BA Sociology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The undergraduate major in sociology at UNC–Chapel Hill provides students with theoretical and methodological tools, and substantive insights for understanding human social life and institutions. The major is designed to offer its students training in critical thinking, analytical problem solving, reasoned judgment, and effective communication as well as broad knowledge of human relations and social systems, providing useful tools for a variety of careers. The curriculum and requirements are flexible enough to permit students to tailor their program to fit individual needs and interests.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Sociology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Required courses include SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology (with a grade of C or better); SOCI 250 Sociological Theory; SOCI 251 Research Methods; SOCI 252 Data Analysis (taken during the junior year; SOCI 290 Special Topics in Sociology; SOCI 396 Independent Study and Reading.

Career pathways

The major is designed to offer its students training in critical thinking, analytical problem solving, reasoned judgment, and effective communication as well as broad knowledge of human relations and social systems, providing useful tools for a variety of careers. Students who are not contacted, especially double majors, transfer students, and students who declare their major in sociology relatively late in their college careers, are encouraged to speak with their major advisor or the department’s honors advisor no later than the preregistration period during the second semester of their junior year.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level admission applies (not programme-specific): apply through UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Admissions; international applicants submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) unless they qualify for the waiver, and transcripts translated into English.

Domestic applicants: USD 7,230 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 in-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (NC resident rate, $3,615 per semester on the University Source

International applicants: USD 47,472 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 out-of-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (non-resident rate, $23,736 per semester on the Univ Source

First-year applicants apply for fall enrollment (fall 2027 entry); transfer applicants apply through the Common Application with decisions by April 30.

First-year Early Action (non-binding): application deadline October 15, decision by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all other applicants. Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, decision by March 31. Enrollment confirmation deadline for both is May 1. Apply through the Common Application. The non-refundable application fee is $85, with a fee waiver available. SAT or ACT scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; students below 2.8 must submit an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher.

Transfer applicants: application and fee or waiver due February 15; supporting materials and residency due March 15; decisions by April 30; enrollment confirmation by May 15. Apply through the Common Application; the non-refundable application fee is $85.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.unc.edu/

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