4+1 Sociology BA to MA

Introduction

The Combined BA/MA (4+1) 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. The BA/MA application process is competitive, as the program is designed for highly-qualified students who are capable of an expedited 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.

Program Delivery

This is an on-campus program.

Declaring This Major

Consult your advisor about declaring this major

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the three areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

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Program Requirements

Tier 1 Knowledge

Take all of the following required undergraduate courses:
SOCY 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
SOCY 2001 - Inequalities in Social World
SOCY 3115 - Quantitative Methods & Analysis
SOCY 3119 - Qualitative Methods
SOCY 3140 - Sociological Theory
Take all of the following required graduate courses:

SOCY 5000 must be the first graduate course taken (may be taken concurrently with other graduate courses); SOCY 5024 must be taken before SOCY 5183 and SOCY 5193. Students must earn a B or better in all graduate core courses.
SOCY 5000 - Professional Seminar: Sociological Inquiry
SOCY 5016 - Social Theory
SOCY 5024 - Seminar: Research Methods I
SOCY 5183 - Seminar: Quantitative Data Analysis
SOCY 5193 - Seminar: Qualitative Data Analysis
Tier 2 Knowledge Applied to Substantive Areas

Five elective courses, one of which may be taken at the undergraduate level. Graduate credit requirements are fulfilled only for those courses earning a minimum grade of B-.

Tier 3 Comprehensive Paper

Take one of the following Comprehensive Paper options:
SOCY 5955 - Master’s Thesis or
SOCY 5939 - Internship or
SOCY 5840 - Independent Study: SOCY
and
SOCY 5964 - Master’s Report
Plans of Study

THESIS OPTION REQUIREMENTS

Core course requirements                       15 Credits

Four substantive area courses                12 Credits

Master’s Thesis                                     6 Credits
- SOCY 5955 - Master’s Thesis
BA/MA Thesis Option Total: 53 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
BA/MA Applied Experience + Paper Option Total: 53 Credits

Substantive Area Requirements (12 credits for both options)

Students can take an unlimited number of sociology graduate (5000-level) seminars to fulfill their 15 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.