Sociology Associate Degree Program

Navigate an increasingly global, multicultural world

The study of human behavior, culture, life, communities, social interaction, and globalization all falls under sociology. Students can learn key concepts for understanding and navigating an increasingly global and multicultural world.

For students seeking to transfer to a four-year university to study sociology, Harper College offers a number of courses exploring social institutions, social problems, social psychology, sex, gender, race and ethnicity. The Anthropology and Sociology Department also provides lectures series and travel study opportunities to prepare you for transferring and your future career.

Start at Harper. Finish at a four-year university.

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor's degree in sociology. Speak with your advisor about the best courses to take to meet your academic goals.

Associate in Arts—Sociology Sample Transfer Plan

Explore careers in sociology

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists career profile for most current data.

$46,375
Median Salary

-8.6%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

28
Job Postings

Description:

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

Core tasks:

Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.

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Rehabilitation Counselors

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Rehabilitation Counselors career profile for most current data.

$46,498
Median Salary

1.6%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

20
Job Postings

Description:

Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

Core tasks:

Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence.
Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
Locate barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.

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Social and Community Service Managers

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Social and Community Service Managers career profile for most current data.

$74,574
Median Salary

6.1%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

273
Job Postings

Description:

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Core tasks:

Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.

Quick facts:

Statisticians

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Statisticians career profile for most current data.

$112,435
Median Salary

12.9%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

34
Job Postings

Description:

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

Core tasks:

Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.

Quick facts:

Survey Researchers

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Survey Researchers career profile for most current data.

$80,138
Median Salary

-3%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

16
Job Postings

Description:

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

Core tasks:

Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.

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Technical Writers

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Technical Writers career profile for most current data.

$83,469
Median Salary

2.8%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

109
Job Postings

Description:

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Core tasks:

Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.

Quick facts:

Urban and Regional Planners

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Urban and Regional Planners career profile for most current data.

$98,636
Median Salary

0.3%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

82
Job Postings

Description:

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Core tasks:

Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.

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Resources

For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.