Coursework and Degree Requirements
for the Master of Arts in Sociology

Degree Requirements

• 36 hours of approved graduate work, including the research requirement
• Tool of research: STAT-514 Statistical Methods, or another approved graduate-level statistics or specialized methods course
• One written comprehensive examination covering sociological theory and methods of social research

The exam is taken after completion of two theory courses and two research method courses. Full-time students must take the exam before beginning their second year in the program. Students who have taken prior relevant course work in sociology may opt to take the exam before taking the required courses. After taking the related courses, a maximum of two attempts of the exam are permitted

Research Requirement

• SOCY-797 Master's Thesis Independent Study (1-6 credit hours). The thesis offers students the opportunity to specialize as well as further develop research skills. Students choose the subject of the thesis in consultation with their advisor.
  or
  SOCY-795 Master's Research: Independent Study (3). Completion of a substantial research report related to the student's field of concentration under the guidance of a professor of the student's choice.
  
• Advanced course in research methods, an advanced seminar in the student's field of concentration, or an independent study course in the field of concentration (3).



• All course work taken for the research requirement must be taken with grades of B or better.

Course Requirements:

• SOCY-610 History of Sociological Theory (3)
• SOCY-611 Modern Sociological Theory (3)
• SOCY-620 Social Research I (3)
• SOCY-621 Social Research II (3)
• STAT-514 Statistical Methods (3)
• SOCY-795 Master's Research: Independent Study (3)
  or
  SOCY-797 Master's Thesis Independent Study (1-6)
• 9-12 credit hours from one of the following concentrations, chosen in consultation with the student's advisor. Lists of approved courses for concentrations are available from the Sociology Department:
  1. Race, Gender, and Social Justice
  2. Global Sociology
  3. Social Inequality
  4. Gender and Family
  5. Applied/Professional Sociology
• 6-9 credit hours in approved elective courses or a second concentration, which may include a 3-credit internship