Master of Arts in Sociology

Advisor:
Susan Caulfield,
Room 2509, Sangren Hall

Option I, Disciplinary Master’s

This option of the Master of Arts in Sociology is designed to give students an advanced understanding of the significant factors and processes of human society; to further the preparation of those planning to teach in secondary or higher education; to prepare students for doctoral study in sociology; and to provide professional training for a variety of occupational opportunities in government, industry, education, research organizations, social agencies, and correctional systems. Each student’s program is prepared individually in consultation with a graduate advisor.

Admission Requirements

Twenty-four semester hours in undergraduate social sciences, with at least fifteen semester hours in sociology, including courses in theory and research methods.
Grade-point average of 3.0 or better in undergraduate sociology courses.
If these requirements have not been met, the student may be required to complete additional course work as a condition of admission.
Applicants must supply a biographical statement, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources to the Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Sociology.

Option II, Applied Master’s

This applied option of the Master of Arts in Sociology is a 47-48 hour professional degree program designed to prepare students for non-academic careers in governmental agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, or (in special circumstances) for a doctoral program. Graduates will be well trained for such positions as data analysts, social systems and policy analysts, survey researchers, field directors, market researchers, and directors of research. This program will prepare graduates for the changing job market and the increased use of survey techniques and quantitative analysis to evaluate programs and shape decision-making in organizations.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for this program are the same as for Option I above.

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 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.

Option I, Disciplinary Master’s

Program Requirements

1. Complete at least thirty-six graduate credit hours

Selected in consultation with the student’s master’s committee. At least twenty 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.

SOC 6000 - Proseminar in Sociology Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 6020 - Classical Sociological Theory Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 6030 - Contemporary Theory: Culture, Social Action, and Society Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 6040 - Contemporary Theory: Agency, Interaction, and Structure Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 6060 - Research Design and Data Collection I Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 6070 - Logic and Analysis of Social Research I Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 6210 - Logic and Analysis of Social Research II Credits: 3 hrs.
SOC 7000 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 6 hrs.

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.

Option II, Applied Master’s

Program Requirements

1. Complete 46-48 graduate credit hours:

Twenty-one hours in disciplinary core courses, twelve hours of research methods and statistics, and an additional nine hours of elective disciplinary and research courses.

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

3. Complete an internship and internship report (internship essay) at the conclusion of the program.

A thesis option is possible, with the addition of one credit, under special circumstances. Consult the departmental master’s advisor for the exercise of this option.