Comments from the Sociology Graduate Program Alumni

The graduate program at Western Kentucky University has helped me to establish a generous and caring network of friends and professors. The classes offered vary in subject, and the professors are always willing to support, encourage, and aid the students when necessary. As a graduate associate I was afforded the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses. This teaching experience fostered my public speaking abilities, which ultimately assisted me in defending my thesis. WKU's sociology graduate program is matchless for students who are interested in learning.
	Tara Beard Admissions Counselor Western Kentucky University
My decision to return to graduate school after receiving my B.A. was an easy one. In fact, I began entertaining thoughts of a master’s degree in sociology about a month before I graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Entering the work force only served to fuel my desire, but motherhood delayed my entering a program for a couple of years. My first and only choice for a master’s degree was Western Kentucky University. I admit that the primary reason I chose WKU was convenience, as I had begun to put down roots in Bowling Green and had no desire at the time to relocate, nor did I feel my husband and three young daughters would appreciate being uprooted. Just as strong a motivating factor was the faculty at Western who seem to go above and beyond in assisting students achieve their goals. The low student-professor ratio creates a learning environment that is not only friendly and supportive but enables a graduate student to get the most from her or his education by allowing the student the opportunity to work closely with the professors. I graduated from the program in December of 1999 and am currently working for the Urban League. However, once more I am seriously entertaining thoughts of furthering my education. This time I am able to be a little more "sophisticated" in evaluating programs and rather than judge a program by geographical location of the school and congeniality of the professors alone, I am looking at other factors, such as areas of specialization offered, placement of graduates, research being conducted by the professors, diversity among the academic programs of the college, and overall quality of the program, upon which to base my decision. Yet, I also find myself evaluating the education I received at Western based upon these standards. In other words, if I had to make the decision to receive a Master of Arts degree again, using the criteria I just mentioned, would I choose Western once more? Yes. No matter the long-term goals of a student, the graduate program in sociology at Western provides students with a solid foundation from which to move on. A student with a master’s degree in sociology from WKU has been exposed to a wide range of readings and perspectives and has had the opportunity to conduct social research. Graduate students also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience teaching their own classes while at Western. The professors, whose interests cover a wide range of topics, are actively engaged in research, and students are encouraged to conduct their own research and present their work at professional conferences (I was able to present work at two conferences while I attended WKU). An individual with a master’s degree in sociology from Western has the skills to succeed not only in the general workforce but in a doctoral program as well. I have listened to several of my colleagues, who have gone on to doctoral programs, tell how much better prepared they were than were their classmates for the course work. I, too, feel that the sociology program at Western has prepared me for doctoral work. In fact, I was recently told by a graduate advisor from another college that my thesis would have passed for a dissertation in her program. So, whatever the deciding factor will be in choosing a graduate program– geographical convenience, low professor-student ratio, active research, recognition of WKU by other professional sociologists, or broadening your opportunities– Western is worth serious consideration. Best of luck in your decision.
	Carey D. Brown Urban League Canton, Ohio
When I was completing my bachelor's degree in psychology, a professor from the Sociology Department reached out to me and asked me if I would consider pursuing a master's in sociology. I was impressed with his sincerity and by the fact that he seemed to genuinely care. That impression was constantly reinforced over time by his continued support and guidance in both the academic and personal areas of my life. Now that twenty years have passed, my decision to get my MA in Sociology at Western is one that I still feel is among the best I have ever made. Post graduate school I have been able to find the types of employment that I enjoy, and my education at Western prepared me to face what the real world had to offer. The knowledge and life experience that I gained as a graduate student in sociology at Western provided me with the foundation that I needed to grow and advance in my professional career. I appreciate every opportunity that was provided me by the Sociology Department and would never hesitate in recommending it to others.
	Tony Cecil Vice President Family and Children's Services of Ky. Presbyterian Child Welfare Agency
The graduate program in sociology provided ideal teaching experience for first-time instructors. It was a good synthesis of both guidance and freedom.
	Mike Collins Programmer, Metavante Corporation
My decision to return to college as a non-traditional student was made with both determination and apprehension. I selected Western Kentucky University as it was within driving distance and afforded me the opportunity to finish my undergraduate degree. I found my undergraduate experience to be very rewarding. Not only did I achieve my Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in both sociology and history, but I also was given the funded opportunity to pursue my Master of Arts Degree in Sociology. Western Kentucky University's master's program in sociology is a highly developed program that affords the student not only opportunities to expand study in several areas but also an environment in which students are nurtured to become professionals. This is extremely important. Whether one decides to seek employment after finishing a master's or decides to pursue higher levels of education in a doctoral program, training received in the sociology master's program will help ensure individual success. Professional tools built into the program, i.e., professional writing, teaching seminars, research methods, etc., help develop valued critical thinking skills, which benefit the student in a wide variety of occupations. Active research by the department's faculty also affords the student the opportunity to work more closely with faculty members and provides avenues to co-author articles for publication. Western Kentucky University's Department of Sociology provides an environment in which faculty make a concerted effort to ensure each student's success. In such an environment, I benefited from opportunities to interact with and learn from various faculty members. As such, this experience provided me not only a diverse background in teaching and research methods but also a support network that I have been able to effectively draw from on a number of occasions. Finally, the highly organized Department of Sociology at Western Kentucky University provides a sound, well rounded academic/social framework which has contributed to my ongoing success in the doctoral program of sociology at Southern Illinois University.
