Graduate Degrees in Sociology

The Sociology M.A. program is comprised of a thesis and a non-thesis option. Both the thesis and non-thesis options require the following core courses:
 

SOCL 510	Qualitative Methods of Social Research	3 hours
SOCL 512	Sociological Theory	3 hours
SOCL 513	Quantitative Methods of Social Research	3 hours
SOCL 514	Advanced Social Statistics	3 hours
SOCL 520*	Professional Research and Writing	3 hours
	TOTAL	15 hours

*Passing a foreign language examination demonstrating reading proficiency in a foreign language appropriate to the major may be used in place of SOCL 520.  If this is accomplished, SOCL 520 may be used as an elective course in the graduate program. 

 

For those choosing to complete the thesis option, 33 hours of course work are required. In addition to the core courses, 6 hours of SOCL 599, Thesis Research and Writing, are necessary. The remaining 12 hours of course work are comprised of electives.  

 

For those choosing the non-thesis option, 36 hours of course work are required. The remaining 24 hours of course work are comprised of electives. Students selecting this option must pass a comprehensive exam during their final semester.

 

In both options, three hours of credit can be taken in a 400-level course with a graduate designation, in Sociology 595 (Directed Study), or in a 500-level course in a related field outside the Department of Sociology.

 

The department offers two courses (SOCL 500:  Seminar in Teaching and SOCL 501:  Practicum in Teaching) for those students interested in teaching as a profession. Students who have completed 18 graduate hours including completing SOCL 500 become eligible to teach their own sections of introductory sociology while taking SOCL 501.