disciplinary approach in Humanities and Social Sciences
• To restructure the curriculum in Sociology by covering pedagogy, content, structure and evaluation
• To provide a sense of social responsibility in issues and problems in and around our society
• To explore in depth the many dynamics of social change, social stratification and address raging social problems

BA in Sociology: Course Highlights

Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.

Top Institutes for Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Sociology)

The average tuition fee charged in India for the course ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 2 Lacs, varying depending upon the institution offering the course.

Compiled here is a list of the top institutes in India offering the course along with their respective locations, eligibility conditions, admission processes, and fees charged by each.

BA in Sociology: Distance Learning Mode

IGNOU, Delhi, offers BA in Sociology in the distance learning mode for students who have cleared 10+2 or equivalent exam. The minimum duration of the course is 3 years and maximum is 6 years. The total course fee is INR 6,000. To take admission to IGNOU’s UG degree program, candidates are needed to pass its Bachelor’s Preparatory Program (BPP) first.

Course Duration

The duration of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology is 3 academic years spread over 6 semesters with 2 semesters in each academic year. Each semester has a combination of theoretical classes, practical training, seminars and talks including a mandatory project submission in the last semester.

Eligibility for BA in Sociology

The minimum eligibility required for pursuing BA in Sociology is a Senior Secondary examination (10+2) qualification with at least 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized Board or Council. Admission to most of the colleges is either based on performance in the relevant entrance exam or on marks secured in the qualifying examination. There is a relaxation of 5% marks for those belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST/WW/Physically Challenged Categories). Some universities demand English as one of the main subjects in Class XII.

Students appearing for +2 examination are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of a particular college.

BA in Sociology: Admission Process

Admission is based either on performance in the entrance examinations conducted by a university or marks secured in the senior secondary examination as per the university’s admission process. However, some institutes require a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in class XII as one of the qualifying criteria for admission. Selection to the course in such colleges is based on marks or equivalent CGPA. Thus, a merit list or cut-off list is prepared on the basis of marks obtained in +2 and performance in the entrance test, if any. English is one of the mandatory subjects at +2 for some top institutes.

The last step of the admission process involves counselling wherein students are granted admission based on marks secured either in the entrance test or at the graduation level or both.

BA in Sociology: Career Prospects

A degree in sociology provides an excellent platform for entering the world of business, industry, and organizations. Applicants may be considered for junior or senior positions in corporate research, human resources, management, sales, or public relations. Other viable career options are teaching, research, social sector, media and communication studies, law, corporate social responsibility (CSR), H.R., human rights organizations, etc. The degree prepares graduates for jobs in social services, education, criminal justice, welfare services, government, counselling, charities and the voluntary sectors. The positions they are hired for include Charity Fundraiser, Community Development Worker, Counsellor, Lecturer, Housing Officer, Teacher, Social Researcher, Social Worker and Welfare Rights Adviser. The average salary offered in India to a fresh graduate of the course is approximately INR 3,60,000 per year, and with experience and a major in the discipline, one can earn up to INR 1,200,000 per year.

Listed below are some of the employment areas for sociology graduates:

• Corporate Research Firms
• Communications Industry
• Education Sector
• Human Services
• Public Relations
• Social Work
• Youth Services
• Humanitarian Organizations

BA in Sociology: Academic Options

BA Sociology paves way for further studies in developmental or civic areas, such as M.A. or Mass Communication or research based M.Phil. or Ph.D. courses, and is beneficial for those wishing to appear for the Indian Civil Services exam with Sociology as 1 of the main subjects.

Colleges Offering M.A. in Sociology:

• Assam University, Silchar
• Panjab University, Chandigarh
• Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad

Colleges Offering M.Phil. in Sociology

• Delhi University, Delhi
• Nagaland University, Kohima
• Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar
• Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak

Colleges Offering Ph.D. in Sociology

• Delhi University, Delhi
• University of Madras, Chennai
• Panjab University, Chandigarh
• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
• University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

Listed here are some of the popular job positions offered to successful graduates of the discipline with the corresponding job descriptions and salaries offered.

BA in Sociology: Syllabus and Course Structure

The program comprises a right mix of formal lectures, seminars, computer- based learning, individual and group project work, guest lectures, industry training and dissertation. Visits to slums, villages, Civil Society Organizations are organized to connect theoretical understanding with ground realities.

Listed below are the compulsory subjects covered in the course:

• Module 1: Introducing Sociology
• Module 2: Introducing India
• Module 3: Classical Sociological Thinkers I
• Module 4: Social Interaction and Social Relationships
• Module 5: Classical Sociological Thinkers II
• Module 6: Body, Culture and Cultural Contestations
• Module 7: Social Institutions I
• Module 8: Social Theory I
• Module 9: Social Institutions II
• Module 10: Social Theory II
• Module 11: Research Method I
• Module 12: Social Stratification
• Module 13: Research Method II
• Module 14: Social Challenges and Movements
• Module 15: Change, Development, Globalization
• Module 16: Dissertation

Mentioned below are the elective subjects included in the course:

• Sociology of Development
• Principles of Sociology
• Sociology of Indian Society
• Social Psychology
• Political Sociology
• Economic Sociology
• Sociology of Education
• Social Anthropology
• Sociology of Mass Communication
• Life Skill Education
• Sociology of Mass Media
• Women Studies.

Aspirants seeking admission to 3 year Full-time BA Program should be passed in the Senior Secondary (+2) Examination (Academic Stream) conducted by the H.P Board of School Education or an examination accepted as equivalent thereto by the various bodies of the H.P. University.