What does a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology look like?

Students at the U of S can take courses or specialize in several fields of Sociology, including crime and justice, health, indigenous knowledge, surveillance and control, migration, education, equality, family, gender and sexuality, work and more!

All Sociology majors are required to take a general introductory course in the discipline as well as courses in social theory and social research methods. They can choose additional courses from the fields that interest them. Students doing a BA 4-year program must also take courses in statistics and senior courses from selected areas. The Honours degree requires that students take advanced courses in theory and research methods and seminar courses in specialized areas within Sociology.

Requirements

The College of Arts and Science offers 3 BA programs for undergraduate students:

• BA 3-Year Degree
• BA 4-Year Degree
• BA 4-Year Honours Degree

Each degree will require a certain amount of credit units to be taken, with a number of them designated to sociology classes. For a comprehensive list of requirements to each of these degree programs, please visit Programs and Program Requirements.

If you are looking for a descriptions of the courses offered in the Department of Sociology, or at the univeristy in general please visit the Course Catalogue

For high school and prospective students, please click here to find out what the University of Saskatchewan has to offer for you based on your interests.

What is IJC? 

Indigenous Justice & Criminology (IJC) is for Indigenous students concerned with issues of social justice and criminology. Graduates of the program will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology and concentration in Indigenous Justice and Criminology. IJC students can complete a BA 3-year degree, B.A. 4-year degree, or B.A. Honours degree.

Graduates of the program may apply for employment in the criminal justice system directly upon graduation, or may use the program as a step towards advanced degrees such as a Bachelor of Laws or a Master’s degree in Sociology.

Indigenous Justice and Criminology (IJC) was formerly known as Aboriginal Justice and Criminology (ABJAC). 

Why IJC?

The IJC program was created in 1991 to meet the needs of Indigenous students interested in justice careers. It is the only program of its kind in North America. What makes the program unique are the two 12-week practicum courses (SOC 313.6 & SOC 314.6). Practicums are usually taken the summer after the second and third year of the students’ program that allows students to work in justice organizations for course credit. Students attend two orientation days of classes prior to commencing their agency placements. The organizations in which the students may work range from Indigenous community programs to non-profit advocacy groups to penal institutions. The practicum aspect of the program, combined with its academic focus, provides a sound foundation for Indigenous students planning a career in the justice field.

Permission has been granted from the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to restrict these practicum classes to Indigenous students only.

How do I Apply? 

First, apply to the College of Arts and Science. Students are encouraged to take the two SOC 100-level courses (SOC 111.3 & SOC 112.3) before applying to the program. Students are not usually accepted into the IJC program until they have completed their first year of universities studies.

To apply to the College of Arts and Science University Admissions or contact the Recruitment and Admissions Office at 306-966-5788. Application deadlines are listed on the University Admissions website.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026.

To apply to the IJC program you may download the application.

Program Requirements

Required courses: SOC 111.3, 112.3, 203.3, 212.3, 219.3, 225.3, 232.3, 233.3, 313.6, 314.6, and six credit units of 100-level English.

Recommended courses:  SOC 234.3, 311.3, 312.3, 329.3, 334.3, 341.3, 418.3, 419.3, 439.3.  We also recommend that students take INDG 107.3.  

Students are allowed to take up to 42 credit units in Sociology in the BA 3-year program.  

For more information on the College of Arts & Science requirements, course information, or other related matters please see the current Course and Program Catalogue.

Careers in the Field of Criminal Justice

Graduates of the program may apply for employment in the following areas of the justice system:

Parole / Probation Officer, Corrections Officer, Youth Outreach Worker, Criminal Investigator, Courtworker, staff at Healing Lodges, Police Officer.

Students have opportunities to learn about addictions, colonization and racism, Indigenous and treaty rights, successful programs and services for Indigenous peoples, conflict management and mediation as well as the structure of the Canadian criminal justice system. Students completing the IJC program are not limited to careers in the criminal justice system, with many of our graduates holding management jobs or positions that deal with the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Minor

While criminology focuses on understanding the origins of crime, both at the individual and social level, justice studies go beyond and focus on how the law comes to be applied to individuals and groups on the bases of social characteristics. The general field of justice studies, then, tries to understand how some people gain advantage through the justice system and how some suffer substantial disadvantage, not necessarily on the basis of their criminality but on the basis of social categories and social definitions.

You will examine human behavior and why people interact the way they do. You will focus on current social issues and the evolutionary changes of societies as you explore criminology and legal studies, race and ethnic relations, medical sociology, labour and education, agriculture and development, women's and gender studies, mass media and communications, and religion.You will also have the opportunity to develop skills related to research methods, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

• 100 Level Classes
• 200 Level Classes
• 300 Level Classes
• 400 Level Classes