Coursework
Required and elective coursework helps students to build a solid foundation in sociological theory and methods and to gain familiarity with substantive areas of the discipline. While the required courses are specific to the M.A. program, half of the required coursework is elective and students may take those courses alongside the department’s Ph.D. students. Students may also take courses outside of the department with approval from the program director.
Independent Research and the Master’s Thesis
In addition to coursework, students engage in independent research projects that involve selecting field sites, accessing data sources or collecting original data, articulating research findings, and presenting their work to faculty and peers. The research process culminates in the completion and submission of a master’s thesis.
Click here for a list of recent master's thesis titles.
Advising
Students benefit from extensive individual advising from department faculty. At the beginning of the program, each student is paired with a faculty advisor with whom they meet throughout the year, and who helps guide them through their independent research. Students also receive support from the program director, additional M.A. faculty, and peers in the Ph.D. program.
Professional Training
Beyond academic requirements, the program’s professionalization seminar or "pro-seminar" features current faculty and scholars in an open forum for career development and for discussing research, public sociology, and topics of interest to the student cohort. The pro-seminar also includes training sessions to build academic and professional skills essential to future careers, including PhD application development, career seminars, ethical conduct of research, the use of software for data analysis, conference presentations, and strategies for publishing articles.
