Degree Programs

Requirements for the Master's Degree

The Master's Program in Sociology feeds the sociological imagination and effects change through education and community engagement. The program fosters a network of students, faculty, alumni and community members who are committed to social justice. Students develop a solid foundation in sociological theory, methods, professional socialization and hands-on field experience. Practical experience is accumulated in one of two program tracks: Teaching Sociology or Practicing Sociology. A total of 38 units are required to complete the degree.

General Core Requirements—(Teaching and Practicing Sociology Tracks)

  • SOC 583 Quantitative Methods (4 units)
  • SOC 610 Contemporary Social Theory (4 units)
  • SOC 650 Race, Ethnicity & Gender (4 units), or
  • SOC 660 The Family (4 units)

Project/Thesis

After completing one semester or more of graduate work (preferably in the second semester of course work), a student should consult with the Graduate Coordinator and solicit the participation of three graduate faculty members to serve on his or her thesis or project committee. The names of committee members must be submitted to the Department. At this time, students must also apply to the Graduate School for advancement to candidacy. Once a student has advanced to candidacy, he or she is required to enroll in at least one unit of Thesis or Project work every semester until work is complete and each committee member has provided written acceptance of the work. Students must register for a minimum of 6 units of SOC 690 Master's Degree Thesis or SOC 692 Master's Degree Project to complete a master's in Sociology. A maximum of 9 units of SOC 690 Thesis, SOC 692 Project, or SOC 699 Independent Study may be counted toward the 38-unit Master's in Sociology requirement.

Conditional Program Admission

Students who lack adequate undergraduate preparation in sociological theory and methods may receive conditional program admission. Conditionally admitted students must complete with a "B" or better all or some of the following undergraduate courses:

  • SOC 282 Sociological Statistics (4 units)
  • SOC 310 Sociological Theory (4 units)
  • SOC 382 Intro to Social Research (4 units)

Track I: Teaching Sociology

The teaching track prepares graduate students for college teaching through a practical presentation of the processes and issues involved in teaching sociology. In addition to the general core requirements above, teaching track students must take the following coursework:

  • SOC 560 Teaching Sociology (2 units)
  • SOC 595 Teaching Assistantship (2 units)

Fully admitted students are required to take SOC 560 during their first semester and strongly encouraged to participate in a Teaching Assistantship while enrolled in SOC 560.

Teaching Assistantship

Teaching Sociology students are required to complete at least one teaching assistantship. Participation in a teaching assistantship requires prior or concurrent enrollment in SOC 560. Teaching Assistants must enroll in SOC 595 Teaching Assistantship (2 units) each time they TA. Only one teaching assistantship (2 units) counts toward the 38-unit degree.

Area Seminar Electives

  • SOC 520 Social Inequality (4 units)
  • SOC 530 Individual and Society (4 units)
  • SOC 540 Social Change (4 units)
  • SOC 550 Social Structure (4 units)

Teaching track students must take two (2) of the above area seminars (8 units).

Other Electives

Teaching track students must enroll in eight additional units of Sociology course work to complete their 38-unit requirement. Four of these units must be based in substantive (non-methods) course work. These units could include an additional area seminar from the above list, another substantive graduate seminar, or an upper division non-general education (GE) undergraduate sociology course. If a graduate student enrolls in the latter, additional "graduate student requirements" will be determined by that course instructor. The final 4 elective units may be substantive or methodological. Methods-based electives include the following:

  • SOC 584 Qualitative Methods (4 units)
  • SOC 535 Dispute Resolution (4 units)
  • SOC 592 Program Evaluation (4 units)
  • SOC 683 Advanced Research Training (4 units)

Teaching Internship (optional)

Select students will be invited to participate in SOC 682 Teaching Internship. In the teaching internship, a student will work with a faculty member to teach a section of Introductory Sociology. As with the SOC 595 Teaching Assistantship, the SOC 682 Teaching Internship units do not count toward the 38-unit degree requirements. However, this more independent teaching experience will enhance teaching credentials. Prerequisites for participating in the Teaching Internship include SOC 560 Teaching Sociology and SOC 595 Teaching Assistantship.

