MA in Sociology

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MA-SOCI

Students pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology may pursue studies in a wide range of areas of sociological inquiry. Faculty in the program specialize in culture (including music, art, new media, and consumption); family, youth and aging; gender; globalization; immigration and migration; political economy, development and economic sociology; political sociology and social movements; race/ethnicity; religion; sociological theory; and urban sociology. The program is strongly connected to nonprofit and community groups, providing ample opportunity for research, internships, and employment. 

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 33

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies. Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Foundation Courses

Public Sociology  
SOCI 601 Proseminar in Public and Applied Sociology 3
Social Theory  
SOCI 711 Classical Sociological Theory 3
SOCI 712 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3
Required Methodology and Analysis Course  
SOCI 620 Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry 3
Elective Methodology and Analysis Courses 6
Select two from the following:
 
Survey Research  
Evaluation Research for Social Programs  
Special Topics in Sociology  
Qualitative Research Methods  
Statistical Reasoning  
Feminist Theory  
Ethnography  
Historical and Comparative Sociology  
Analytic Techniques of Social Research  
Methods in Anthropology  
Feminist Research Methods  
Total Credits 18

Elective Courses

Select three to four electives from advanced courses (500-800 level) in sociology. 1 9-12
1

Students may take SOCI 616 Practicum in Sociology as 1-6 elective credits. With prior written approval of the MA advisor, up to two courses from outside the sociology program that are not currently listed as approved courses (inclusive of consortium courses) may count toward elective courses.

Thesis or MA Capstone Paper

Thesis

A master's thesis demonstrates the student's capacity to carry out independent research. The thesis consists of a substantial sociological research or theoretical project that will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in sociology.

Students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in SOCI 799 Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment as specified in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis.

SOCI 799 Thesis 3-6
Total Credits 3-6

Master's Capstone Paper

As an alternative to the thesis, students can elect to complete an independent, 25-page research paper. Unlike the thesis, the master's capstone paper must be completed in one semester under the guidance of a faculty member who has been admitted to the graduate faculty.

SOCI 797 Master's Capstone Paper 3
Total Credits 3

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking sociology or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Sociology, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Sociology MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 57 credits rather than 69 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Total credits: 57

Required Sociology Courses

SOCI 601 Proseminar in Public and Applied Sociology 3
SOCI 620 Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry 3
SOCI 711 Classical Sociological Theory 3
SOCI 712 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3
Elective Methodology and Analysis Course 3
Survey Research  
Evaluation Research for Social Programs  
Special Topics in Sociology  
Qualitative Research Methods  
Statistical Reasoning  
Feminist Theory  
Ethnography  
Historical and Comparative Sociology  
Analytic Techniques of Social Research  
Methods in Anthropology  
Select three advanced courses (500-800 level) in sociology 9
Total Credits 24

Required Women and Gender Studies Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3
Select one course in critical race studies form the following: 3
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies  
Policing Black Bodies
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: 3
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Queer Theory  
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: 3
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Seminar for Supervision in Teacher Education  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Select three courses from the following that address the study of women and gender and that are not taken as part of the core focus. 9
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Other relevant courses from other disciplines chosen in consultation with concentration head
 
Total Credits 27

Required Methods Course

WMST 610 Feminist Research Methods 3

Capstone, Project, or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis  
Thesis  
Master's Capstone Paper  
Total Credits 3