MA in Sociology
George Mason’s Sociology Master’s program is one of a few in the nation that focuses on public and applied sociology. We provide advanced sociological training in substantive and methodological fields allowing students to directly engage problems confronting decision makers and the public.
Faculty support students in:
- designing research and programs to address diverse questions raised by scholars, partners, and/or clients;
- using a broad range of methods and techniques including comparative, qualitative, quantitative, and engaged research methodologies, as well as techniques for outreach and engagement and skills for applied research settings; and,
- producing a variety of outcomes, including publication in academic and popular journals and media, public events and other interventions, and program development and implementation.
The program’s orientation toward public and applied sociology provides excellent training for students across a range of careers in both the public and private sectors. Whether your interests are focused on Human Rights, Global Development, Children and Youth Empowerment, Health and Food Access, Education, Urban Affairs, or Poverty and Inequality, the opportunities for real-world experience are limitless.
After completing the Sociology MA degree, our students move on to successful careers in social and scientific research, social and human services, government, and higher education. Many graduates also choose to pursue a PhD in Sociology or other discipline.
The Sociology MA degree is a 33-credit program; generally completed in two years for full-time students, three years for part time students.
Courses are offered in the evenings; each course meeting once a week beginning at either 4:30 pm or 7:30 pm. A full-time course load is 3 courses per semester.
There is no ‘Typical’ Mason sociology graduate student, and we welcome the diversity of our student body. We have a mix of full and part-time students, recent BA graduates and second-career returning students, students with sociology backgrounds and non-sociology backgrounds, and local, out-of-state and international students.
Our graduate students are very active outside of the classroom.
Students earn credit and gain hands-on experience through graduate practicum internships.
They are active in research; participating in varied Center for Social Science Research (CSSR) initiatives such as the Social Science Research Lab, Democratizing NOVA, and all research hubs. They also intern and support varied research initiatives at Mason’s Institute for Immigration Research (IIR).
Mason sociology graduate students also have a robust and active student network. The Public Sociology Association (PSA) is the primary student-led organization and includes both MA and PhD students as elected leaders. The PSA organizes social, educational, and professionalization events including a biennial Public Sociology Conference.
Our graduate students are also active in the broader DC area sociological community as members of the DC Sociological Society and contributors / editors of The Sociologist.
Many are also involved in the broader Mason graduate student community as active members of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA).