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?

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.

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 Aboriginal 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.

To apply to the IJC program you may download the application (The application is no longer available. Please check back in 2026).

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 105.3 and 106.3.  

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.

What is CCAP?

The Certificate in Criminology & Addictions Program (CCAP) has been designed to offer students an innovative program that will allow them to explore greater opportunities in corrections, public safety, policing, court services, advocacy, addictions services, and other areas in the criminal or social justice system, as well as a foundation for further academic study or research.

CCAP can accommodate 12 new students each year. New students are encouraged to take the two SOC 100-level courses (SOC 111.3 & SOC 112.3) during the summer prior to their first full year of study to help lighten the regular session load, and to give them an orientation to university life.

Graduates of the program may apply for employment in corrections, public safety, policing, court services, advocacy, addictions services, and other areas in the criminal or social justice system, as well as a foundation for further academic study or research. Graduates may use this program as a step towards an undergraduate degree in Sociology, Psychology, Indidgenous Studies or a related discipline. All of the courses may also be used to meet the requirements towards B.A. 3-year degree, B.A. 4 year degree, or B.A. 4-year Honours degree.

Why CCAP?

There are currently no programs offered at the University of Saskatchewan or in the province of Saskatchewan that focus on criminology and addictions. A survey of 45 Canadian Universities also suggests the absence of programming that combines these two areas of study. Independently each field has achieved popularity nationally; degree programs in criminology are available across Canada and addictions training programs are numerous at provincial and national levels. The certificate format also distinguishes the program from degree programs allowing for improved public access to university education.

What also makes this program a unique 6-week practicum course (SOC 326.6) usually taken after the completion of the students’ courses. This 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 community programs, restorative justice and social justice initiatives, non-profit advocacy groups to penal institutions. The practicum aspect of the program, combined with its academic focus, provides a sound foundation for students planning a career in the justice field.

How do I Apply?

First, apply to the College of Arts and Science. After you have been admitted you can apply to the CCAP. Students are not usually accepted into the CCAP until they have completed their first year of universities studies.

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

To apply to the CCAP download the application (The application is no longer available. Please check back in Summer 2025).

Program Requirements

**It is important to note that completing required courses, with the exception of SOC 326.6, prior to applying for CCAP does not guarantee acceptance into the program. 

Required courses: INDG 107.3, SOC 111.3, SOC 112.3, SOC 212.3, SOC 232.3, SOC 326.6, SOC 347.3.

Choose 3 credits from: INDG 273.3, SOC 219.3, SOC 311.3, SOC 312.3, SOC 329.3

Choose 3 credits from: PHIL 115.3, PSY 120.3, PSY 121.3, PSY 230.3, PSY 231.3, PSY 242.3, PSY 261.3, PSY 380.3, PSY 480.3, SOC 203.3, SOC 214.3, SOC 219.3, SOC 234.3, SOC 311.3, SOC 312.3, SOC 319.3, SOC 329.3, SOC 341.3, INDG 220.3, INDG 255.3, INDG 261.3, INDG 273.3, INDG 373.3, ANTH 403.3.

To learn more about CCAP, click here. 

Careers in the Field

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, court worker, staff at healing lodges, police officer

Students completing CCAP are not limited to careers in the criminal justice system. Many of our graduates hold management jobs or positions that deal with social justice.

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