Master of Arts in Sociology

This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit catalog.shsu.edu.

The Master of Arts in Sociology is a completely online program designed to provide students with advanced and updated instruction in quantitative and qualitative techniques of sociological research, statistics, and theory, and sociological electives. Students will develop the advanced professional skills necessary to analyze social issues in applied settings and advance their careers. These skills include research grant writing, program evaluation, impact assessment, and community-based research.

Students seeking admission to the graduate program in Sociology must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree granting institution (minimum 3.0 overall GPA)
  4. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  5. Letter of intent*
  6. Two letters of recommendation
  7. Writing sample 

Students will be admitted for the Fall and Spring semesters (no summer admissions). The application deadline for Spring enrollment is December 1st; the application deadline for Fall enrollment is August 15th.

Note: Admission to the MA Program in Sociology is competitive and the number of available positions is limited. 

* The Letter of Intent is your opportunity to discuss your fit with the program offered at Sam Houston State University. While you have a significant amount of freedom to discuss anything you would like in your letter of intent, you may want to address your short-term and long-term academic/professional goals, why you would like to attend our program, and why your interests fit with our program. The letter should not exceed 750 words.

Upload all Admissions Documents at ApplyTexas.org and https://bearkatlink.shsu.edu

Graduate Admission Support
(936) 294-1971
graduate@shsu.edu

The Master of Arts in Sociology requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit, 30 of which must be in Sociology and must be in courses numbered 5000. M.A. candidates in Sociology are expected to develop the advanced professional skills necessary to analyze social issues in applied settings. These skills include research grant writing, program evaluation, impact assessment, and community-based research.

Students can select between a Thesis Option and a Comprehensive Exam Option.

Requirements

Thesis Option (36 semester hours)

  • Must complete 15 hours of Core Requirements including SOCI 6098 and SOCI 6099
  • Must complete 3 hours of the Applied Core Requirements
  • Minimum of 18 credit hours of Sociology Electives

Comprehensive Exam Option (36 semester hours)

  • Must complete 9 hours of Core Requirements
  • Must complete 3 hours of Applied Core Requirements
  • Minimum of 24 hours of Sociology Electives
  • Must pass the comprehensive exam

Required Courses

Students pursuing a Master's Degree in Sociology must take the following core courses:

Course Requirements
SOCI 5310Seminar In Sociological Theory3
SOCI 5312Smnr Sociological Research3
SOCI 5314Social Statistics3
SOCI 6098Thesis Practicum 13
SOCI 6099Thesis 13
Total Hours15
1

Courses SOCI 6098 and SOCI 6099 are only required for students who choose the thesis option MA Degree Plan.

Students must also take at least one among the remaining applied core courses:

Courses
SOCI 5313Qualitative Methods3
SOCI 5376Applied Research Methods3
SOCI 5378Tchnq-Rsrch Propsl Wrt/Soc Sci3
SOCI 5380Social Impct Assmt & Prog Eval3
Total Hours12

Degree Plan 1 - MA in Sociology - Thesis Option

Master of Arts in Sociology (Thesis Option)
Specified Courses
SOCI 5310Seminar In Sociological Theory3
SOCI 5312Smnr Sociological Research3
SOCI 5314Social Statistics3
SOCI 6098Thesis Practicum (Professional Paper)3
SOCI 6099Thesis3
Applied Core Electives
Select one of the following:3
Qualitative Methods
Applied Research Methods
Tchnq-Rsrch Propsl Wrt/Soc Sci
Social Impct Assmt & Prog Eval
SOCI Electives
Select six of the following:18
Sociolgy of Entrepreneurship
Sociology Of Community
Cultural Sociolgy
Seminar In Medical Sociology
Seminar In Social Change & Dev
Seminar in Food and Society
Sociology Of The Family
Sociology Of Religion
Gender And Society
Sociology of Disasters
Seminar-Environmentl Sociology
Seminar In Race And Ethnic Stu
Seminar In Social Inequality
The Sociology of Aging
Total Hours36

Degree Plan 2 - MA in Sociology - Comprehensive Exam Option

Master of Arts in Sociology (Comprehensive Exam Option)
Specified Courses
SOCI 5312Smnr Sociological Research3
SOCI 5310Seminar In Sociological Theory3
SOCI 5314Social Statistics3
Applied Core Electives
Select one of the following:3
Qualitative Methods
Applied Research Methods
Tchnq-Rsrch Propsl Wrt/Soc Sci
Social Impct Assmt & Prog Eval
SOCI Electives
Select eight of the following:24
Sociolgy of Entrepreneurship
Sociology Of Community
Cultural Sociolgy
Seminar In Medical Sociology
Seminar In Social Change & Dev
Seminar in Food and Society
Sociology Of The Family
Sociology Of Religion
Gender And Society
Sociology of Disasters
Seminar-Environmentl Sociology
Seminar In Race And Ethnic Stu
Seminar In Social Inequality
The Sociology of Aging
Total Hours36