Online Graduate Sociology Certificate
Develop the Skills To Teach Sociology at the College Level
The Graduate Certificate of Completion in Sociology at Grand Canyon University prepares those passionate about education and sociology to teach at two- or four-year institutions. While this certificate can enhance your qualifications, many teaching positions require a master’s degree or doctorate. This certificate program is ideal for learners seeking continuing education to build upon their sociological knowledge and pedagogical skills, which can enable them to engage undergraduate students in the world of sociology.
At GCU, you can immerse yourself in global perspectives on social change, social justice and stratification, as well as classical and contemporary social theories that provide a framework of knowledge that you can pass down to your own students. This graduate sociology certificate will challenge you to reflect on tough social issues facing the world today, and you’ll explore how to facilitate scholarly discussions among your future students on cultural matters.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
The University will accept one course of the total certificate requirements in transfer.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
- Undergraduate Degree*
- 2.8+ GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- GMAT: 500
- GRE: 300 combined**
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Prepare To Inspire Students With a Graduate Certificate in Sociology
Earning your graduate certificate in sociology online at GCU means joining a university that combines academic excellence with a faith-integrated curriculum rooted in the Christian worldview. Our program uniquely incorporates Christian values, ethics and morality into the learning experience, encouraging future educators to teach sociological topics with integrity and a sense of social responsibility.
This graduate certificate program emphasizes servant leadership, focusing on humility, stewardship and the well-being of others, while helping learners develop into thoughtful leaders within complex social systems. Using a biblically grounded framework, students explore the relationship between leadership, service and ethics in sociology, gaining valuable insights into how ethical principles influence education and society.
Online Flexibility
Shorter Duration
Experienced Instructors
"Being able to serve others and being able to educate yourself in the sense that you’re able to serve others well… If you’re desiring to help people, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is for you."
"Being able to serve others and being able to educate yourself in the sense that you’re able to serve others well… If you’re desiring to help people, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is for you."
Core Courses for Graduate Certificate in Sociology Students
As a student in the certificate of sociology program, you will have an opportunity for advanced education in the fields of sociology and education. The coursework includes a look at social theories, global social stratification and sociocultural perspectives on the family. There is a focus on pedagogical theory and the development of sociological courses at the postsecondary level for future instructors.
Throughout this sociology certificate program, you will explore the following:
Social theories
Explore various social theories, including integrative, contemporary, globalization and modern theories.
Familial significance
Examine the cultural significance of family in aspects ranging from marriage to social class differences.
Global social order
Study global issues of inequality in terms of class, access to resources, gender, ethnicity, crime, politics and religion.
Societal change
Discover the evolution of social movements, their objectives and the quest for citizenship and social change.
Sociology education
Apply pedagogical analysis of sociology’s foundational competencies to prepare for teaching undergraduate students.
Build Your Career Path With a Certificate in Sociology
A graduate certificate in sociology online can prepare you to help future students investigate social life, social change and human behavior within societies. Education can be a rewarding field for those interested in sharing their knowledge and passion with others. Teachers instill sociological knowledge, helping students analyze and understand human society and behavior, as well as social organization and culture.
After completing this certificate program, you might look for work as a college instructor, faculty member or professor. Potential workplace settings include two- or four-year higher education institutions, colleges and universities and trade and technical schools.(See disclaimer 1)
Potential job opportunities include:
College Instructor
Develop an engaging sociology curriculum and deliver lectures that encourage students to dig deeper into topics.
Sociology Professor
Nurture an inquisitive academic culture in your department and teach the next generation of sociology professionals.
Median annual salary of all types of postsecondary teachers as of May 2024(See disclaimer 2)
New jobs estimated to open for all types of postsecondary teachers from 2024 through 2034(See disclaimer 3)
Earn Your Sociology Certificate From an Accredited University
Academic integrity and educational quality are important for graduate certificate learners. GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, which serves as an indicator of our commitment to providing quality programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
For those interested in advancing their teaching skills with a graduate certificate in sociology online, please read our responses to these frequently asked questions.
What is the main focus of a graduate sociology certificate program?
Is a graduate level certificate in sociology worth it?
Is sociology hard to study?
Is a graduate certificate considered a degree?
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Get started on your graduate certificate in sociology online at GCU to contribute to advancing health and wellness.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Postsecondary Teachers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 2025.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Postsecondary Teachers as of May 2024, retrieved November 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Postsecondary Teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers, retrieved November 2025.