General specialisation overview: what is an Online MA in Sociology?
Online MA in Sociology is the Sociology elective track of the Master of Arts, delivered fully online by UGC-entitled universities. Sociology is the systematic study of society — how institutions, inequality, culture and social movements shape behaviour, and how that can be measured rather than assumed.
You study classical and modern sociological theory, social research methodology and statistics, Indian society and social change, gender, urban and rural sociology, and social policy, closing with a dissertation or field study.
Across the 2 universities in our dataset that run this track, the programme takes 2 years and costs ₹60,000 in total. Your degree certificate reads MA — the specialisation appears through your elective papers and project, exactly as it does on campus.
Highlights of Online MA in Sociology 2026
| Programme | Online MA in Sociology |
|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate degree |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Mode | Online |
| Fee range | ₹60,000 |
| Universities offering it | 2 in our dataset |
| Approvals to check | UGC entitlement + UGC-DEB, NAAC grade, AICTE where applicable |
| Typical entry salary | ₹4 – ₹9 LPA (role dependent) |
General specialisation overview: scope of Online MA in Sociology
CSR budgets, impact-evaluation mandates and the growth of policy think tanks have created steady demand for people trained to design and interpret social research.
NGOs and development agencies, CSR teams, policy think tanks, market and social research firms, universities and government programmes. For an online learner the practical advantage is timing: you apply each module at work while you study, so by the time the MA is awarded you already have sociology work to talk about in interviews.
Social research
Survey design, fieldwork and qualitative analysis.
Development sector
Programme design, monitoring and evaluation in NGOs.
CSR & impact
Corporate social responsibility strategy and reporting.
Policy analysis
Evidence briefs and evaluation for think tanks.
Academia & teaching
NET/PhD pathway into college teaching.
Civil services preparation
Sociology as a strong optional and general-studies base.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility is set by each university, not by the specialisation. Confirm the exact percentage rule on the university's own admission page before you pay.
- 1
A bachelor's degree of at least three years from a UGC-recognised university.
- 2
Most universities ask for 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories) — always confirm on the university page.
- 3
No entrance exam at most online universities; a few run an internal aptitude test or interview.
- 4
Working professionals can apply without a break in employment — attendance is not physical.
- 5
Graduates from any stream are usually eligible, though a sociology background helps.
Admission process
- 1
Shortlist the university, not just the specialisation — Compare the 2 universities that run Sociology on approvals, fee and semester structure before you register.
- 2
Register on the online-learning portal — Create an account with your mobile number and email, then verify the OTP to open the application form.
- 3
Fill the application and pick the specialisation — Choose MA and then Sociology as the elective track — the choice is usually recorded at admission or by semester 2.
- 4
Upload documents — Degree certificate, consolidated marksheets, photo ID, passport photo and category certificate where applicable.
- 5
Pay the fee (full, semester or EMI) — Most universities allow semester-wise payment and no-cost EMI; keep the receipt and the fee-structure page.
- 6
Get the enrolment number and LMS access — Verification takes a few working days, after which recorded lectures, e-books and live-class links open up.
Why study Sociology in online mode?
Same degree, UGC-entitled
An online MA from a UGC-entitled university carries the same academic value as the on-campus degree.
Earn while you learn
Recorded lectures and weekend live classes mean you never have to resign to upskill.
Lower total cost
₹60,000 covers the whole programme — no relocation, hostel or commute spend.
Specialisation depth from semester 2
Core management or subject papers come first, then Sociology electives, projects and a capstone.
Portfolio you can show
Case work, live projects and the capstone become interview evidence, which matters more than the mode of study.
Placement support included
Most universities give resume reviews, mock interviews and access to a recruiter portal — assistance, not a guarantee.
General specialisation overview: indicative syllabus of Online MA in Sociology
Indicative structure compiled from the papers universities publish for this track. The exact paper list and credits are decided by your university.
