Sociology MA Requirements

GENERAL THESIS OPTION: All students selecting the thesis option must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, 21 of which must be in sociology.

THESIS REQUIREMENTS (15 credit hours)

SOCI   5110 Contemporary Social Theory (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5210 Sociological Research (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5444 Data Analysis (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5960 Thesis (up to 6 credit hours)

Electives (15-18 credits)

Students enrolled in the thesis option may take 15-18 credit hours of electives. This offers a high degree of choice and personalized study, culminating in a thesis that can be oriented toward the student's special area of interest. Other than the courses offered by the department, students may consult with the Graduate Coordinator and take up to nine hours of graduate study outside Sociology to gain knowledge and expertise in related fields of study (psychology, public health, management, criminal justice, etc.).

APPLIED SOCIOLOGY OPTION: All students selecting the non-thesis option must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, 27 of which must be in sociology.

APPLIED REQUIREMENTS (24 credit hours)

SOCI   5110 Contemporary Social Theory (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5210 Sociological Research (3 credit hours)                                                                             
SOCI   5820 Applied Skills (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5444 Data Analysis (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5320 Program Evaluation (3 credit hours)
SOCI   5850 Supervised Internship (6 credit hours)
SOCI   5870 Internship Placement Report (3 credit hours)

Electives - (12 credits)

The special feature of the applied sociology concentration is the Supervised Internship (SOCI 5850, 6 credit hours). Students, in conjunction with the director of the Applied Social Research Lab and the Graduate Coordinator, will select an appropriate placement in an agency, organization, or applied research project in which they will work, under supervision, for a total of 280-300 hours (approximately 20 hours per week over one semester or 10 hours per week over two semesters). The culmination of the applied sociology concentration is an analytical report based on the student's internship experience and knowledge gained from previous coursework, for which they receive three credits by taking Internship Placement Report (SOCI 5870). As with the thesis option, written comprehensive exams are required to successfully complete the degree program.