Sociology MA

► Graduate School Policies and Procedures apply to this program

Program Requirements

The MA program in Sociology provides a coherent, progressive educational experience that prepares students for either immediate entry to a master’s level career or continued study in a PhD program. Students choose from two options for their Comprehensive Paper that completes the master’s degree: either a 6-credit thesis, or a 3-credit applied experience plus a 3-credit paper. The program also offers 3 concentration areas (Crime, Law & Deviance; Health & Society; Family, Social Services & Community) for students seeking specialization in high-demand career areas.

Required Courses

Tier 1 Knowledge

This includes 5 courses required for all graduate students. SOCY 5000 must be taken in the first fall semester. SOCY 5024 must be taken before SOCY 5183 and SOCY 5193. Students must earn a B or better in all core courses.

SOCY 5000 - Professional Seminar: Sociological Inquiry (3 credits)
SOCY 5016 - Social Theory (3 credits)
SOCY 5024 - Seminar: Research Methods I (3 credits)
SOCY 5183 - Seminar: Quantitative Data Analysis (3 credits)
SOCY 5193 - Seminar: Qualitative Data Analysis (3 credits)

Tier 1 total: 15 Credits

Tier 2 Knowledge Applied to Substantive Areas

12 elective credits (students choosing a concentration must apply 9 of these credits to that area). Credit requirements are fulfilled only for those courses earning a minimum grade of B-.

Tier 2 total: 12 Credits

Tier 3 Comprehensive Paper

Tier 3 total: 6 Credits

Plans of Study

Students must choose one of the following Comprehensive Paper options:

Thesis Option Requirements

Core course requirements 15 Credits

Four substantive area courses 12 Credits

Master’s Thesis 6 Credits

SOCY 5955 - Master’s Thesis

Thesis Option Total: 33 Credits

Applied Experience + Paper Option Requirements

Core course requirements 15 Credits

Four substantive area courses 12 Credits

Applied Experience (internship or independent study) 3 Credits

Master’s Paper 3 Credits

Applied Experience + Paper Option Total: 33 Credits

Substantive Area Requirements (12 credits for both options)

Students can take an unlimited number of sociology graduate (5000-level) seminars to fulfill their 12 elective credits requirement, or a combination of the following:

Independent study: maximum 6 semester hours
Graduate level courses in other departments: maximum 6 semester hours
Internship: maximum 3 semester hours

Students pursuing one of the concentration areas should work closely with the Graduate Program Director or their Culminating Paper Advisor to verify that 9 credits of selected courses qualify for the chosen concentration area.

For further information about the Department of Sociology or the MA program, visit the Sociology website.