Graduate
Master of Arts in Sociology
As the first way station in a student’s graduate career, in pursuit of the Ph.D., the Department of Sociology offers a general M.A. in sociology. The program provides students with a basis in theory, methods, statistics and substantive areas. Through the thesis requirement, the program affords students an independent research experience. An M.A. degree prepares students for Ph.D. education, career opportunities in community college teaching, or a variety of research positions within the discipline.
Requirements for the Master's Degree
Although a Bachelor of Arts (e.g., B.A.) degree with an undergraduate major in Sociology is desirable, this major is not required for admission to the Master's program. However, students accepted to the M.A. program are expected to have completed course work in methods, statistics, and sociological theory. Students without prior work in these areas may be admitted with the provision that remedial course work be completed.
| Core Requirements | ||
| SOC 601 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 credits |
| SOC 602 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 credits |
| SOC 604 | Proseminar in Sociology | 1 credit |
| SOC 610 | Research Methods | 3 credits |
| SOC 611 | Statistics I | 3 credits |
| ONE OF THE FOLLOWING | ||
| SOC 615 | Class Structure and Social Stratification | |
| SOC 616 | Social Psychology: Sociological Perspectives | 3 credits |
| SOC 617 | Social Organization | |
| Three additional courses at the 500 or 600 level of which two must be in sociology. One course in another department may be selected by students in conjunction with their advisor and with approval from the Graduate Committee. |
9 credits | |
| Thesis Work (SOC 710) |
6 credits | |
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 31 credits | |
Number of Credit Hours
The candidate must earn at least 31 hours of graduate credit at the 500 level or above, of which 28 credit hours must be in Sociology. Six (6) credit hours are counted toward thesis work (SOC 710). No more than 6 credit hours of "independent study" (SOC 690) can be applied toward meeting degree requirements without the prior permission of the Graduate Committee . Three hours of course work in another related discipline may be counted toward the M.A. degree; these course selections must have prior approval of the Graduate Committee . All students must be in residence for at least one year. Please note that because full-time enrollment (9 credit hours per semester) is required of students receiving financial aid, funded students will take more than the minimum number of courses.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is normally not granted. However, with the approval of the Graduate Committee, credit for up to 6 hours for prior work from an acceptable graduate institution may be transferred.
Thesis
The student's Advisor, in consultation with the student, will select two other faculty members to serve on his/her Thesis committee. The Chair of the Thesis Committee, usually the Major Advisor, and one other committee member will come from the Sociology faculty; the other member will be selected from outside the Department. Candidates must present to their Thesis Committee a written proposal which provides a complete description of the proposed research project, including the rationale, the conceptualization and definition of the problem, and the research design and methods of analysis. Once the proposal has been accepted by the Thesis Committee-after a formal defense normally scheduled during the third semester of M.A. study or earlier-the student may begin the project. The completed thesis must be submitted and defended successfully in accor dan ce with the guidelines of the Graduate School and the standards of the Department of Sociology.
Other Requirements
All students must complete a University seminar on research ethics and IRB certification (the CITI on-line course at the time of this writing). Further requirements stated in sections of the Graduate Bulletin that specify "Requirements for the Master's Degree" and "General Information" must also be met.