Semester 1
- Classical Sociological Theory
- Foundations of Sociology
- Social Research Methodology
- Indian Society: Structure & Change
Semester 2
- Modern Sociological Theory
- Sociology of Development
- Statistics for Social Research
- Social Stratification
Semester 3
- Political Sociology
- Social Movements in India
- Gender & Society
- Sociology of Religion
Semester 4
- Urban & Rural Sociology
- Sociology of Environment
- Social Policy & Welfare
- Dissertation / Project Work
University-specific data: colleges offering Online MA in Sociology
| # | University | Total fee | Duration | Approvals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttaranchal University OnlineDehradun, Uttarakhand | Not specified | 2 years | UGC-DEB · NAAC NAAC A+ accredited | View |
| 2 | Parul University OnlineVadodara, Gujarat | ₹60,000 | 2 years | UGC-DEB · NAAC NAAC A++ (youngest private university in India to receive A++ in the first cycle) | View |
| University | Total fee | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Uttaranchal UniversityDehradun, Uttarakhand | Not specified | 2 years |
| Parul UniversityVadodara, Gujarat | ₹60,000 | 2 years |
Career prospects & indicative salary range 2026
Salary bands are indicative ranges for Indian hiring, not university placement promises. Your package depends on prior experience, city and interview performance.
| Job role | Indicative annual salary range | What the role does |
|---|---|---|
| Social Research Analyst | ₹4 – ₹8 LPA | Designs and analyses surveys and field studies. |
| Programme Coordinator (NGO) | ₹3.5 – ₹7 LPA | Runs field programmes, budgets and reporting. |
| Policy Research Associate | ₹5 – ₹9 LPA | Evidence review and briefs for think tanks. |
| CSR Executive | ₹4 – ₹9 LPA | Manages corporate social programmes and impact reporting. |
| Monitoring & Evaluation Officer | ₹5 – ₹10 LPA | Tracks outcomes against programme indicators. |
| Lecturer (after NET/PhD) | ₹5 – ₹11 LPA | Teaching and research in colleges. |
Social Research Analyst
4 – 8 LPADesigns and analyses surveys and field studies.
Programme Coordinator (NGO)
3.5 – 7 LPARuns field programmes, budgets and reporting.
Policy Research Associate
5 – 9 LPAEvidence review and briefs for think tanks.
CSR Executive
4 – 9 LPAManages corporate social programmes and impact reporting.
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
5 – 10 LPATracks outcomes against programme indicators.
Lecturer (after NET/PhD)
5 – 11 LPATeaching and research in colleges.
Top recruiters
- NGOs
- Think tanks
- CSR foundations
- Research agencies
- Government programmes
- Universities
Industries hiring
- Development sector
- Public policy
- Research
- Education
- CSR
- Media
University-specific data: fees published by each university
| University | Duration | Total fee |
|---|---|---|
| Uttaranchal University | 2 years | Not specified |
| Parul University | 2 years | ₹60,000 |
Specialisation choice rarely changes the Online MA fee — the figures above are the programme fees published by each university.
Online MA in Sociology FAQs
Yes, when the university is UGC-entitled for online programmes and listed on UGC-DEB. The degree does not say "online" differently in terms of validity — it is treated at par with the on-campus MA.
₹60,000 for the full programme across the 2 universities we track. Semester-wise payment and EMI options are common.
No. Universities price the MA as one programme; the Sociology choice changes your electives, not the fee.
Some universities let you change the elective track before semester 2 closes. Ask the admission counsellor in writing — it is not guaranteed everywhere.
Universities offer placement assistance: resume help, mock interviews and recruiter portals. That is different from guaranteed placement, so ask what exactly is included for online learners.
More on the Online MA
Each section below is a full page of its own — open the one you need.
Other MA specialisations
- MA in English6 universities
- MA in Economics4 universities
- MA in Political Science4 universities
- MA in Journalism & Mass Communication1 universities
- MA in Psychology1 universities
- MA in Mass Communication1 universities
- MA in Marathi1 universities
- MA in Hindi1 universities
- MA in History1 universities
- MA in Education1 universities
- MA in Public Administration1 universities
Not sure which Online MA to pick?
Compare the universities above on fee, entitlement status and specialisation, or talk to a counsellor who will walk you through the shortlist. No cost, no obligation.
