The Department of Sociology offers a comprehensive graduate program for a Master of Arts (MA) which provides a broad foundation in the discipline and enables students to explore a field relevant to their career interests.  This program has two tracks: a general Master of Arts in Sociology track and a Public and Applied Sociology track.  The general track prepares students for mid-level administration, research, and teaching positions, as well as for continuing into a Ph.D.  The Public and Applied track prepares students to help shape and evaluate social policy and programs and includes a required internship.  Both tracks train students in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and offer an elective in writing and presenting research.

The Sociology (MA) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year.  Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.

Related Programs

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.

Besides the traditional Master's program, the Sociology (MA) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year.  A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.

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. 

Course List

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
SOCL 415	Statistical Methods of Analysis II
SOCL 418	Demography
SOCL 421	Theories Social Change
SOCL 423	Social Movements
SOCL 425	Inequality and Society
SOCL 426	Sociology of Gender
SOCL 427	Political Sociology
SOCL 428	Poverty and Social Welfare
SOCL 432	Socialization Thru Life Cycle
SOCL 438	The Family
SOCL 439	Community Change
SOCL 440	Organizations & Organizational Change
SOCL 441	Sociology of Religion
SOCL 442	Religious Conflict & Change
SOCL 446	Knowledge, Power & Expertise
SOCL 447	Sociology of Culture
SOCL 448	Technology & Material Culture
SOCL 452	Complex Organizations
SOCL 453	Occupations and Professions
SOCL 461	Race & Ethnicity
SOCL 462	The Urban Metropolis
SOCL 463	Sociology & Natural Environment
SOCL 471	Sociology of Deviance & Control
SOCL 473	Criminology
SOCL 481	Medical Sociology
SOCL 490	Workshop: Applied Sociology
SOCL 491	Sociological Discourse
SOCL 494	Internship
SOCL 497	Independent Research
SOCL 498	Independent Research
SOCL 499	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:

Course List

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
SOCL 406	Modern Sociological Theory
SOCL 415	Statistical Methods of Analysis II
SOCL 418	Demography
SOCL 421	Theories Social Change
SOCL 423	Social Movements
SOCL 425	Inequality and Society
SOCL 426	Sociology of Gender
SOCL 427	Political Sociology
SOCL 428	Poverty and Social Welfare
SOCL 432	Socialization Thru Life Cycle
SOCL 438	The Family
SOCL 439	Community Change
SOCL 440	Organizations & Organizational Change
SOCL 441	Sociology of Religion
SOCL 442	Religious Conflict & Change
SOCL 446	Knowledge, Power & Expertise
SOCL 447	Sociology of Culture
SOCL 448	Technology & Material Culture
SOCL 452	Complex Organizations
SOCL 453	Occupations and Professions
SOCL 461	Race & Ethnicity
SOCL 462	The Urban Metropolis
SOCL 463	Sociology & Natural Environment
SOCL 471	Sociology of Deviance & Control
SOCL 473	Criminology
SOCL 481	Medical Sociology
SOCL 490	Workshop: Applied Sociology
SOCL 491	Sociological Discourse
SOCL 497	Independent Research
SOCL 498	Independent Research
SOCL 499	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. 

Suggested Sequence of Courses

Traditional Master's Program

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their Graduate Program Director for assistance with course selection.

General Sociology Track

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
SOCL 405	History Sociological Thought	3
SOCL 410	Logic of Sociological Inquiry	3
	Hours	6
Spring
SOCL 406	Modern Sociological Theory	3
SOCL 412	Qualitative Methods in Social Research	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
Year 2
Fall
SOCL 414	Statistical Methods Analysis I	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
Spring
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	6
	Total Hours	30

Public and Applied Sociology Track

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
SOCL 405	History Sociological Thought	3
SOCL 410	Logic of Sociological Inquiry	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
Spring
SOCL 412	Qualitative Methods in Social Research	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
Year 2
Fall
SOCL 414	Statistical Methods Analysis I	3
SOCL 494	Internship	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	12
	Total Hours	30

Accelerated Master's Pathway

Students can take up to 12 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP.  These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.

General Sociology Track

Plan of Study Grid

Senior
Fall		Hours
SOCL 405	History Sociological Thought	3
SOCL 410	Logic of Sociological Inquiry	3
	Hours	6
Spring
SOCL 406	Modern Sociological Theory	3
SOCL 412	Qualitative Methods in Social Research	3
	Hours	6
Master's
Fall
SOCL 414	Statistical Methods Analysis I	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
Spring
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
	Total Hours	30

Public and Applied Sociology Track

Plan of Study Grid

Senior
Fall		Hours
SOCL 405	History Sociological Thought	3
SOCL 410	Logic of Sociological Inquiry	3
	Hours	6
Spring
SOCL 412	Qualitative Methods in Social Research	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective 1		3
	Hours	6
Master's
Fall
SOCL 414	Statistical Methods Analysis I	3
SOCL 494	Internship	3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
Spring
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
SOCL 400-Level Elective		3
	Hours	9
	Total Hours	30

¹

Chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.

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.

Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways

In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.

Admission and Matriculation

Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.

Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.

Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.

Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.

Advising and Registration

Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.

Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.

Shared Credits

Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.

In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.

Degree Requirements and Conferral

Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.

The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.

If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.

Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.

Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.

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]