Best Sociology Programs in Idaho for 2027

Idaho’s sociology major is 51 credits and starts with Introduction to Inequity and Justice alongside Introduction to Sociology and Development of Social Theory. You take a statistics course, then pick one of three methods options: Social Science Research Methods, Qualitative Social Science Methods or Social Data Analysis. A course on gender, race, aging or justice rounds out the base, and the degree closes with either Capstone: Sociology in Action or a Senior Practicum. Eighteen credits of upper-division sociology electives can be organized into Inequalities and Social Action or Environment, Science and Society. You earn it as either a B.A. or a B.S. It awarded 23 degrees in 2023–24 and is first on its state page.

Methods Choice

Social Science Research Methods, Qualitative Social Science Methods or Social Data Analysis

Capstone

Capstone: Sociology in Action, or Senior Practicum

Concentrations

Inequalities and Social Action, or Environment, Science and Society

Program Sources: Sociology (B.A. or B.S.) | University of Idaho Catalog

Every student in Boise State’s B.S. in Sociology goes through the same four-course spine: Sociological Theory I and II, Elementary Social Statistics and Social Research. A Senior Seminar finishes the sequence, and at least 3 credits must come from undergraduate research, an internship or independent study, so you get some applied work before you graduate. Fifteen credits of upper-division sociology electives are yours to point at whatever interests you. The department describes the aim as training you to engage in social scientific analysis and think critically about public affairs. Boise State awarded 32 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24.

Core Sequence

Sociological Theory I and II, Elementary Social Statistics and Social Research

Capstone

Senior Seminar (SOC 498)

Applied Credit

At least 3 credits of undergraduate research, internship or independent study

Program Sources: Bachelor of Science in Sociology | Boise State University Academic CatalogBachelor of Science in Sociology - Sociology

BYU-Idaho’s Sociology BS starts with a 15-credit core: Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Explorations, Sociological Theory, Research Methods and Sociological Analysis. You’ll also take Social Science Statistics, and the catalog says to finish it before Sociological Analysis. From there you choose 24 credits of electives from courses such as Sociology of the Family, Race and Ethnic Relations, Sociology of Mental Health, Social Stratification, Crime and Delinquency and Demography. The degree ends with a choice between a senior thesis and a senior internship in sociology. Major courses need a C- or better, and the program offers an accelerated option you can talk through with your department chair and adviser.

Methods and Statistics

Research Methods, Sociological Analysis and Social Science Statistics

Final Requirement

Senior Thesis or Senior Internship in Sociology

Major Electives

24 credits from courses such as Demography, Social Stratification and Sociology of Mental Health

Program Sources: Sociology (Major: Bachelor-Level) | BYU-Idaho Academic Catalog 2026-2027Sociology (B.S.) | Majors & Degrees | BYU-Idaho

Idaho State’s B.A. in Sociology asks for a short, clear list of required courses and then hands you 18 credits of sociology electives to shape yourself. The required list covers Classical Social Theory, Contemporary Social Theory, Power, Class, and Prestige, a social statistics course and a research methods course. You can meet the methods requirement with Sociological Methods and Social Work Research or with Psychology Research Methods, and the statistics requirement with Social Statistics or Basic Statistics from psychology. At least 12 of the elective credits must be upper division. Idaho State awarded 45 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24.

Theory Courses

Classical Social Theory and Contemporary Social Theory

Methods Options

Sociological Methods and Social Work Research, or Psychology Research Methods

Electives

18 credits of sociology, at least 12 of them upper division

Program Sources: B.A. in Sociology | Idaho State University Academic Catalog

North Idaho College’s Sociology AA is built as a transfer program, so most of its 60 to 65 credits are general education plus a small sociology core. That core is Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems and one course chosen from Marriage and Family, Race and Ethnic Relations, or Introduction to Sociology of Gender. Nineteen elective credits at the 100 level or higher let you test other fields or line up courses with the university you plan to attend. The department teaches through a social justice lens, and the Transfer Center names the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College as local options. NIC awarded 1 sociology associate degree in 2023–24.

Required Courses

Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems

Choice Course

Marriage and Family, Race and Ethnic Relations, or Introduction to Sociology of Gender

Transfer Options

University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College are listed as local options

Program Sources: Sociology - North Idaho CollegeSOCL.AA Program | North Idaho College Catalog

At College of Western Idaho, the Sociology AA puts a research course inside your first two years: Sociological Research (SOC 280) sits beside Introduction to Sociology and a choice between Introduction to Ethnic Studies and Social Movements. Global Issues and Sociology of Deviance also appear in the plan, and the deviance course doubles as your ethical reasoning requirement. The degree totals 60 credits, is designed to meet general education requirements at all Idaho public universities, and tells you to match your course selection to the school you will transfer to. CWI awarded 6 sociology associate degrees in 2023–24.

Major Courses

Introduction to Sociology, Ethnic Studies or Social Movements, and Sociological Research

Global Perspective

SOC 120 Global Issues

Transfer Planning

Course selection coordinated with your intended transfer institution

Program Sources: Sociology - Associate of Arts Degree (AA) | College of Western Idaho Academic CatalogSociology | College of Western Idaho Academic Catalog

College of Southern Idaho’s Sociology AA reads like a two-year runway to a bachelor’s. Beyond Introduction to Sociology, the plan includes Social Problems, Race and Ethnic Relations and a Statistical Reasoning course, spread across four semesters of about 15 credits each. The degree is designed to meet general education requirements at all Idaho public universities, and the department asks you to coordinate your course choices with the institution you intend to transfer to. According to the department, sociology graduates often pursue research, teaching, social work, criminology or pre-law. CSI awarded 1 sociology associate degree in 2023–24.

Sociology Courses

Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, and Race and Ethnic Relations

Quantitative Course

MATH 153 Statistical Reasoning

Transfer Pathway

Meets general education requirements at all Idaho public universities

Program Sources: Sociology Department | CSI - College of Southern IdahoCollege of Southern Idaho - Sociology, Associate of Arts