MA in Sociology

Total units required for MA: 30

Program Description

The Master of Arts Program in Sociology is designed to provide a broad academic foundation for a variety of professional opportunities and community needs such as survey research, evaluation and applied research, social problem analysis, career interest in community organizations, and teaching.

The program offers small once-a-week evening seminars and allows for close student-faculty interaction. It encourages students to seek internships and fieldwork, and participate in the many government, voluntary, and private agencies in the Sacramento area. Students will concentrate on theory and research methods as well as areas of elective specialization. Following coursework, students will complete a culminating experience project or thesis, depending on the student’s educational and occupational goals.

Many of our graduates enter employment in state, local, and city government agencies, non-profits, and private businesses that conduct evaluation and applied research, systems analysis, social problems analysis, and social impact assessment.  A small number of our graduates enter PhD programs with an aim to teach and research at the university level.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student in the Sociology MA Program requires:

  • A baccalaureate degree (a baccalaureate degree in Sociology is preferred).
  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
  • Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 18 units of undergraduate work in sociology, including one course each in theory, statistics, and methodology (see below), with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
    • SOC 101 Introduction to Statistics for Sociologists (or equivalent)
    • SOC 102 Research Methods in Sociology (or equivalent)
    • SOC 192 Sociological Theory (or equivalent)

Students who have deficiencies in admissions requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with a “conditionally classified” graduate status rather than a “classified” graduate student status. Any such deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the admission application.

Admission Procedures

All prospective graduate students must complete a CSU System Application via CalStateApply.  The following are all the components that must be submitted on CalStateApply.

  • A statement of purpose.
  • One writing sample.
  • One set of unofficial transcripts from all the colleges and universities attended, including Sacramento State transcripts, in one PDF.
  • Two letters of recommendation.

Before applying, please review all the detailed application instructions and information on the Sociology Department website and the Office of Graduate Studies Applicant website.

Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree

Units required for the MA:  30

Minimum Cumulative GPA:  3.0.  All units must be completed with a grade of “B” or better.

Advancement to Candidacy

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study (Project or Thesis). Students must be advanced to candidacy the semester before they enroll in SOC 500. This procedure can begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

  • removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
  • completed at least 12 units in the Sociology graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
  • completed a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in sociology with a “B” or better, within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento.

Advancement to Candidacy Forms are available online.  Students fill out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with a Sociology graduate program faculty advisor. There are strict deadlines for Advancement to Candidacy form submission, so please refer to the Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Program Requirements

Required Core Courses (15 Units)
SOC 200Orientation and Writing for Sociological Graduate Studies 3
SOC 214Research Methods 3
SOC 215Data Analysis3
SOC 235Social Psychology3
SOC 240Seminar: Sociological Theory3
Electives (9 Units) 1
Select 9 units from the following courses:9
SOC 210
Urban Sociology
SOC 220
Seminar: Social Change
SOC 222
Immigration and Coloniality
SOC 225
Social Stratification
SOC 226
Sociology of Gender
SOC 230
Seminar: Social Organization
SOC 238
Environmental Sociology
SOC 255
Social Research in Crime and Deviance
SOC 260
Contemporary Issues of the Middle East and North Africa
SOC 265
Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 266
Sociology of The Family
SOC 294
Special Topics in Sociology 2
SOC 295
Internship and Fieldwork 3
SOC 299
Special Problems 3
Culminating Experience Requirements (6 Units) 4
SOC 2703
SOC 500Master of Arts Thesis/Project 53
Total Units30
1

With faculty and department approval, one relevant 200-level elective in another graduate program may be counted toward the degree.

2

This course changes subjects; SOC 294 may be repeated twice for credit with two different subjects. See course description per semester taught.  

3

No more than 6 units of SOC 295 and SOC 299 may be counted toward the degree; these courses do not count toward the 18 required units of 200-level seminar courses for Advancement to Candidacy eligibility.

4

SOC 270 and SOC 500 cannot be taken in the same semester.

5
Students must complete 3 units of SOC 500 to complete the degree; however, students may take up to 6 units of SOC 500 in the one and only semester they enroll in it. Students needing additional time to complete the culminating experience may enroll in subsequent semesters of SOC 599 with advisor approval.