Sociology A.A.

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Explore the social institutions of society

Learn how the structure of society shapes our experiences.

Prepare for a rewarding career by majoring in Sociology, the study of human social institutions and group behavior. With this subject, you can better understand and appreciate all cultures, including your own. This knowledge readies you to create a flexible career path in many fields such as human services, education and law.

With this associate degree from College of Lake County, you’re ready to transfer to a 4-year school and confidently pursue your bachelor’s degree.

What can you do with an A.A. in Sociology?

The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in Sociology prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in Sociology or related fields, such as Human Services.

Highlights

Online Classes Available

Most classes can be completed online.
Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

Explore ways to pay for college (based on need/achievement).
Transfer Degree

Save money on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice.
Program Length: 2 Years

Finish in 2 years as a full-time student.

*Estimated cost is based on the minimum number of credit hours to complete the program. This estimate includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees for the 2026-2027 academic year, before financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about the Cost of Attendance.

Career Outlook

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $57,732
  
  Median
  
  $99,985
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $182,418
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $27.75
  
  Median
  
  $48.06
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $87.70
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  17.39%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  65.22%
  
  Doctorate
  
  17.39%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $53,694
  
  Median
  
  $85,833
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $137,973
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $25.81
  
  Median
  
  $41.26
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $66.33
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  14.07%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  70.2%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  15.73%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $39,490
  
  Median
  
  $80,736
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $149,708
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.98
  
  Median
  
  $38.81
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $71.97
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  10.18%
  
  Certificate
  
  0.46%
  
  Some college
  
  8.17%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  10.19%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  64.48%
  
  Doctorate
  
  6.52%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $68,120
  
  Median
  
  $108,469
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $160,877
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $32.75
  
  Median
  
  $52.15
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $77.34
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  9.52%
  
  Certificate
  
  4.76%
  
  Some college
  
  9.52%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  9.52%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  42.85%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  19.04%
  
  Doctorate
  
  4.76%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $35,623
  
  Median
  
  $63,915
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $94,962
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.12
  
  Median
  
  $30.73
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $45.65
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  8.61%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  54.32%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  36.7%
  
  Doctorate
  
  0.36%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $77,030
  
  Median
  
  $135,400
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $229,155
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37.03
  
  Median
  
  $65.09
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $110.17
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  10%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  30%
  
  Doctorate
  
  60%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $43,860
  
  Median
  
  $75,818
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $151,076
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.08
  
  Median
  
  $36.44
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $72.63
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Master's Degree
  
  23.32%
  
  Doctorate
  
  76.68%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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enroll in first-semester classes
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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more comprehensive list of course options and degree requirements, see the CLC college catalog.

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Learn how CLC helps you transfer

Explore transfer options

Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.

Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.

Sociology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This transfer degree is just one possible way to study Sociology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Sociology Program Overview

Apply now: It's easy and free

Complete the application form to begin your program.

After you apply, a Career and College Navigator (CCN) will reach out to answer your questions, guide your next steps and help you get enrolled. Explore steps to apply at CLC.

Apply to CLC

Frequently asked questions

Consider studying Sociology if you have a:
- curiosity for understanding people and human behavior
- passion for social activism
- desire to resolve social inequalities in order to create a more just world
- an interest in learning about cultural similarities and differences
Yes. You can choose to take classes online or in person. Either way, you participate in engaging lectures, small group work, classroom discussions and debates, and other interactive learning. You also read novels and original research studies, complete writing assignments and research papers, and work on various projects that nurture your creative side.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in-person with faculty and peers.
Yes. There’s a distinct advantage to earning your associate degree—a 30% advantage. The Brookings Institution reports that employees with associate degrees earn 30% more on average than those with high school diplomas. Over a lifetime, the earnings of an associate degree recipient are roughly $170,000 higher than those of a high school graduate.
Yes! Researchers have looked at how community college students fare after transferring. The biggest marker for success? Finishing your associate degree before transferring. In fact, those students seem to do better at the 4-year than students who started at the 4-year.

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Register for Summer and Fall 2026 classes

Explore the social institutions of society

Learn how the structure of society shapes our experiences.

What can you do with an A.A. in Sociology?

Highlights

Online Classes Available

Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

Transfer Degree

Program Length: 2 Years

Career Outlook

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Historians

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Labor Relations Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Social Science Research Assistants

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Sociologists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help getting started?

Recommended Pathway

Learn how CLC helps you transfer

Sociology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Apply now: It's easy and free

Frequently asked questions

Why should I study Sociology?

Can I take my classes online?

Is an A.A. worth it?

Does an A.A. matter if I’m going for my bachelor’s?

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

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