Investigate Critical Questions About the Workings of the Social World

The Department of Sociology offers a five-year B.A./M.A. program to eligible students with outstanding academic records (minimum 3.5 GPA). A student starts with a recommendation and sequence of courses from the department chair. The student must then get approval from the department and the dean of undergraduate studies by submitting an application for the B.A./M.A. program.

Once admitted into the program students are allowed to begin work toward a master's degree during both semesters of their senior year. Certain courses within and outside the major field may be waived in favor of graduate courses, which will be counted toward the courses necessary for the bachelor's degree. All requirements for the bachelor's degree must be completed within four years of matriculation and before credits towards the master's degree may be applied. All master's degree credits must be completed within five years of matriculation; otherwise, the double course credits are forfeited.

 

  • Bachelor's Degree Requirements

    For the bachelor's degree, courses in sociology comprise 36 credit hours and a comprehensive exam or thesis:

    • Six required courses:
      SOC 101
      SOC 102
      SOC 202/501
      SOC 301/503
      SOC 352/512
      SOC 452
    • Six electives courses
      Up to four courses can be taken at the 500 level and counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees

    • Students are required to take a comprehensive exam or write a thesis paper in their senior year

  • Master's Degree Requirements

    • Four required courses:
      SOC 501
      SOC 503
      SOC 512
      SOC 604
    • Six elective courses
    • Thesis or two research papers by the fifth year

  • Suggested Graduate Course Sequence

    Junior Year
    SOC 501 - Research Design and Methods
    SOC 512 - Theories of Comparative Societies
    Other 500 level electives

    Senior Year
    SOC 503- Social Statistics- Fall
    SOC 452 - Senior Coordinating Seminar - Spring
    Other 500 level electives
    Senior Thesis Option

    Fifth Year
    SOC 604 - Intermediate Social Statistics or equivalent
    Remaining 500 or above level electives
    Complete two seminar papers and either graduate thesis or comprehensive exam