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Graduate Degree Programs
Master of Arts in Sociology:
The Master of Arts degree has three basic goals. The first goal is to prepare graduates for careers in government, private enterprise, education, and social services. The second is to prepare graduates to teach in community colleges. The third is to provide a sound background for those who anticipate further graduate studies.-
Major: The basic degree requirement is 36 semester hours. Students must take Sociological Theory, Advanced Statistics for Social Services, Quantitative Research Methods, and Qualitative Research Methods. Students will also choose either the thesis or non-thesis option. Six of the 36 hours must be in a minor. Sociology students may select from a variety of approved minors. The selection process should be accomplished in consultation with the department's gradate advisor.
- Minors: Sociology may be included as a minor field or supporting area for graduate studies in various master's programs.
Master of Arts students will be prepared for a career in corporate and community human resources, administrative positions, and data analysis, to name a few. Graduates are also eligible to teach in community colleges and further their graduate training at the doctorate level.
Master of Science with a Major in Applied Sociology:
In addition to classroom learning, each student will complete a site based research project, collecting assessment data and producing a final report. Although students' research projects will vary, each will combine the emphases of the program-sociological methods and statistics, needs assessment, impact analysis, and grant writing-with the collection and analysis of either quantitative or qualitative data.
- Major: The basic degree requirement is 36 semester hours. Students must take Sociological Theory, Advanced Statistics for Social Services, Quantitative Research Methods, and Qualitative Research Methods. Students will also choose either the thesis or non-thesis option. Six of the 36 hours must be in a minor. Sociology students may select from a variety of approved minors. The selection process should be accomplished in consultation with the department's gradate advisor.
- Minors: Sociology may be included as a minor field or supporting area for graduate studies in various master's programs.
According to the Sociological Practice Association, employment for social scientists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. This increasing demand is the result of concern about issues such as the environment, urban development, and a competitive global economy, as well as a shortage of trained evaluators. Job prospects are best for students with advanced degrees and graduates from applied programs in sociology will be specifically equipped to take advantage of the trend toward research, evaluation, and data analysis.
- Graduates of the program will master the techniques of both qualitative and quantitative research, general statistical analysis, impact analysis, and demographics analysis. They will understand the major theoretical perspectives and sociology and be able to apply them to situations in business and service industries.
- Examples of positions for which the applied sociology graduate will be well qualified include, but are not limited to, survey or market researcher, program evaluator, policy analyst, grant writer, and various positions requiring data analysis and interpretation.
- Potential employers include international organizations; nonprofit foundations and organizations; federal, state, and local governments, as well as businesses in the private sector.
Admissions Policy:
Applications for graduate studies in the Department of Sociology must include three letters of reference and a letter of intent as a part of the application procedure. The letter of intent should speak to the applicant's academic interests and the relationship of the graduate degree in sociology to the applicant's life goals. The letters of reference should be from former teachers or professors who are knowledgeable about the applicant's academic ability and promise as a scholar. These items should be sent directly to the Graduate Advisor in the Department of Sociology at the Office Manager's address below. The application, official transcript, and GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate College, JCK 280, Texas State University -- San Marcos, San Marcos, TX 78666.
In addition to the general requirements of admission to the Texas State Graduate College, the Department of Sociology requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, calculated on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work before completion of the bachelor's degree.
Applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships should have all application materials in by March 1.
Graduate Assistant applications and letters of reference and intent can be mailed or or brought to the following address:
Tina Villarreal, Office Manager
Department of Sociology DERR 105
Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Useful Phone Numbers:
The Department of Sociology: (512) 245-2113
Graduate Advisor: (512) 245-7606
Disability Services Office: (512) 245-3451
Veteran's Affairs Office: (512) 245-2641
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