Best Sociology Programs in Maryland for 2027

Maryland's Sociology Major puts quantitative work up front. You'll need MATH107 or higher before Introductory Statistics for Sociology, and that course plus Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology has to be done before the two required 400-level research courses. Sociological Theory and Sociological Social Psychology are required too, along with one of three options that include Inequality in American Society and Social Stratification and Inequality. Your remaining substantive courses are one at the 300 or 400 level and one at the 400 level, and special topics sections can count. Every course in the major needs a C- or better. The department also offers an honors component for students who want the most demanding version of the major.

Research Courses

Two 400-level SOCY research courses after SOCY201 and SOCY202

Math Prerequisite

MATH107 or higher before sociology statistics

Major Credits

35, including the math foundation course

Program Sources: Sociology Major | University of Maryland CatalogSociology Major | University of Maryland Catalog

UMBC majors move through a fixed core: Introduction to Sociology (SOCY 101), research methods (SOCY 300), statistics (SOCY 301) and theory (SOCY 409). The department asks you to take 300, 301 and 409 at UMBC, and none of the three runs in summer or winter sessions, so plan around the fall and spring calendar. Statistics work uses secondary data and software such as SPSS. Faculty research centers on social inequality, health, neighborhoods, and crime and law, often studied in Baltimore. Juniors and seniors can apply for an accelerated bachelor’s and master’s route into the Master of Arts in Applied Sociology.

Core Sequence

SOCY 101, methods (SOCY 300), statistics (SOCY 301) and theory (SOCY 409)

Data Training

Secondary data analysis with statistical software such as SPSS

Graduate Pathway

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s with the MA in Applied Sociology

Program Sources: Sociology – Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health – UMBC

Bowie State offers sociology as a B.S., which has no language requirement. The B.A. version asks for 12 credit hours of a foreign language and is not admitting new students beginning Fall 2026. Eight core classes cover anthropology and sociology, sociological theory, deviant and collective behavior, statistics, and research methods and data analysis. You then choose four sociology electives, such as rural and urban sociology, race and ethnic relations, marriage and family, or juvenile delinquency and criminology. You need at least a C in every course in the major. With 34 degrees awarded in 2023–24, this is one of the larger programs on its Maryland state page.

Core Classes

Eight courses including sociological theory, deviant behavior, statistics and research methods

Electives

Four sociology electives in topics such as race and ethnic relations or juvenile delinquency

Degree Options

B.S. with no language requirement; B.A. with 12 credit hours of a foreign language

Program Sources: Program Requirements | Bowie StateSociology | Bowie State

At Morgan the sociology major itself takes 71 of the 120 credits, because it folds in anthropology and a two-part research sequence. Required courses include Social Theory, Introduction to Social Statistics, Methods of Social Research I and II, and Social Inequality, and you finish with Applied Anthropology and Applied Sociology. Four sociology electives at the 300 to 400 level and two sequential foreign language courses in the same language complete the degree. Until you reach 24 credits and a 2.0 GPA, a College of Liberal Arts retention advisor handles your advising. Morgan awarded 32 degrees in 2023–24.

Research Sequence

Introduction to Social Statistics plus Methods of Social Research I and II

Applied Courses

Applied Anthropology and Applied Sociology

Language Requirement

Two sequential courses in the same foreign language

Program Sources: Program: Sociology, B.A. - Morgan State University

Salisbury sociology majors carry out original research on topics such as food deserts, the effects of divorce on children, school discipline and racial inequalities, and racial disparities in maternal and infant health care. Internship placements have included the Salisbury Mayor’s Office, the Life Crisis Center, Parole and Probation, the State’s Attorney Office and WBOC TV News, and recent majors have studied or interned abroad in Costa Rica, Ireland and Spain. Two student groups run alongside the classes: the student-led Sociology Front and a Steering Committee of student leaders nominated by faculty.

