graduate program in sociology

The M.A. Program is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to sociology and its fundamental concepts and methods.  The program emphasizes the relationship between sociological questions and research design and practice.  Our M.A. students have diverse undergraduate backgrounds and work in a variety of areas - spanning the private, non-profit, and public sectors.  Most seek the strong foundation in sociology we offer to develop skills that can be applied in their own fields of work or to move into new ones.  The Program is focused on a capstone project that students complete in their final semester.  Depending on a student’s interests, the capstone project may involve substantial secondary research, and may be based in part on a relevant internship or work experience.  Our faculty work with students in the required courses, as well as one-on-one, to refine and develop their own projects.  Those students who aim to pursue an academic career may request to write a thesis, which involves original empirical research, instead of a capstone paper.