Sociology MA Program

Master of Arts in Sociology

Sociology, in simplest terms, is the study of social groups, relationships, and institutions. This may sound vague, but a major strength of Sociology is its broad applicability. After graduation, students successfully pursue and advance in careers from Policy Analysis and Public Relations to Management and Counseling. With our low faculty-to-student ratio and small class sizes, multiple funding options, professional research opportunities through the Applied Social Research Lab (ASRL), and both an Applied and Thesis concentration to choose from, the M.A. in Sociology at ETSU is a perfect fit for anyone looking to further their academic or vocational pursuits.

• Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor Degree from an accredited institution
    
    
    • Undergraduate major/minor in sociology preferred
    • Students who did not major or minor in sociology but have completed at least three (3) undergraduate courses may be admitted under the condition they complete two (2) upper-level undergraduate courses with a minimum grade of "B"
      *note: coursework in undergraduate-level statistics is preferred
  • Official College Transcripts with a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale)
    • unofficial transcripts may be submitted with application
  • Personal Statement about your interest in the program: 250-300 words
    • Essay should address your educational & career plans, research interests, and how our program meets your goals
  • Writing Sample, such as a paper submitted for credit from a previous course
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation, preferably from current or prior professors
    • References should address the applicant's potential for success, writing ability, and experience with statistics
      
      
  • Application Fee of $55 domestic and $65 international
    
    
  • Completed Application via the ETSU graduate application portal

Applied Concentration

In 2012 we founded the Applied Social Research Lab (ASRL) in partnership with the Center for Community Outreach. For the department, ASRL serves as a teaching, research, and learning lab where our faculty can conduct every facet of their survey and evaluation work. ASRL works with other faculty at ETSU and with private clients from New York to Louisiana on topics that range from public health, to criminal justice, to institutional research. Headed by Dr. Kelly Foster, ASRL serves as an incomparable asset for students in the program, employing undergraduate and graduate students on these projects, allowing them to gain experience, connect real world research to their school courses, and explore careers in applied sociology.

• Applied Core Requirements

  All students selecting the non-thesis option must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, 27 of which must be in sociology.

  SOCI 5110	Contemporary Social Theory (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5210	Sociological Research (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5320	Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5444	Data Analysis (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5820	Applied Skills (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5850*	Supervised Internship (6 cr.)
  SOCI 5870**	Internship Placement Report (3 cr.)

  Total: 15 credit hours

  * Students, in conjunction with the director of the Applied Social Research Lab and the Graduate Coordinator, will select an appropriate placement in an agency, organization, or applied research project in which they will work, under supervision, for a total of 280-300 hours (approximately 20 hours per week over one semester or 10 hours per week over two semesters).

• Applied Elective Requirements

  Twelve (12) credits selected from the graduate catalog

  • No more than 9 credits may be taken outside the SOCI subject
  • No more than 9 credits may be taken in split level (4XX7/5XX7) courses
• Skills Gained from Applied Concentration

  • Quantitative and Qualitative research methods training
  • Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis training using SPSS, Excel, and other resources
  • Grant writing experience
  • Survey design and administration experience (web, paper, phone)
  • Community research experience
  • An internship on an ASRL project or a project of student's choice
  • Research presentation experience
  • Technical report writing skills
  • Working with faculty and community partners outside of the Sociology Department
  • Data collection experience
  • AND MANY MORE!

Thesis Concentration

Headed by Dr. Martha Copp, the General Thesis Option is ideal for students who seek flexibility in coursework beyond the core foundation in methods, theory, and data analysis. Students enjoy the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a topic of interest, work closely with a faculty mentor, and write a master’s thesis. Thesis concentration students who hold graduate assistantships work with faculty members in the classroom or on research, and may be selected to teach undergraduate courses in their second year. The thesis concentration also offers excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their studies in a doctoral program.

• Thesis Core Requirements

  All students selecting the thesis option must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, 21 of which must be in sociology.

  SOCI 5110	Contemporary Social Theory (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5210	Sociological Research (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5444	Data Analysis (3 cr.)
  SOCI 5960	Thesis (3-6 cr.)

• Thesis Elective Requirements

  Fifteen to Eighteen (15-18) credits selected from the graduate catalog

  • No more than 9 credits may be taken outside the SOCI subject
  • No more than 9 credits may be taken in split level (4XX7/5XX7) courses
• Skills Gained from Thesis Concentration

  • Quantitative and Qualitative research methods training
  • Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis training using SPSS, Excel, and other resources
  • Data collection experience
  • Academic writing experience
  • Research presentation experience
  • Training in classroom instruction
  • AND MANY MORE!

