Sociology, Master of Arts

Graduate Studies in Sociology

The department offers an established graduate program leading to the Master of Arts in Sociology. The program is designed to provide all students with a strong foundation in sociological theory and research methodology. The graduate program is designed to allow for a substantial degree of student choice. Students may choose a macro or micro-based program of study and select from several areas for further specialization or experience. These areas include, but are not restricted to, such concentrations as community studies; family; race and ethnicity; social research; sociology of education; law and society; criminology and deviance; and general sociology. Finally, students may choose one option to complete their graduate study program: comprehensive exam, thematic project, or thesis. Students with an interest in applied fields the degree are encouraged to complete via project or comprehensive examination. Those with research interests or who may wish to pursue advanced graduate study toward a doctoral degree are encouraged to opt for the thesis or thematic project options. All students are encouraged to take their learning outside of the classroom to prepare for graduate education and career development.  

The Department of Sociology has an established record of success in graduate education. Many of the department's graduates have found careers in research, teaching, higher education, nonprofit and public service sectors, evaluation research, and a wide range of other fields. Special emphasis is placed on practical and policy-relevant research participation by graduate students. Students are encouraged to take an active role in the department, the discipline, and the wider community. Students may participate in one or more of the many advanced forms of social scientific research, including evaluation research, social impact analysis, ethnographic field research, internships, or teaching practicums.

Requirements

Admissions Requirements and Procedures

To be considered for admission to the Sociology Graduate Program, applicants must complete the appropriate forms and pay the established fees through the Office of Admissions. Successful applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) of upper division undergraduate course work (excluding units earned in extension studies). The applicant should have two letters of recommendation forwarded to the program coordinator. Applicants not possessing the above qualifications may apply directly to the Sociology Graduate Committee for special consideration.

Only those applicants who show promise of success and fitness will be admitted to the graduate program, and only those who continue to demonstrate a satisfactory level of scholastic competence and fitness shall be eligible to continue in the program.

Requirements for Classified Standing

To become classified in the Sociology Graduate Program, a student must demonstrate a background in social science theory and methods. This usually entails a theory and a methods course taken at the undergraduate level. Students in need of this exposure will be required to take appropriate undergraduate theory and/or methods course(s) in order to be classified. Students eligible for classification should contact the graduate coordinator.

Requirement for Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy status denotes the successful completion of a major portion of the graduate academic program.

To be advanced to candidacy students must have completed the following:

1. Meet graduate writing assessment requirement
2. The following core courses with a minimum grade of "B" in each course

   Course List

   Code	Title	Hours
   SOC 505	Seminar in Sociological Research	3
   SOC 506	Laboratory in Sociological Research	1
   SOC 511	Seminar in Social Organizations	3
   or SOC 550	Seminar in Interaction Processes
   SOC 555	Seminar in Sociological Theory	3
   Total Hours		10

3. Completion of two additional graduate seminars in sociology with a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Approval of the student's eligibility for the comprehensive exam by the graduate coordinator; or

5. Approval of a thesis or thematic project proposal by a committee consisting of at least two members of the full-time faculty of the sociology department. Proposals are submitted in writing and the title is registered with the department

Degree Requirements

General Sociology Option (30 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Core Courses 1
SOC 505	Seminar in Sociological Research 2	3
SOC 506	Laboratory in Sociological Research	1
SOC 555	Seminar in Sociological Theory 2	3
SOC 511	Seminar in Social Organizations	3
or SOC 550	Seminar in Interaction Processes
Electives
Complete 20 additional units from sociology course offerings (a maximum of nine units may be taken from 300 or 400 level courses and only with the consent of the graduate coordinator) 3		20
Additional Requirement
Complete one of the following:
Comprehensive Exam
Thesis
Thematic project
Total Hours		30

¹

Core courses must be completed with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better with no grade lower than a "B".

²

Classified students are required to take this course during their first year in the program.

³

At least three units should be graduate seminars, those students selecting the thesis or the project may include five units of SOC 599 Graduate Capstone in Sociology. Those students selecting the comprehensive examination option must include two units of SOC 599 Graduate Capstone in Sociology.

Research Skills Option (30 units)

The following courses are prerequisites and must be completed before classified standing in the program will be granted.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Prerequisites
SOC 304	Computer Applications	3
or SOC 307	Micro Computer Data Base Applications in Social Science
SOC 402	Multivariate Analysis	4
Total Hours		7

Research Skills Option: This option will also satisfy requirements for the Graduate Research Certificate.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Courses
SOC 505	Seminar in Sociological Research	3
SOC 506	Laboratory in Sociological Research	1
SOC 555	Seminar in Sociological Theory	3
SOC 511	Seminar in Social Organizations	3
or SOC 550	Seminar in Interaction Processes
Required Courses
SOC 503	Seminar in Ethnographic Analysis in Sociology	3
Complete 12 units of the following:		12
SOC 502	Graduate Workshop in Research and Theory 1
SOC 302	Workshop in Social Research
SOC 598	Directed Research	1-3
Total Hours		26-28

¹

Must take at least nine units in SOC 502 Graduate Workshop in Research and Theory.

Additional requirements:

1. Serve as project director (or co-director) of a selected Urban Community Research Center sponsored project for the minimum of one term and the submission of an approved written report of the project
2. A grade point average of 3.0 or better in graduate study

Master's Requirement

In addition to the major requirements, students must meet all university requirements for the master's degree. Students should consult the section of the catalog entitled "Graduate Degrees and Postbaccalaureate Studies."

Outdated Coursework

Students usually complete the program within two or three years. However, some students do not maintain continuous attendance and, hence, take considerably longer. Students must complete the entire program within seven years. Courses taken in the eighth year are subject to a validation process. According to California State University policy, courses taken more than eight years before the student graduates must be repeated. Consult the general regulations regarding "outdated coursework" elsewhere in the catalog.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate responsible ethical and professional conduct related to sociological research and in professional life.
2. Demonstrate advanced writing skills reflective of sociological styles (e.g. research papers, literature reviews, research proposal, or program evaluations) at the graduate level.
3. Demonstrate skills designed to contribute to the development of their discipline or profession at the economic, social and civic policy levels.
4. Demonstrate an ability to perform independently, both intellectually and professionally, within sociology at a graduate level.
5. Demonstrate an ability to express advanced ideas orally at a graduate level.
6. Engage in research, scholarly or creative activity within sociology or make meaningful contributions to field of sociology at a graduate level.