Sociology, MA

Advanced training in sociology should enable students to think insightfully and critically about society and human relationships and to serve more effectively in a variety of professions. The department’s MA in Sociology prepares students for research professions, doctoral studies, teaching in the social sciences, as well as employment in human services, government agencies, corporations, higher education, and social research positions. Recent graduates are working as directors or supervisors in human services agencies, researchers, data analysts, and educators. 

Admission Criteria

In addition to School of Graduate Studies and Research admissions requirements, the applicants to the Sociology MA program should have completed at least 12 hours of undergraduate social science courses with an average of “B” or better. Students not meeting this requirement may be admitted if they agree to take additional undergraduate or graduate sociology courses designated by the department.

Program Requirements

Students select either a six-credit thesis option or a non-thesis option. Students selecting the thesis option must successfully complete a six-credit thesis (see requirements for the thesis listed under the catalog description for SOC 795 ). Including the six-credit thesis, the thesis option requires a total of 37 credit hours. The non-thesis option requires a total of 37 credit hours and successful completion of a portfolio.

Additional courses are available from other departments on related topics such as counseling, individual assessment, women’s studies, criminology, cross-cultural studies, public policy and finance, community and urban planning, statistical analysis, and program evaluation. Up to nine credit hours may be taken outside the department. No more than one-third of a student’s total credit hours may be dual-level (500-level) courses. Students who enrolled for dual-level courses while undergraduates at IUP may not repeat the same courses for credit as graduate students.

The Sociology Program is designed especially for those students preparing for research professions, doctoral studies, or teaching in the social sciences.