Graduate Sociology Course Descriptions:

• SOCI 5057-5999

  COURSE	TITLE & CREDITS	DESCRIPTION
  SOCI 5057	Applied Sociology (3 credits)	Prerequisites: SOCI 3210 or CJCR 3010 or PSYC 3201 Examines issues and concepts of community and the principles of community-based research using theoretical and applied approaches.
  SOCI 5087	The Family in Transition (3 credits)	Prerequisite: SOCI 1020 or permission of instructor Analyzes the changing family with emphasis on family theory.
  SOCI 5110	Contemporary Social Theory (3 credits)	This course presents an overview of major schools of social theory.
  SOCI 5210	Sociological Research (3 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of instructor An overview of the entire research process. Topics include theory and hypotheses, sampling techniques, research designs, and data analysis.
  SOCI 5315	Seminar in Crime & Delinquency (3 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of instructor An advanced overview of the most important theories and problems in crime and delinquency.
  SOCI 5320	Program Evaluation (3 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of instructor This course provides a perspective on the major theoretical and conceptual approaches to program evaluation. The course is organized around four facets of program evaluation: Program planning, program monitoring, program impacts, and cost benefit/cost effectiveness evaluations. The course also address the purposes and uses of evaluations, the politics of evaluation, and the reporting of evaluation studies.
  SOCI 5337	Symbolic Interaction & Social Identities (3 credits)	Studies social interaction, the development of self, identity formation and change, and the social construction of reality.
  SOCI 5444	Data Analysis (3 credits)	This is a computer-intensive course designed to teach students basic skills in quantitative data analysis. Through an applied approach to data analysis and statistics, students will gain practical experience in: using a comprehensive statistical software package, selecting and applying statistical techniques, and interpreting and formally writing the results.
  SOCI 5500	Topical Seminar (3 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of instructor Study of current specialized area of sociological interest. May be repeated for credit.
  SOCI 5650	Survey Research Design (3 credits)	Prerequisite: SOCI 5210 Introduces survey design principles in both public and private sector research organizations that form the basis for standard practices in the field of survey methodology.
  SOCI 5807	Classical Social Theory (3 credits)	Prerequisite: SOCI 1020 or permission of instructor Provides a comprehensive survey of key modern social theorists and theories within the historical context of the emergence of the modern world order.
  SOCI 5820	Applied Skills (3 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of instructor An examination of how sociologists and anthropologists apply their theoretical knowledge and research skills, including formulation, implementation, and evaluation of programs designed to solve human problems.
  SOCI 5850	Supervised Internship (1-6 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of internship coordinator Planned and supervised professional assignments in public and private organizations, business, and/or industry. Internship placement and supervision will be established in consultation with the student’s advisory committee.
  SOCI 5870	Internship Placement Report (3 credits)	An analytical report demonstrating the varied ways in which sociological tools were applied in the internship experience.
  SOCI 5900	Independent Study in Sociology (1-3 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of instructor [TBA]
  SOCI 5957	Special Topics in Sociology (1-6 credits)	Prerequisite: Dependent on subject matter Presents study of an area of sociology that is not covered in other courses.
  SOCI 5960	Thesis (3-6 credits)	Prerequisite: Permission of graduate coordinator Write a thesis that provides evidence of the ability to conduct and disseminate original, independent research. Work under the guidance of a graduate faculty chair and committee. Complete in a format required by the graduate faculty and Graduate School.
  SOCI 5989	Internship/Cooperative Education (1-3 credits)	Students must clear arrangements for this course through the Cooperative Education Office prior to registration. Businesses, industries, and government agencies provide opportunities for planned and supervised work assignments. Students may alternate between periods (usually two semesters) of full-time study and employment with a cooperative education employer. Credit received carries full academic value, and students may receive compensation as full-time employees.
  SOCI 5990	Readings and Research (1-3 credits)	Students who are not enrolled in other coursework but require the use of university facilities and/or faculty guidance for studies, research, or preparation of a prospectus MUST enroll for Readings and Research. Variable credits (1-3) of Readings and Research may also be used, as approved by student’s advisory committee in conjunction with other coursework, to document such activities as development of research and scholarly skills that would not be appropriately covered by other types of independent study. Readings and Research credits do not count toward degree requirements. Grading of Readings and Research will be either satisfactory completion (S), satisfactory progress (SP), or unsatisfactory (U).
  SOCI 5999	Internship/Cooperative Education (1-3 credits)	Students must clear arrangements for this course through the Cooperative Education Office prior to registration. Businesses, industries, and government agencies provide opportunities for planned and supervised work assignments. Students may alternate between periods (usually two semesters) of full-time study and employment with a cooperative education employer. Credit received carries full academic value, and students may receive compensation as full-time employees.