The 30-unit program is composed of a 12-unit core course sequence that all students must complete. Depending on options chosen by the student, the core course sequence is augmented with requirements for the special emphasis and electives to total 30 units. The Master of Arts program is designed to facilitate close contact between students and faculty, to encourage students to accept a role in the selection of course offerings, and to participate in areas of departmental decision making.

Prerequisites
Students must meet the university require- ments for admission to graduate standing. Please see the “Graduate Regulations” section of the school catalog for policies and procedures on admission of graduate students.

In order to be accepted as a sociology graduate student, the applicant must have a grade-point average of 2.75 or better in the most recent 60 units of college work and a grade-point average of 3.0 (B) or better for all work in sociology. A minimum of 18 upper-division units in sociology is required, including the following courses or their equivalents:

Sociology 301 Theories of Social Behavior (3)
Sociology 302 Social Research Methods (3)
Sociology 303 Statistics for the Social Sciences (3)

Courses in methods, statistics and theory must have been completed within the last five years prior to application. Two letters of reference attesting to the applicant’s academic potential must be sent to the graduate coordinator.

Students will be accepted as conditionally classified sociology majors with either course or GPA deficiencies. Deficiencies must be corrected within one year of admission to the program.

Students will be classified upon the fulfillment of the above prerequisites, and after an approved study plan has been developed, in consultation with the Graduate Committee.

Study Plan
The study plan for the degree must be completed with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 with no course grades below C. The study plan is approved by the student’s adviser and includes the following:

Core Course Sequence - All Students (12 units)

Sociology 502A The Research Process (3)
Sociology 502B The Research Process (3)
Sociology 581 Advanced Theories of Social Behavior (3)
Sociology 501T Seminar: Topics in Societal Structure and Process (3)

Note: Sociology 502A and 581 are designed to be taken during the first semester of graduate studies.

Electives (12-15 units)

Electives to be chosen from the following categories consistent with each student’s goals, subject to approval by the graduate adviser and limited by the maximum number of units set for each category.

500-level graduate seminars (maximum 15 units)

400-level Sociology courses (maximum 6 units)

Sociology 596 Community College Symposium (3) or Sociology 597 Project: Agency Placement (3)

(maximum 6 units any combination of Sociology 596 or 597))

Sociology 599 Independent Graduate Research (1-3)

Note: Maximum of nine units of any combination of Sociology 596, 597, or 599 allowed on the study plan.

Thesis/Project/Comprehensive Exam (3-6 units)

Sociology 598 Thesis (3) plus Thesis Writing Course (3) or Sociology 597 Project: Agency Placement (3-6) or Sociology 599 Independent Graduate Research (3-6) plus Comprehensive Exam

It is highly recommended that students planning on doctoral studies complete the thesis option.

For further information, consult Dr. Rae Newton, graduate program adviser.