Master of Arts in Sociology
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:
- Graduate Application
- Application fee
- Official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree granting institution (minimum 3.0 overall GPA)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Letter of intent*
- Two letters of recommendation
- 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:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements | ||
| SOCI 5310 | Seminar In Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 5312 | Smnr Sociological Research | 3 |
| SOCI 5314 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOCI 6098 | Thesis Practicum 1 | 3 |
| SOCI 6099 | Thesis 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| 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:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| SOCI 5313 | Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 5376 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 5378 | Tchnq-Rsrch Propsl Wrt/Soc Sci | 3 |
| SOCI 5380 | Social Impct Assmt & Prog Eval | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Degree Plan 1 - MA in Sociology - Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Sociology (Thesis Option) | ||
| Specified Courses | ||
| SOCI 5310 | Seminar In Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 5312 | Smnr Sociological Research | 3 |
| SOCI 5314 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOCI 6098 | Thesis Practicum (Professional Paper) | 3 |
| SOCI 6099 | Thesis | 3 |
| 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 Hours | 36 | |
Degree Plan 2 - MA in Sociology - Comprehensive Exam Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Sociology (Comprehensive Exam Option) | ||
| Specified Courses | ||
| SOCI 5312 | Smnr Sociological Research | 3 |
| SOCI 5310 | Seminar In Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 5314 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| 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 Hours | 36 | |
