M.A. in Sociology
Master's in Sociology
- Address today's issues: criminology, gender studies, inequality.
- Get experience teaching sociology.
- Acquire research and analytical skills.
- Take advantage of competitive funding.
- Finish in 12 months.
- Read what graduate alumni are doing in their careers.
Preparation for community college teaching, Ph.D. or law school, careers in government and private agencies—with an excellent placement record.
- Program Overview
- Admissions
- Courses and Resources
- Degree Requirements
- Graduate Financial Aid
- Mission & Learning Objectives
- Thesis, Applied or Policy Project, or Examinations
- Research Opportunities
- Teaching Internships
Time to Degree: Many students are able to complete the program in two semesters plus a summer. Others may take longer, as provision must be made for the master's thesis, comprehensive examinations, or applied/policy project. The academic year at Ohio University is composed of two 15-week semesters; students usually complete their programs in three to five semesters (between one and one and a half calendar years), depending on program and options selected.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Sociology at Ohio University seeks to train students for advanced graduate training or employment in a variety of applied settings. The department maintains a strong emphasis in the theories and methods of the discipline while maintaining strengths in the areas of criminology/deviance, gender studies, and inequality.
A variety of opportunities exist for students to obtain training and experience both inside and outside the classroom. Sociology faculty members are actively engaged in research and publication, provide leadership in regional and national professional associations, and have received numerous awards for teaching excellence. Students are encouraged to apprentice with faculty members on research projects, teaching internships, and related professional experiences. Students also may choose to work at various institutes and centers in the university or to participate in an interdisciplinary program such as international and area studies, women's studies, and environmental studies.
Ohio University's graduate program in Sociology is designed to offer flexibility that permits students to maximize their unique interests and capabilities. The low student-to-faculty ratio promotes individualized attention and contributes to the high completion rate of students in the program.
Opportunities upon Graduation
After completing the M.A., many students successfully pursue doctoral or law degrees, teach at two-year colleges, or find employment in various government and private agencies. Students who complete the master's degree in Sociology have pursued advanced graduate training in social science disciplines and other professional programs. Others have found employment in applied settings in research, professional service in non-profit agencies, management in private and public entities, public policy work, and teaching in two-year institutions.
Program Mission
Sociologists at Ohio University study how social behavior becomes organized, institutionalized, and transformed at the macro level of societal change, the micro level of individual belief and action, and everything in between. The program supports the mission of the university and the College of Arts & Sciences "to advance the interrelated areas of teaching, research, and outreach in a learning-centered community" that "foster(s) creativity, scholarly discovery, and academic excellence." In so doing, the goal is to provide training in foundational critical learning, analytical, and research skills combined with breadth and depth of knowledge about social, cultural, and behavioral processes and the diversity of human experience to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to be productive community members and citizens of the society in which they live.
Program Learning Objectives
- Students will demonstrate an advanced understanding and ability to use sociological paradigms, theories, and concepts.
- Students will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the logic, methods, and applications of sociological inquiry.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to independently critically evaluate and apply sociological theories and research methods to specific sociological problems.