Skills you get after MA in Sociology

We live in a society where we are required to interact with a variety of individuals and behaviors on an everyday basis. These interactions can become much simpler and more useful if we can understand the varied behavior patterns of different individuals and also learn how to deal with them with more maturity. This is what an MA in Sociology can help you with – provide deeper insights into social relationships and behaviors, offering a new way to look at social situations and deal with them effectively. You can now choose to pursue this degree online from the comfort of your home. This blog details the essential skills acquired from an online MA in Sociology and why you should do this course online from Sikkim Manipal University.

What is an MA in Sociology?

Before going deeper into the course and its details, let us first understand what exactly an MA in Sociology degree is.  

MA, or Master of Arts in Sociology, is a postgraduate course offered to students who have completed their Bachelor or undergraduate studies in the subject or any other relevant area of study. Sociology is a specific branch of behavioral science that studies human interactions and behavioral patterns in a society. It also focuses on how this knowledge can be used to build harmonious relationships between individuals and larger groups or organizations. There are several key competencies gained through an online Sociology MA degree, which we will look at in the next section.

Skills you will learn with an MA in Sociology

Let us now get a fair understanding of why you should pursue an MA in Sociology and the skills or practical abilities that you can gain from an online MA in Sociology. Several students take up this program online for the following key benefits that they derive from the course:

• Critical thinking: Sociology deals with the study of relationships in a societal setting. Students are encouraged to think critically and analyze the finer aspects of society and the people who live in it, to maintain social harmony and peace. 

• Research and analysis: To derive any conclusions about human behavior and interactions, you need reliable data to support your assumptions on specific behavioral patterns. This data can then help you analyze these patterns and how they can impact society at large, besides helping you decide rationally for the larger benefit of all.

• Problem-solving: The Sociology MA skill set developed in online programs enables students to solve crucial societal problems such as poverty, population, crime, and racial conflicts.

• Interpersonal skills: MA in Sociology prepares students to interact in small groups with fellow students from different cultural backgrounds. This helps improve their interpersonal skills, enabling them to better interact with groups outside their study settings.

• Communication skills: Communication is an integral part of all social interactions, and online MA in Sociology courses help build this key skill in students. The latter are required to communicate well during their research and interview process with humans to understand their behavior patterns better. Better oral communication skills help them perform their tasks more effectively.   

Scope of MA in Sociology

An online MA in Sociology and its skill-building outcomes enable students who complete the course to choose from a wide range of career prospects. Listed below are some of the most promising career pathways that you can opt for after graduating with an online degree in MA Sociology:

• Social Service for the government, NGOs, community groups, charitable institutions, etc.
• Education Sector, including guidance and counseling of students in primary and secondary educational institutions
• Child Development and Family Welfare as counselors or therapists for marriage, child counseling, child protection services, etc.
• Community Development projects such as unemployment, scarcity of natural resources, or inequitable distribution of resources

These are just some of the areas where the skills gained from online MA Sociology programs can be useful. There are many other walks of life where you can apply practical skills gained from the course. A few examples include Healthcare, Life Coaching, Consultancies, and more. 

Top careers after MA in Sociology

The above section provides a fair idea of where your skills as a Sociology student can be used for a rewarding and promising career upon graduation. Here, we list out some of the key roles and responsibilities that you can assume after completing your online degree in MA Sociology. The table below enlists these roles as well as the corresponding salaries that can be drawn for each of the roles defined:

Why pursue an online MA in Sociology?

We already covered in this blog the multiple skills that you can earn from an MA in Sociology course, as well as the vast career scope that it offers to students upon graduation. The degree is beneficial for students who wish to enhance their understanding of deeper social issues and the impact they have on our society. The course enables the students to learn the essential tools and skills that can further improve social relationships among individuals and groups, thereby contributing to positive social harmony. 

Pursuing an MA in Sociology online is equally beneficial to students. Listed below are some of the key advantages of studying the course online:

• Flexibility: It provides immense flexibility to the student. They can choose the length of the program and also pursue it at their own pace from the convenience of sitting at home. 
• Interactive learning: Along with live learning from expert and experienced faculty, online MA Sociology courses also provide students with the opportunity to engage in live Q&A sessions with the teachers for a more interactive educational experience. 
• Equally valuable: Online degrees hold just as much value and eminence in the relevant industry as a degree pursued offline from a physical study institution. Online degree programs are equally considered during job interviews by top recruiters, allowing the students to freely apply as they choose.

The Online Manipal platform offers a variety of other courses online that you can pursue as per your interests and career goals. A few examples include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Arts in English (MA-English), and more. 

Why choose Sikkim Manipal University?

If you’re looking to pursue an MA in Sociology online from a credible and trusted study platform, Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) can be one of your best choices to make in this regard. All of SMU’s courses offered are sanctioned by the UGC and accepted by corporate bodies, the government, and other higher universities. In addition, SMU is NAAC accredited as well, which makes the programs even more valuable to the students applying for MA Sociology and other courses. 

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) offers a wide range of choices in degrees to students besides BA and MA courses. The university is also one of the proud rankers among the top 101-150 universities in India in 2023 (National Institutional Ranking Framework). Furthermore, SMU offers scholarship opportunities to students opting for online courses with the university. An exclusive opportunity to gain all the required knowledge and skills for your MA Sociology program in a fully online learning experience!

Conclusion

An MA in Sociology course can be your gateway to entering a large arena of high-paying career roles in varied industries, such as the ones detailed in this blog. Most importantly, the course equips you with numerous vital skills that can play an important part in shaping your future. The biggest advantage – the entire course can be completed online via the Online Manipal platform, and you receive a prestigious degree from the Sikkim Manipal University (SMU).