	David DuCoff Doctoral Student Southern Illinois University
Any effort to summarize and capture the contributions of a graduate program and its faculty to one's life history is ultimately bound to be incomplete and fail miserably, though the debt incurred by those contributions demands we try. The intellectual challenge and preparation offered by the graduate program was first-rate, though I did not honestly recognize and appreciate that until I entered a doctoral program and was tested and challenged further. Just as important as the intellectual preparation was the genuine encouragement and nurturing environment created and maintained by the faculty. That was instrumental in my continuing pursuit of graduate work and my life-long romance with the discipline. Finally, I must hold high the friendships that I made while in the program. Despite the fact that I completed my M.A. in 1975, the faculty have maintained contact, following my growth and still offering encouragement. On any given day I may not even know where I am, but I know I would not be here without my experience in the sociology program at Western.
	Gary S. Foster, Chair Department of Sociology & Anthropology Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL 61920
The graduate program in sociology is exceptional. It not only prepared me for a job I love as a research analyst but put me miles ahead of my classmates in my doctoral program, especially in the area of research methods and statistics. Unlike many of my classmates, I had a good idea of what would be required to conduct my own research and write my dissertation. I also learned the best practices for teaching sociology. The program taught me about how students learn and helped me find ways to present the material so it is easily understood by students.
	Tuesdi Helbig Research Analyst WKU Institutional Research
Before receiving a BA in Sociology from WKU, I had to decide about my next educational step. My application for graduate studies in sociology was then completed. This was done because I had an intense interest in the study of crime and law that had developed from several sociology courses. Also, I felt that this faculty gave significant attention to each student. Although my career interests shifted after receiving my MA degree in Sociology to the treatment of communication disorders, the information I received has provided me with an invaluable perspective on my work and life. I would encourage those seeking to gain knowledge in this area to greatly consider the offerings at WKU.
	Nicholas Hicks Speech Therapist Physiotherapy Department George Town Hospital Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI
I look back and reflect on my years in the WKU Sociology Department with great nostalgia. Those were some of the best days of my life. I had GREAT fun and learned a lot, too. Some of the ideas I still hold were the result of close association with Drs. Faine and Bohlander. I was Faine's TA for a couple of semesters. A lot of my cohort were drawn to Faine and Bohlander for various reasons; we learned a lot just sitting around in "bull" sessions. I find myself thinking of things, even now, "sociologically." Dr. Wozniak and Grimm were also mentors I remember fondly. I would encourage anyone thinking of a career in this area to take advantage of the small, intimate, and certainly knowledgeable staff at WKU to gain admission to "our" graduate program.
	Janet Schneider Family Services Office Supervisor Hart County (KY) Protection and Permanency Office
At the end of my undergraduate work I was fairly sure I wanted to pursue graduate work. What I found was that at the time I really didn't understand the effort that went into pursing advanced degrees. After visiting a well respected university I found myself intimidated by the atmosphere of elite higher education. What I found at Western's Sociology Department was assurance that I had access to all the professors and a belief that I could work on a graduate level with others there to support me. WKU enabled me to push myself to a level of graduate work that made me feel confident in my abilities. I also gained an invaluable experience by teaching sociology in my second year of graduate work. I was able not only to reach out to students but also to develop my professional self in a way not available at many larger institutions. The professors in the Sociology Department allowed me to really get a sense of what advanced study was all about while providing a secure environment with all the help I may have needed. I knew I would never be left to fend for myself at WKU.
	Stacey Sympson
After learning English as a second language, I went to the Department of Sociology at Western Kentucky University where I earned a Master of Arts in Sociology. At Western I was provided with innovative tools for scientific research and writing, and I strengthened my appreciation for critical thinking, research discipline, and persistence. After graduation I went on to doctoral work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I was appointed as a researcher at their Center for Urban Initiatives and Research, where I later became a research scientist and Geographic Information Systems Consultant. At UW-Milwaukee, I earned a Ph.D. in Urban Studies, and I am currently working at the United Nations Population Fund in the Republic of Panama. The Department of Sociology at Western Kentucky University provided me with a solid foundation for my subsequent success as a Ph.D. student and as a scientist and consultant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the United Nations, Panama. As a Fulbright scholar from the Republic of Panama, I hope other Fulbright Scholars and international students will have the privilege of receiving the quality of education I obtained from the Department of Sociology at Western Kentucky University.
	Olmedo Varela United Nations Population Fund - Panama
The Department of Sociology at Western Kentucky University did an exemplary job in preparing me for my doctoral studies. I do not think you will find a department that gives master's students a better background in the areas of teacher training, quantitative methods, and sociological theory than does Western Kentucky. Even though the stipends are horrible, the education you will receive at Western Kentucky is comparable to any first rate doctoral program. I, therefore, would recommend Western to anyone who is serious about pursuing an advanced degree in sociology.
	Harry Vogel Doctoral Student Kansas State University
My studies in the WKU Sociology graduate program laid the foundation for the rigors of my doctoral program at the University of Kentucky, and subsequently my career as a sociologist. Class sizes were small, interactive, and stimulating, and the faculty were always supportive and congenial. WKU also has strong history and political science programs that would afford opportunities for the transdisciplinary collaboration that is so necessary in today's competitive academic job market. I would recommend this program to anyone who is seeking a generalist program in a small and motivating environment.
	Wynne Wright Research Associate West Central Research and Outreach Center University of Minnesota-Morris