DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
The Department of Sociology is committed to high quality instruction and research in sociology. Students who enter the graduate program will receive advanced and updated instruction in quantitative and qualitative techniques of sociological research, social statistics, classical and contemporary sociological theory, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the Department is to provide students with the advanced professional skills to analyze social issues in applied settings.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the graduate program in Sociology must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a Graduate Studies Application for Admission with the application fee to Graduate Studies.
- Submit official transcripts of all college-level work, including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred.
- Submit GRE scores.
- Submit three letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant’s suitability for graduate study.
- Non-Sociology majors/minors must complete the following undergraduate stem courses with a grade of B or better: SOC 366 Research Methods in Sociology; SOC 383 Social Statistics; SOC 386 Sociological Theory
A holistic review of each student’s application file will be completed on a competitive basis.
Degree Requirements
A student majoring in Sociology may choose from: Master of Arts, Plan I or Master of Arts, Plan II.
Master of Arts, Plan I. Plan I requires 30 hours of graduate credit, 24 of which must be in Sociology and must be in courses numbered 500 or above with the exception of SOC 698 and SOC 699. A thesis of 6 semester hours (SOC 698 and SOC 699) in Sociology is also required. This program is designed for students who wish to continue graduate education or whose professional interests require the enhancement of analytical skills.
Students majoring in Sociology who select the Master of Arts, Plan I are required to write a master’s thesis. The thesis is an original research work which is designed to demonstrate the candidate’s theoretical, methodological and substantive skills in the discipline.
Master of Arts, Plan II. Plan II requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit, 24 of which must be in Sociology and must be numbered 500 or above. This plan does not require a thesis and is designed for students who wish to concentrate on the development of their applied professional skills.
Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sociology must take the following core courses:
| Seminar in Sociological Theory (Credit 3) | |
| Seminar in Sociological Research (Credit 3) | |
| Social Statistics (Credit 3) |
Students must also take at least one among the remaining core courses:
| Applied Research Methods (Credit 3) | |
| Techniques of Research Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences (Credit 3) |
Students must also select at least one of the following specializations:
Specialization # 1 - Sociology of the Environment and Development Students must select two among the following courses: Seminar in Social Change and Development (SOC 589); Seminar in Environmental Sociology (SOC 564); Sociology of Community (SOC 576).
Specialization # 2 - Sociology of Inequality Students must select two among the following courses: Seminar in Social Inequality (SOC 582); Seminar in Social Change and Development (SOC 589); Seminar in Race and Ethnic Studies (SOC 565); Gender and Society (SOC 587).
Specialization # 3 - Sociology of Culture and Institutions Students must select two among the following courses: Sociology of Religion (SOC 574); Sociology of the Family (SOC 572); Sociology of Community (SOC 576); Gender and Society (SOC 587).
Courses listed under two different specializations may be simultaneously employed to satisfy the requirements of each of these specializations.
Comprehensive Examinations
After completing course work and before completing the master’s thesis, students are required to take their comprehensive examinations. Students must be enrolled in the University the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered. The comprehensive exams for the Master’s Degree in Sociology are divided into three parts.
The first exam consists of a written examination in theory and methods. This is a test of concepts in sociological theory and methodology. It is administered in an eight-hour session twice a year.
The second exam consists of a written examination in the specialty area(s) selected by the student. Students must select at least one of the specialties offered in the Sociology program. If the student elects to have more than one specialty area he/she will take one eight-hour exam for each of the selected specialties.
The third exam is an oral exam which is designed to address issues pertaining to sociological theory and method and the special area(s) selected by the student.
Exam Administration
The comprehensive exams will be written and administered by the Graduate Examination Committee. This is a committee which is appointed annually by the Department Chair and consists of four (4) members of the Graduate Faculty. The Committee’s duties involve: preparing and grading the written exams and administering the oral exams. The oral exams are open to the other faculty members who, however, do not vote on the performance of the student.