Sociology - M.A.

Applications are due by January 15.  

This degree program provides advanced training for those preparing for teaching, research or applied careers in sociology, and may be taken either as a terminal program or as a step toward eventual fulfillment of requirements for the doctorate. The areas of focus are demography, family and health. A detailed description of the research areas is available through a link on the departmental home page.

Admission: Admission to the program is determined by the following criteria: (1) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and writing), (2) three letters of appraisal from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background, (3) a Curriculum Vitae, (4) valid transcripts of the student’s academic record, and (5) a writing sample and a statement of purpose. The application deadline is January 15.  View more details on admission materials. 

Program of study: A master's degree in sociology requires the successful completion of a minimum of 32 semester hours, including a ten-hour core curriculum that includes three hours of sociological theory (SOC 585), three hours of research methods (SOC 500), three hours of statistics (SOC 505), and one hour of Sociology as a Profession (SOC 503), with the balance to be drawn from substantive courses and six hours earned through the master's thesis (SOC 599).

Foreign language requirements: None.

Thesis requirements: A thesis is required.

Final examination: A final oral examination in defense of the thesis is required. This oral examination also tests the student’s comprehension of the area of sociology exemplified by the thesis.