Best Sociology Programs in Georgia for 2027

Georgia’s Sociology AB offers a general sociology track and a separate emphasis in sociological methodology. Both begin with sociological theory and research methods, while the supporting courses require either quantitative social research or introductory statistics. In the general track, most sociology electives are upper-division and completed in residence. The bulletin also treats transfer work carefully: non-equivalent courses receive an individual syllabus review, and transfer credit toward the major is limited. Students who already have sociology coursework should check that review before planning the remaining electives at UGA.

Track Choice

General Sociology or Sociological Methodology

Transfer Review

Non-equivalent sociology courses require individual syllabus review

Program Sources: University of Georgia Bulletin: Sociology AB

Kennesaw State’s Sociology BS requires an applied choice: cooperative study, an internship or upper-division study abroad. Theory, research methods and a senior seminar are required in the major, alongside courses on inequality and social organization or technology. You choose a concentration in General Sociology, Culture and Social Change, Criminology or Medical Sociology. The degree is available face to face or fully online, but the department advises online students to plan early because not every online course runs each semester.

Applied Requirement

Cooperative study, internship or upper-division study abroad

Concentrations

General Sociology, Culture and Social Change, Criminology or Medical Sociology

Program Sources: Program: Sociology, B.S. - Kennesaw State UniversityBachelor of Science in Sociology - Radow

A senior thesis is required for every Spelman sociology major. It is an original, independent research project supervised by designated faculty advisers and readers, and all other core courses must be finished before you enroll, with the exception of Contemporary Social Theory. The department calls its approach scholar-activism, which means understanding society and culture in order to change both for the better. You are encouraged to take an internship course in junior or senior year, working at least 15 hours a week for a semester at an Atlanta nonprofit, government, social service or research site, for four elective credits. Spelman also offers a combined major in sociology and anthropology. Eight students graduated in sociology in 2023–24.

Senior Thesis

SOC 432, an original and independent research project, required of all majors

Internship

SOC 435, at least 15 hours a week in metropolitan Atlanta, for four elective credits

Related Major

A second major in sociology and anthropology

Program Sources: Sociology and Anthropology | Spelman College | Atlanta, GA

Georgia State’s Sociology BA requires students who declare the major after 2019 to finish an internship or capstone. The internship combines work at an approved site with coursework connecting organizational experience to sociology and professional preparation. Eligibility includes introductory sociology, upper-division sociology coursework and confirmation from a site supervisor. Placement hours must fall within the enrolled semester, so an earlier job or volunteer role does not automatically satisfy the requirement. The capstone gives students a different way to complete this part of the major.

Culminating Choice

Internship or capstone

Internship Planning

Approved site, prior sociology coursework and placement hours during the enrolled semester

Program Sources: Georgia State Sociology Internship Program

Morehouse builds its sociology major to prepare you for social policy work, and it pushes you out of the classroom. Students are strongly encouraged to complete internships, fieldwork and undergraduate research. The department runs the Morehouse Research Institute and the Chivers-Grant Institute for Family and Community Studies, which serve underserved populations. Morehouse and Emory take turns hosting the SouthEastern Undergraduate Sociology Symposium, which draws students from colleges across the region. You can add a concentration in the sociology of family and gender, join the Morehouse Sociological Association, or earn election to Alpha Kappa Delta, the sociology honor society. Ten students completed the degree in 2023–24.

Concentration

Sociology of family and gender

Research Institutes

Morehouse Research Institute and Chivers-Grant Institute for Family and Community Studies

Regional Symposium

SouthEastern Undergraduate Sociology Symposium, hosted with Emory University

Program Sources: Sociology | Morehouse College

Georgia State’s standalone Sociology MA is a terminal data-analytic track, and the university explicitly distinguishes it from preparation for its PhD. The core requires intermediate and advanced social statistics, qualitative methods, and two research-methodology courses. Students then select substantive and advanced-method electives before completing an internship and capstone. The university lists options such as evaluation research, spatial analysis, and a domestic field school. Applicants seeking a research doctorate should notice the program’s stated purpose; applicants seeking applied analysis can inspect how the internship connects methods to practice.

Program Purpose

Terminal professional data-analytic MA

Applied Ending

Internship plus capstone

Program Sources: Georgia State Graduate School: Sociology MA

Georgia State's PhD-only Sociology route requires a completed master's degree in sociology or a related field. Its doctoral core includes qualitative methods, multivariate data analysis, advanced research methodology, and sociological theory. Students then take area courses from topics such as life course, sexuality, race, urban sociology, and health; portfolios precede a dissertation proposal and defense. Applicants without equivalent graduate statistics, methods, or theory may need prerequisite courses. That prior-master's entry rule distinguishes this route from Georgia State's separate combined MA/PhD track.

Entry Route

Prior master's required for PhD-only admission

Assessment

Area portfolios before dissertation

Program Sources: Georgia State Sociology PhD

Emory’s Sociology PhD requires two qualifying research papers, with the student serving as first author on the first paper. Methods, statistics and theory support that work, followed by a grant proposal, dissertation proposal and dissertation. Teaching preparation is also part of the degree: students complete a teaching seminar and independently teach at least one class. Specialization typically centers on culture and social psychology or health and inequality, making the faculty’s research interests and the program’s teaching responsibilities useful considerations when comparing doctoral options.

Research Milestones

Two qualifying papers plus grant and dissertation proposals

Teaching Preparation

Required seminar and at least one independently taught class

Program Sources: Emory Sociology Graduate Handbook 2025–2027, Version February 3, 2026

Georgia’s Sociology PhD uses a second-year research paper to assess readiness to continue into the third year. Students earn the MA along the way through a shared graduate curriculum. The first year combines research design and theory with two statistics courses, professional preparation and substantive electives. Later study focuses on a chosen specialty and prepares students for written and oral comprehensive examinations. Passing those examinations and meeting coursework and residency requirements leads to doctoral candidacy and the dissertation stage.

Early Research

Second-year qualifying paper evaluated for continuation

Doctoral Assessment

Written and oral comprehensive examinations before candidacy

Program Sources: Graduate Degree Programs | Department of Sociology

Georgia Military College’s sociology associate curriculum introduces research methods and social theory through Introduction to Sociology, then examines changing norms and institutions in Social Problems. The introductory course covers culture, socialization, mobility and population; Social Problems turns to family, economic and religious institutions. The program also emphasizes applying the scientific method and evaluating information critically. GMC lists both AA and AS options through its online college. If you plan to transfer, use the receiving university’s requirements when choosing general education courses.

Concentration Courses

Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems

Research Preparation

Scientific method, social theory and critical evaluation of information

Program Sources: Sociology Associates Degree | Georgia Military CollegeOnline Associate's & Bachelor's Degree Programs | GMC Online