Students pursuing an MA in sociology may choose a specialization in either institutions and inequality, or the sociology of globalization. Under the larger framework of these specializations, students 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.
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 the MA in sociology, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 33
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Core Courses
Social Theory
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 711 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 712 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Research Methods
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 620 | Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry | 3 |
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Survey Research | ||
| Evaluation Research for Social Programs | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology 1 | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Historical and Comparative Sociology | ||
| Feminist Approaches to Social Research | ||
| Feminist Research Practice | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Only when topic is Feminist Methods, Feminist Theory, or Critical Ethnography. |
Public Sociology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 601 | Proseminar in Public and Applied Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Writing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 602 | Writing for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two to three electives from the full range of offerings in sociology (any SOCI course) or focus their elective credits in one of two specializations: | 6-9 | |
Institutions and Inequalities Specialization: | ||
| Gender and Social Structure | ||
| Juvenile Delinquency | ||
| Sociology of Culture | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives | ||
| International Migration in the Age of Globalization | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Micro Sociology: Inequality and Everyday Life | ||
| Social Networks, New Media, and Inequality | ||
| Work Organizations and Social Inequality | ||
| Youth, Schooling, and Popular Culture | ||
| Society and Education | ||
| Cities in a Global Society | ||
| Sociology of Human Rights | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology 1 | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology 1 | ||
Sociology of Globalization Specialization: | ||
| Sociology of Culture | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives | ||
| International Migration in the Age of Globalization | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Social Networks, New Media, and Inequality | ||
| Sociology of Development | ||
| Globalization and Social Movements | ||
| Cities in a Global Society | ||
| Sociology of Human Rights | ||
| Refugees in the Contemporary World | ||
| International Migration in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Nationalism, Transnationalism, and States: Local and Global Perspectives | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology 1 | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 6-9 | |
| 1 | Only with prior written approval of director. |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Three or six credits of | 3-6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 3-6 | |
MA Capstone Paper
As an alternative to the thesis, students can elect to complete an independent, 25-page research paper. Unlike the thesis, the MA capstone paper must be completed in one semester.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 797 | Master's Capstone Paper | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Sociology, BA/Sociology, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly-qualified Mason sociology majors may apply to the accelerated master's degree program. If accepted, students will be able to earn both a BA and an MA in sociology following satisfactory completion of 147 credits, sometimes within five years. See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
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 the accelerated MA in sociology, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students complete two graduate SOCI courses at the 500 and 600 level (chosen in consultation with the graduate program director and indicated on their Accelerated Master's Program Application) with a minimum grade of 3.00 in each course. Once admitted to the accelerated master's pathway, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in all coursework. On completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, they submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form and are admitted to graduate status.
As graduate students, accelerated master's students have an advanced standing. They must meet all master's degree requirements except for the two courses (6 credits) they completed as undergraduates. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree.
Reserve Graduate Credit
Students may take up to 6 additional graduate credits of SOCI courses as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree. To apply these credits to the master's degree, students should use the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form.
The ability to take courses, including ones not listed above, for reserve graduate credit is available to all high achieving undergraduates with the permission of the department. Permission is normally granted only to qualified Mason seniors within 15 hours of graduation. See AP.1.4.4 Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates.