MA/MS Sociology, Program Information

Program Faculty

Stella Hargett, Ph.D.

Chairperson and Graduate Coordinator, Sociology

Program Objective

The Masters of Arts/Science degree program in Sociology is designed to provide options for persons seeking competencies in Sociology, which can be readily applied to their work situations, as well as for persons wishing to follow an academic track, which offers rigorous training in research as preparation for teaching and/or the pursuit of doctoral studies.

Admission

For unconditional admission, in addition to earning a minimum cumulative undergraduate academic average of 3.0, applicants must also have earned 3 credits in statistics and 9 credits in sociology and a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in the major.

For conditional admission, in addition to earning a minimum cumulative undergraduate academic GPA of at least 2.50, preference is shown for applicants who have earned at least 3 credits in sociological theory, 3 credits in social research methods, 3 credits in statistics, and 6 other credits in sociology and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 in the major area. Students admitted conditionally must successfully complete the core courses, excluding Thesis Seminar, within the first 18 hours of study.

General Requirements

Candidates for the M.A. degree must earn a minimum of 31-credit hours and submit an approved thesis.
Candidates for the M.S. degree must earn a minimum of 34-credit hours and pass a written comprehensive examination.*

* Note: The written comprehensive examination cannot be taken until the following core courses have been completed: SOCI 510, SOCI 511, SOCI 520, and SOCI 521.)

Program Course Requirements

MA/MS Sociology (31/34 credits)

Master of Arts in Sociology (31 credits)

A. Core Courses: 16 Credit Hours:

SOCI 500: Proseminar in Sociology 1

SOCI 510: Social Statistics 3

SOCI 511: Classical Sociological Theory 3

SOCI 520: Techniques of Social Research 3

SOCI 521: Contemporary Sociological Theory 3

SOCI 797/799: Thesis Guidance / Thesis Defense 3/9*

* NOTE: Upon achieving Master’s Candidacy, the student will continuously register in Fall and Spring terms for SOCI 797 (Thesis Guidance) until the Master’s Thesis is completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for review. The course is used only when the curriculum is near completion, and the student is completing the research and writing of the thesis. The course registration maintains the student status as a matriculated, full-time student (student is registered for 3 credit hours and the system reports a full-time 9 credit hour load). After the Intent to Defend the Master’s Thesis form has been accepted by the School of Graduate Studies, this course registration will be changed to SOCI 799 (Thesis Defense) for the given semester and count for 3 credit hours of curricular coursework (SOCI 799 will also count for 9 credit hours of load). Other courses cannot be substituted for SOCI 797 (Thesis Guidance). The only eligible grade for SOCI 797 (Thesis Guidance) is the grade of “S” and the only acceptable grade for SOCI 799 (Thesis Defense) is “P/F” (Pass/Fail).

B. Electives: 15 Credit Hours:

All electives must have the Discipline Code of SOCI XXX in order to qualify as an elective. Course work outside of the Department may only be taken with Departmental approval and must supplement and support the program so as to constitute a unified program of study.

Master of Science in Sociology (34 credits)