Sociology (MA)
The Department of Sociology offers a comprehensive graduate program for a Master of Arts (MA). The MA degree has an optional track in Public and Applied Sociology. With a general Master of Arts in Sociology you will gain a broad foundation in the discipline and explore a field relevant to your career interests and goals. This track can prepare you for teaching, research, governmental work, or public service. With a Public and Applied Master of Arts in Sociology you will develop the research skills you need to help shape social policy and programs. This track places special emphasis on quantitative and qualitative research and how to apply it in organizations.
Curriculum
The Master of Arts in Sociology requires 30 credit hours and a master's thesis or portfolio. Students may choose between a general or applied sociology track.
General Sociology Requirements
The General MA Sociology track provides students with a broad foundation in sociological theory and methods, as well as a particular focus in a more specialized field of relevance to the student’s career interests in academic, private sector work, government work, or public service. It is also the foundation for entrance into doctoral study in sociology and most other social science programs. This track requires ten courses plus the completion of a master’s thesis. Completion of this degree normally takes up to two years as a full-time student.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Sociology Required Courses | ||
Introductory Courses | ||
SOCL 405 | History Sociological Thought | 3 |
SOCL 406 | Modern Sociological Theory | 3 |
Methods and Research Courses | ||
SOCL 410 | Logic of Sociological Inquiry | 3 |
SOCL 412 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 3 |
SOCL 414 | Statistical Methods Analysis I | 3 |
Choose Five Electives | 15 | |
Statistical Methods of Analysis II | ||
Demography | ||
Theories Social Change | ||
Social Movements | ||
Inequality and Society | ||
Sociology of Gender | ||
Political Sociology | ||
Poverty and Social Welfare | ||
Socialization Thru Life Cycle | ||
The Family | ||
Community Change | ||
Organizations & Organizational Change | ||
Sociology of Religion | ||
Religious Conflict & Change | ||
Knowledge, Power & Expertise | ||
Sociology of Culture | ||
Technology & Material Culture | ||
Complex Organizations | ||
Occupations and Professions | ||
Race & Ethnicity | ||
The Urban Metropolis | ||
Sociology & Natural Environment | ||
Sociology of Deviance & Control | ||
Criminology | ||
Medical Sociology | ||
Workshop: Applied Sociology | ||
Sociological Discourse | ||
Internship | ||
Independent Research | ||
Independent Research | ||
Directed Study | ||
Total Hours | 30 |
Public and Applied Sociology Requirements
The Public and Applied Sociology track emphasizes the application of sociological knowledge and methods to the development and evaluation of policies and programs. It provides students with a broad foundation in sociological theory and methods, as well as a focus on a more specialized field of relevance to the student’s career interests. This track requires ten courses, one of which is a credit-bearing internship in an organization outside of Loyola, as well as the completion of a research portfolio, consisting of one library-based paper and one empirical paper. This degree can be particularly useful for students planning careers in corporations, hospitals, social service agencies, labor unions, community organizations, non-profit organizations, or government agencies. Completion of this degree normally requires one and a half years as a full-time student.
In addition to five electives within the Sociology Program, this track consists of five required courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Applied Sociology Required Courses | ||
SOCL 405 | History Sociological Thought | 3 |
SOCL 410 | Logic of Sociological Inquiry | 3 |
SOCL 412 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 3 |
SOCL 414 | Statistical Methods Analysis I | 3 |
SOCL 494 | Internship | 3 |
Choose Five Electives | 15 | |
Modern Sociological Theory | ||
Statistical Methods of Analysis II | ||
Demography | ||
Theories Social Change | ||
Social Movements | ||
Inequality and Society | ||
Sociology of Gender | ||
Political Sociology | ||
Poverty and Social Welfare | ||
Socialization Thru Life Cycle | ||
The Family | ||
Community Change | ||
Organizations & Organizational Change | ||
Sociology of Religion | ||
Religious Conflict & Change | ||
Knowledge, Power & Expertise | ||
Sociology of Culture | ||
Technology & Material Culture | ||
Complex Organizations | ||
Occupations and Professions | ||
Race & Ethnicity | ||
The Urban Metropolis | ||
Sociology & Natural Environment | ||
Sociology of Deviance & Control | ||
Criminology | ||
Medical Sociology | ||
Workshop: Applied Sociology | ||
Sociological Discourse | ||
Independent Research | ||
Independent Research | ||
Directed Study | ||
Total Hours | 30 |
The internship is a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and to make professional contacts that will facilitate their careers. Interns have worked in a variety of organizations-the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, American Medical Association, Better Government Association, and the Midwest Women's Center-as well as for several metropolitan newspapers, fair housing commissions, city government departments, and major corporations. Students in this track are also required to complete a thesis or submit a portfolio (including the internship report).
Responsible Conduct of Research
All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that students complete this two-day training before beginning the dissertation/thesis stage of the program.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
There are two possible tracks when obtaining your M.A.: the General M.A. or the Public & Applied M.A. in Sociology.
The General MA Sociology track provides students with a broad foundation in sociological theory and methods, as well as a particular focus in a more specialized field of relevance to the student’s career interests in academic, private sector work, government work, or public service. It is also the foundation for entrance into doctoral study in sociology and most other social science programs. This track requires ten courses plus the completion of a master’s thesis. Completion of this degree normally takes up to two years as a full-time student. This degree prepares students for positions as research staff in government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors.
The Public and Applied Sociology track emphasizes the application of sociological knowledge and methods to the development and evaluation of policies and programs. It provides students with a broad foundation in sociological theory and methods, as well as a focus on a more specialized field of relevance to the student’s career interests. This track requires ten courses, one of which is a credit-bearing internship in an organization outside of Loyola, as well as the completion of a research portfolio, consisting of one library-based paper and one empirical paper. This degree can be particularly useful for students planning careers in corporations, hospitals, social service agencies, labor unions, community organizations, non-profit organizations, or government agencies. Completion of this degree normally requires one and a half years as a full-time student. This degree prepares students for positions as program directors or staff in government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors.
Students will learn to:
- Identify the broad theoretical orientations of the discipline. [General Track]
- Frame sociological research questions. [General Track]
- Synthesize social scientific literature. [General Track]
- Select appropriate data sources. [General Track]
- Collect and present data in accordance with ethical and professional standards. [General Track]
- Use one or more data collection methods to carry out a research project, such as interviews, participant observation, surveys, or archival evidence. [General Track]
- Analyze quantitative or qualitative data. [General Track]
- Write a sociological research report. [General Track]
- Apply sociological knowledge to governmental, non-profit, or for-profit organizational activities. [Applied Track]
- Contribute to the work of a governmental, non-profit, or for-profit organization through an internship. [Applied Track]
- Frame a research question relevant to an organization. [Applied Track]
- Select appropriate data sources. [Applied Track]
- Collect and present data in accordance with ethical and professional standards. [Applied Track]
- Use one or more data collection methods, such as interviews, participant observation, or surveys. [Applied Track]
- Analyze quantitative or qualitative data. [Applied Track]
- Write a sociologically-informed report that is relevant to an organization. [Applied Track]