Sociology Graduate Program

Sociology offers a distinct perspective on understanding the social world. Our discipline emphasizes how institutions and structural forces outside the individual—the family, organizations, politics, economics, culture—shape individual and group behavior, opportunities, and histories. As a major teaching and research unit, we seek to ensure that the knowledge imparted to our students is current and that they learn the skills of critical inquiry, analytical evaluation, and historical sensibilities.

Admission to Graduate Studies

An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study in the College may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Please consult the Departments & Programs section of the online catalog for information regarding program-specific admissions criteria and requirements. Special admissions requirements pertain to Interdisciplinary Studies degrees, which may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

 

Graduate Admission

To be considered for admission, applicants must have completed 15 credit hours in sociology, including a course in sociological theory, and a course in statistics. 

Applications also must include:

• A statement of academic interests and professional goals
• 3 recommendation rating forms and letters from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s academic performance
• 1 complete set of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• A current résumé/curriculum vitae
• A writing sample (senior or master's thesis preferred)
• A nonrefundable application fee
• Non-native speakers of English must meet English proficiency requirements set by KU Graduate Studies.

GRE scores are optional for applicants for Fall 2024 admission.

The applicant’s record should indicate considerable academic promise and a high level of motivation.

Submit your graduate application online. Most application materials can be attached to the online application.

MA Degree Requirements 

Students entering the Ph.D. program without a master’s degree must first complete all master’s degree requirements.  All courses must be selected in consultation with the student's faculty advisor. 

1. Within the first 2 years of the program, students must complete all M.A. level requirements, including coursework, portfolio, thesis, and a final exam. If a student does not complete all the M.A. level requirements within the first 2 years of the program, they will not be eligible for the renewal of their GTA/GRA funding. A total of 36 hours of graduate credit are required for the M.A., including:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses		3
SOC 810	Sociological Inquiry
Methods (Must include SOC 812)		6
SOC 707	Seminar in Historical Sociology
SOC 812	Analytic Methods in Sociology
SOC 910	Seminar on Special Topics in Methods: _____
Theory (Must include SOC 802 or SOC 902)		6
SOC 802	Classical Social Theory
SOC 900	Seminar on Special Topics in Theory: _____
SOC 902	Contemporary Social Theory
Elective Seminars		15
SOC 722	Sociology of Gender
SOC 760	Social Inequality
SOC 767	Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Gerontology and Aging
SOC 780	Advanced Topics in Sociology: _____ (e.g. Cultural Sociology, Population Dynamics, Sociology of Religion, Gender in the Global Context, Comparative Sociology of Race)
SOC 820	Political Sociology
SOC 824	Health and Social Behavior
SOC 873	International Political Economy
SOC 920	Seminar on Special Topics in Social Organizations: _____
Thesis		6
SOC 899	Thesis

 *Individual Master’s Readings courses (SOC 891) may not be used to meet these requirements except by approved petition.

2. During their first year in the program, students must begin compiling portfolios of their professional work. 

3. Students must complete an M.A. thesis under the direction of a sociology faculty member of the student's choosing, an oral defense of the thesis, and a final exam for the M.A. Degree. The M.A. committee must comply with Graduate Studies’ Master’s Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.  A maximum of 5 members are allowed. The oral defense and the exam take place on the same occasion. The oral defense will consist of a presentation of research, open to the public, followed by a period of examination by the committee in closed session. No student can attempt a thesis defense and a M.A. exam more than twice; a second failure on the defense and examination requires that the M.A. committee chair report this fact to the Sociology Graduate Studies Committee to deliberate on the possible dismissal of the student from the program.

Exam Only (Terminal) M.A. Option

A student that wishes to complete a master's degree but does not wish to continue on to the doctoral level of the program may choose the exam only, terminal M.A. option. Completion of these requirements leads to the M.A. degree but does not allow the student to proceed to doctoral study. Exam only students must complete 30 hours of graduate credit. Coursework requirements are the same as listed above for the thesis-option M.A., but thesis hours (SOC 899) are not required.

A final oral examination over course work in sociology is also required. The exam is closed to the public.  The M.A. committee must comply with Graduate Studies’ Master’s Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.  A maximum of 5 members are allowed. The oral examination may be taken twice; a second failure on the oral examination requires that the M.A. committee chair report this fact to the Sociology Graduate Studies Committee to deliberate on the possible dismissal of the student from the program.   

Handbook for Graduate Students

A more detailed account of advising procedures, degree requirements, and program options is set forth in the department’s Manual of Graduate Study in Sociology, which is available on the department's website.

University Policies and Requirements

A list of all policies of the Office of Graduate Studies is available online in the in the Policy Library.