Master of Arts in Sociology

The Master of Arts in Sociology is a completely online program designed to provide students with advanced instruction in quantitative and qualitative techniques of sociological research, theory, and sociological analysis. Students develop the advanced professional skills necessary to analyze social issues in applied settings and advance their careers. The Master of Arts in Sociology degree program emphasizes public sociology. Public Sociology takes many forms and ranges from community-based research and partnerships to the publication of research briefs that seek to engage the broader public to engagement in local social movements.

Students select one of the following track options: Professional Practice of Scholarship, Research, or Teaching.

The Professional Practice of Scholarship track is designed for students who desire to apply sociological perspectives and skills to employment opportunities by articulating valued transferable skills to an industry or sector of their choice.

The Research track is designed for students who anticipate further graduate study in Sociology or a related discipline and requires candidates to conduct original research demonstrating theoretical, methodological, and analytical skills in the discipline.

The Teaching track is designed for students who aim to teach sociology in high school or community college and requires candidates to produce a teaching portfolio (containing, e.g., a course syllabus, high-impact assignments or exercises, and a lesson plan).

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit

All students seeking admission to the Master of Arts program in Sociology must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Application: The Graduate Application is an institutional application required by SHSU. Students must provide biographical and educational information and information relevant to determining State of Texas residency.
2. Application fee: An application fee is required for all applications to graduate programs at SHSU.
3. Transcripts from all degree-granting institutions.*

Applicants having at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA and a degree in Sociology will be automatically admitted. In addition to these required application materials, the graduate committee strongly recommends that applicants submit additional items based on their prior coursework and performance.

For applicants who have either a 3.5 undergraduate GPA without a Sociology degree or a 3.0-3.49 undergraduate GPA, we strongly recommend they include a response to the following prompt:

In 500 to 1,000 words, describe how your personal, professional, and/or educational experiences have prepared you to engage with sociological thinking. Then, select a social problem that is important to you and demonstrate how a sociological perspective can be used to consider potential solutions. Finally, identify professional or career goals and articulate how our program can help you to achieve them.

If applicants have a traditional writing sample that demonstrates their ability to apply a sociological perspective, they may submit that in the place of their response to the prompt.

For applications who have below a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, we strongly recommend they include a response to the previously stated prompt (or a writing sample), at least one letter from a professional reference, and a statement explaining why their undergraduate GPA is not the best indicator of their potential to succeed in the program. 

*Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts for review by the admissions committee. However, under university policy, admission decisions are contingent upon receipt of official transcripts.

Students will be admitted for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The application deadline for Spring enrollment is December 1st; the application deadline for Summer enrollment is May 1st; the application deadline for Fall enrollment is August 1st.

Notes

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

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Contact information:

Jeffrey A. Gardner, Ph.D. 
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Sociology
Sam Houston State University 
jag175@shsu.edu
936-294-2373

The Master of Arts in Sociology requires a minimum of 30 hours of 5000-level SOCI courses.

Students select one of the following track options: Professional Practice of Scholarship, Research, or Teaching.

Requirements

Professional Practice of Scholarship (30 semester hours)

• Students must complete 9 hours of Core Requirements.
• Students must complete 21 hours of Sociology Electives.
• Students must complete the Professional Practice of Scholarship Capstone project. The requirements for the capstone project include a formal paper and professional presentation.

Research (30 semester hours)

• Students must complete 15 hours of Core Requirements.
• Students must complete 15 credit hours of Sociology Electives.
• Students must complete and successfully defend a thesis.

Teaching (30 semester hours)

• Students must complete 9 hours of Core Requirements.
• Students must complete 21 hours of Sociology Electives.
• Students must complete the Teaching Capstone project. The requirements for the capstone project include the development of a teaching portfolio and a teaching demonstration.

Core Requirements by Track

Students pursuing a Master's Degree in Sociology must take the following core courses in their respective track.

Degree Plan 1 - MA in Sociology (Professional Practice of Scholarship)

Note:  Must complete the Professional Practice of Scholarship Capstone project. The requirements for the capstone project include a formal paper and professional presentation.  

Degree Plan 2 - MA in Sociology (Research)

Note:  Must complete and successfully defend a thesis. 

Degree Plan 3 - MA in Sociology (Teaching)

Note:  Must complete the Teaching Capstone project. The requirements for the capstone project include the development of a teaching portfolio and a teaching demonstration.  

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MA in Sociology is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Problem solving, data management and analysis, and critical thinking.
• Effective interpersonal, cross-cultural, and professional communication.
• Ability to navigate complex social situations and collaborate effectively with others who bring a different perspective.
• Understand and assess, social structure, inequity, and social responsibility within society’s cultural, political, and economic systems.

• Improve social conditions in local communities and the broader society.

• Competence to teach sociology courses at the community college and high school levels.