Original Research

Majors conduct in-depth research on topics such as food deserts and school discipline

Internships

Placements with city government, parole and probation, and local nonprofits

Student Groups

Sociology Front and the Sociology Department Student Steering Committee

Program Sources: Sociology Major | Salisbury University

Hopkins requires five courses: Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Introduction to Social Statistics, Social Theory and a Sociology Research Lab. You add six department electives, at least four at the 300 level, and two of those electives must carry a Writing and Communications designation. Required courses must be taken during the regular academic year, intersession courses do not count, and every course needs a C or better. The department also points out that the major builds competencies recommended for medical school applications, and it strongly encourages foreign language study.

Required Courses

Introduction, research methods, social statistics, social theory and Sociology Research Lab

Electives

Six electives, at least four at the 300 level, two with a Writing and Communications designation

Grade Rule

C or better in every course

Program Sources: Major Requirements | Sociology | Johns Hopkins UniversityUndergraduate | Sociology | Johns Hopkins University

St. Mary’s asks sociology majors for four required courses, Introduction to Sociology, Social Statistics, Sociological Theory and Research Methods, then more courses coded SOCI. Senior year offers two ways to finish: an eight-credit St. Mary’s Project, or the Senior Seminar plus one more sociology course at the 300 or 400 level. You plan your own program with an adviser, and the faculty recommend choosing a sociology adviser by the start of junior year. The suggested schedule puts statistics in sophomore year and research methods in junior year. Students interested in Maryland social studies certification are pointed to the College’s Teacher Education Program.

Required Courses

Introduction to Sociology, Social Statistics, Sociological Theory and Research Methods

Capstone Choice

St. Mary’s Project or Sociology Senior Seminar with an additional upper-level course

Adviser

Choose a sociology faculty adviser by the beginning of junior year

Program Sources: Degree Requirement: Sociology, BS - St Marys College of Maryland

Maryland's Sociology PhD requires a second-year research paper and one specialty exam before dissertation research, along with theory, statistics, and methods coursework. The department also names the Maryland Population Research Center and a center focused on military organization among its research connections. Those settings could suit questions about population, institutions, or service communities, depending on faculty fit. The PhD page lays out 40 coursework credits and a substantial separate dissertation component, making the research-paper and specialty-exam sequence the practical milestones to compare with other programs.

Early Paper

Second-Year Research Paper

Research Connection

Maryland Population Research Center

Program Sources: University of Maryland Sociology PhD RequirementsUniversity of Maryland Sociology Graduate Catalog

Hopkins describes its sociology PhD as a research apprenticeship that blends formal instruction, faculty-directed study, and supervised but self-initiated research. Requirements include a core curriculum, electives, a research apprenticeship, a one-semester teaching assistantship, a residency and the dissertation, and you are expected to finish everything except the dissertation, proposal defense included, by the end of fall in year four. Two optional concentrations exist, Global Social Change and Social Inequality, and a joint program with Applied Mathematics and Statistics leads to a sociology PhD plus an MA or MSE. Three degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Apprenticeship

Research apprenticeship plus a one-semester teaching assistantship

Concentrations

Program on Global Social Change and Program on Social Inequality, both optional

Joint Program

PhD in sociology with an MA or MSE in applied mathematics and statistics

Program Sources: Graduate | Sociology | Johns Hopkins UniversityPhD Requirements | Sociology | Johns Hopkins University

Prince George’s sociology A.A. is a 60-credit transfer program for students heading into a bachelor’s degree in sociology or a related social science. The coursework covers Conflict Theory, Interactionism, Structural Functionalism and Feminist Theory, then applies the scientific method to changes in the economy, demographics, stratification and mobility. Ethical issues in sociological research are part of the curriculum, along with practice collaborating with people from different socioeconomic and racial or ethnic backgrounds. The program awarded 8 degrees in 2023–24.

Program Type

Transfer program of 60 credits

Theory Coverage

Conflict Theory, Interactionism, Structural Functionalism and Feminist Theory

Research Ethics

Ethical issues in sociological research

Program Sources: Sociology, A.A. - Prince George's Community College