Department of Sociology

Non-thesis Track Master's Degree (45 credits)

Required courses (25 credits)

  • SOC 590
  • SOC 591
  • SOC 592
  • SOC 593
  • SOC 537
  • SOC 695
  • SOC 507 (1 credit)

Electives (20 credits)

  • 500/600 level electives (x6)

Graduate training in Sociology prioritizes community engagement and policy-relevant research focused on improving people's daily lives and society more broadly. Students focus on the integration of theory with a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches to study the dynamics of human behavior and social interaction in five substantive areas including health and medicine; environmental sociology; sociology of gender; and law, criminology, and deviance. The program aims to prepare graduates for research and service positions in government, the non-profit sector, private industry, and the academy. 

Sociology majors may be admitted directly into the MA/MS in Sociology program and "share" 20 credits (5 courses) of graduate level coursework in order to earn both a BA/BS and MA/MS in a continuous and streamlined manner. Typically, students enroll in 500-level elective courses during their senior year as an undergraduate. Students are not encouraged to enroll in 500-level courses until they have received confirmation of admission to the MA/MS program from the Sociology Graduate Director. 

Admissions: Students may submit an initial application to the B+M to the Sociology Graduate Director. Initial applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with 3 annual deadlines:

  • November 15 for a Winter term start
  • February 15 for a Spring term start
  • May 15 for a Fall term start

Initial Application Materials: Application will require evidence of having met the admissions criteria below, answering specific questions (e.g. career goals), the names of two Sociology faculty members who support the application, and an (unofficial) transcript from PSU. Student will not be required to submit GRE scores.

Admissions Criteria: The following conditions must be met for initial applications to be considered:

  • Declared Sociology major who has completed (or is enrolled in) SOC 200, SOC 396, SOC 397, and SOC 398 (keeping in mind that 397 and 398 are sequential courses)
  • 3.5 GPA for PSU Sociology courses
  • PSU institutional GPA of 3.3
  • Junior or Senior standing at PSU

Formal Application: If an initial application to the B+M program is approved, a student will be notified by an email from the Sociology Graduate Director, inviting them to submit a formal application to the MA/MS in Sociology

Program Continuation Requirements

  • All 500-level classes must be taken at PSU for a grade of B or better.
  • All undergraduate classes must receive a grade of C or better. No P/NP credit accepted for either program. 
  • The departmental residency requirement for undergraduate credits prior to admission is 24 credits. The PSU institutional requirement for residency for the undergraduate program is that 45 of the last 60 credits must be taken in residence at PSU. 
  • Students must maintain GPA's of 3.3 in 500-level courses and 3.5 in 400-level and below courses in order to maintain their status in the MA/MS program. 

Advising for the Bachelors + Masters

Initially, student will be advised by the Sociology undergraduate advisor, in consultation with the Sociology Graduate Director, who will assist them in preparing their application for the B+M. Once student have begin the master's sequence, they will be advised by the Graduate Director.