Sociology

Chair: John H. Freed
Program Assistant: Rachel Watson
Office: Lawrence Street Center, Suite 420
Telephone: 303-315-2148
Fax: 303-315-2149
Website: clas.ucdenver.edu/sociology/

Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Program

Faculty

Professors:
Karl H. Flaming, PhD, Syracuse University
John H. Freed, PhD, Stanford University

Associate Professors:
Candan Duran-Aydintug, PhD, Washington State University

Assistant Professors:
Stacey Bosick, PhD, Harvard University
Paula Fomby, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Akihiko Hirose, PhD, University of California, Riverside
Patrick Krueger, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder

Senior Instructor:
Lucy Dwight, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University

Instructors:
Edward Casteel, MSW, University of Denver
Andrea Haar, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Pete Padilla, PhD, Arizona State University

Professor Emerita:
Sharon K. Araji, PhD, Washington State University

Associate Professors Emeritus:
Richard H. Anderson, PhD, University of Oregon
Jon Winterton, PhD, Michigan State University

Undergraduate

Sociology is the scientific study of groups, social process and behavior. The major in sociology is designed to familiarize the student with these areas through an understanding of theory, method and statistical procedures employed within them. Concentration is possible at the undergraduate level. However, the faculty believes the undergraduate should have a foundation in the basics of the discipline upon which to build a future specialization. Such specialization is more appropriate at the advanced levels.

Many career opportunities combine a foundation in sociology with business, computer science or community development. Opportunities within the field of sociology proper usually require graduate study. The major will prepare the student for such advanced work as well as for pursuit of career options with only the BA degree. For example, graduates with a sociology BA are employed in the human services field and with state and local government agencies.

The department has developed the following rationale for courses offered:

Lower-division courses (for majors and nonmajors)
1. 1000-level courses provide an introduction to the broad sociological perspective as it applies to social life, social systems and society.
2. 2000-level courses introduce the student to somewhat more specific content areas: population study, human ecology, social psychology, etc.
Upper-division courses (3000 and 4000)
1. 3000-level courses serve as advanced surveys of some specific area of concentration. They are designed to acquaint the student with the issues, methods, concepts and theoretical frameworks employed in the content area. Such courses as urban sociology, race and ethnicity, etc. are offered at this level. Many of these courses are open courses, in that students from other departments and colleges are encouraged to enroll in them.
2. 4000-level courses are devoted to a more detailed in-depth examination of specific issues, approaches and concepts within the previously identified content areas. These are advanced courses and are geared more directly to sociology and social science majors.
3. Undergraduate students can enroll in a course at the 4000/5000 level only if they are classified at junior or senior standing.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR

Departmental Honors

Students wishing to graduate with departmental honors in sociology (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and a 3.2 or higher in all sociology courses. Additional requirements are available in the sociology office. Qualified students are encouraged to apply for the honors program no later than the beginning of their senior year.

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Graduate

The MA degree in sociology focuses on social psychology, sociology of the family, criminology, medical sociology, urban sociology and applied sociology. The program’s urban emphasis complements professional degree programs in design and planning, medicine, nursing, community health, physical engineering, public and business administration, education and fine arts by providing advanced seminars and planning and research opportunities in theory and research.

Admission Requirements

Application to the MA program is open to all students holding a BA, BS or higher degree in any field. Students without prior training in sociology, but with otherwise exemplary records, may be admitted but may be required to make up undergraduate deficiencies without graduate credit in the areas of theory, methods and statistics.

Recommended Academic Standards

A combined GPA of at least 3.3 for all courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level prior to admission
A combined GPA of at least 3.5 for all sociology courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level prior to admission

Application Materials

Complete application form
Three letters of recommendation (at least two must be from academic/professional sources)
Two copies of official transcripts sent directly to the Department of Sociology from all schools where BA credit hours were taken
A statement of purpose and goal of graduate study
Writing sample
GRE score may be optionally submitted to aid application file
International Students: You must complete an International Student Application. Minimum TOEFL score of 525 required.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted for fall admission only. All application materials are due on February 15th.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MA IN SOCIOLOGY