Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2009-10 
    
Graduate Catalog 2009-10 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Sociology


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Advisor: Gregory Howard,
Room 2419, Sangren Hall

The principal aim of the master’s program in sociology is to develop an advanced understanding of the significant features and processes of human society through a focus on both research and teaching. The program prepares competent professionals for careers in research, education, government, and private enterprise. the department’s core program for study stresses both theory and method while elective credits and the these project develop substantial knowledge in an area of specialization.

Admission Requirements

  1. Twenty-four semester hours in undergraduate social sciences, with at least fifteen semester hours in sociology, including courses in theory and research methods (applicants without the requisite hours of undergraduate sociology course may be permitted to make up deficiencies as a condition of matriculation).
  2. Grade-point average of 3.0 or better in undergraduate sociology courses.
  3. Applicants must supply a biographical statement, sample pf academic writing, GRE scores, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended, TOEFL scores (international applicants only), and three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources to the Central Graduate Committee, Department of Sociology. Additional information and application forms may be obtained from the department.

Financial Assistance


A number of departmental, University, and governmental assistantships, fellowships, and associateships are available to qualified students. Educational opportunities and part-time employment may be available through the facilities of the Leonard C. Kercher Center for Social Research. Research through the Kercher Center includes studies of education, mental illness, marital roles, race relations, group dynamics, deviant behavior, comparative institutions, and numerous other topics. Graduate students frequently participate in these studies.

Additional information and application forms may be obtained from the department.

Program Requirements


1. Complete at least thirty-six graduate credit hours


Selected in consultation with the student’s master’s committee. At least twenty-four hours, including SOC 700 Master’s Thesis, must be in sociology; up to nine hours may be in an approved cognate area.

One additional research methods course in sociology, and SOC 7000 are required of all master’s students.

2. Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in all course work.


3. Complete an original thesis, using approved methods for investigation of a sociological topic.


Six hours of credit are given for the thesis.

4. Pass an oral examination on the thesis.


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