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The M.A. Graduate Program in Sociology is intended for students who:

• Wish to go on for doctoral degrees and careers in teaching and research after the completion of the M.A.
• Wish the degree as preparation for various occupations.
  
• Wish to pursue their liberal arts education further in the field of Sociology.
  
• For admission to classified graduate status in the program, the student must possess a Bachelor's degree, including all sociology undergraduate core requirements, or the equivalent. The University requirement for classified status requires Department evaluation and approval. The degree requires a minimum of 30 units of approved graduate courses, plus comprehensive exams or a thesis, as follows.

Core requirements: 12

• SOC 601 Sociological Theory in Historical Perspective 3
  
• SOC 670 Studies in Contemporary Sociology 3
  
• SOC 690 Social Research 3
  
• SOC 691A-F Directed Research 3
  

Approved graduate courses: 12

At least 6 units must be in 500 or 600 series in sociology.

In these 12 units the student should cover at least the remaining elective areas of concentration for the Comprehensive Examination.

Electives:

6 units selected from sociology or related fields (selected with advisor approval).

Total requirements: 30 units, plus one of the following:

Comprehensive Examinations

... in three areas including sociological theory and sociological research methodology, and one of the following:

Applied Sociology

Criminology and Corrections

Cross-Cultural Studies

Ethnic Relations

Medical Sociology

Organizational Analysis

Social Change

Social Psychology

Social Structure and Institutions

Sociology of Aging

Sociology of Gender and Sex

Sociology of Work

Thesis

After having completed 15 units (but no more than 24 units) of graduate work, of which at least 9 units are in 500-600 level courses, with a 3.50 GPA in graduate core courses, the student must:

-- pass a qualifying examination on Sociological Theory and Methodology.

-- satisfactorily complete a thesis (a student must name a thesis advisor and satisfactorily complete an 8-10 page thesis proposal. After reading the porposal, the advisor, in consultation with the Graduate Committee and the Department Chair, will recommend whether the student proceeds to the full thesis.

Note: The normal path to the master's degree is via comprehensive exams. Only in exceptional cases will the Department recommend writing a thesis.