College Faculty Preparation Program—A Graduate Certificate in College Teaching: Sociology

This discipline-specific program is designed to better prepare the graduate student interested in a teaching career at the community college or university level. Participation requires completion of, or current enrollment in, the sociology master's program.

The certificate consists of five components (13 units), described below. After consulting with your graduate advisor, and under the advisement of the College Faculty Prep-aration Program coordinator, develop a plan of study tailored to meet your specific timelines and professional goals. The CFPP coordinator and the dean for Re-search and Graduate Studies must approve each plan of study.

Notation of certificate completion will appear on your official university transcript.

1. Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods

Introduces undergraduate teaching through a practical presentation of the processes and issues involved in sociology instruction. Students work with instructors of core courses in sociology. Four units, taken first or second semester of the MA program:

  • SOC 560 Teaching Sociology and
  • SOC 595 Teaching Assistantship
2. Higher Education Teaching Methods

Guidance in the skills and knowledge relevant to teaching in higher education. Three units, taken first or second semester of the MA program:

  • EDUC 583 Teaching in Higher Education

Certificate requirements #3 & #4 come after completion of #1 (Discipline-Specific Teaching Methods) and after or concurrent with #2 (Higher Education Teaching Methods).

3. Professional Development Seminar

Explore the nature and philosophy of postsecondary institutions and their roles and functions in higher education. One unit, concurrent with the fourth requirement, which follows.

  • SP 684 Orientation to Higher Education
4. Mentored Teaching Internship Experience

One of the following tracks:

Community College Track Three units of a mentored teaching experience at College of the Redwoods. SP 683 College Faculty Preparation Internship (Note: Students successfully completing this course may apply in later semesters for a paid CR Faculty Internship if positions are available.)

Pre-doctoral College Track Three units of mentored teaching experience at HSU. SOC 682 Teaching Internship

5. Capstone Experience

Guidance in developing a professional teaching portfolio and job-search support materials. Two units, taken after all previous components have been completed.

  • SP 685 Instructional Resources for Higher Education

Track II: Practicing Sociology

Practicing Sociology provides foundational graduate level training in theory and research methods, while assuring students have practical experience using their sociological skills and knowledge to meet needs of community groups outside the traditional college classroom. Sociology faculty members, along with the Practicing Sociology Advisory Board, cultivate a range of opportunities for students to practice sociology. Practicing Sociology students choose one of two specializations: program evaluation or community action.

Specialization in Program Evaluation

Program evaluation is the periodic, independent and objective review and assessment of a program to evaluate program objectives, design, and results. Drawing on sociological knowledge and skills, students work collaboratively with existing local, regional and state organizations to evaluate and inform existing programs.

Specialization in Community Action

Drawing on sociological knowledge and skills, students work collaboratively with existing local, regional and state organizations to inform, develop, and/or implement programs or workshops.

The specialization is largely shaped by field placements that include serving as research consultants to community groups, as well as working with community groups to meet their programmatic, training or education needs.

In addition to the general core requirements above, Practicing Sociology students must take the following course work:

  • SOC 590 Practicing Sociology (1 unit taken 4 times)
  • SOC 584 Qualitative Methods (4 units)

Area Seminar Electives

  • SOC 520 Social Inequality (4 units)
  • SOC 530 Individual and Society (4 units)
  • SOC 540 Social Change (4 units)
  • SOC 550 Social Structure (4 units)

Practicing track students must take one (1) of the above area seminars (4 units).

Methods Electives

  • SOC 535 Dispute Resolution (4 units)
  • SOC 592 Program Evaluation (4 units)*
  • SOC 683 Advanced Research Training (4 units)

Practicing track students must take one (1) course (4 units) from the above list of methods electives.

* Practicing Sociology students specializing in Program Evaluation must take SOC 592 Program Evaluation.

Other Electives

Practicing track students must enroll in at least four (4) units of substantive (non-methods) Sociology course work to complete their 38-unit requirement. These units could include an additional area seminar from the above list, another substantive graduate seminar, or an upper division non-general education (GE) undergraduate Sociology course. If a graduate student enrolls in the latter, additional "graduate student requirements" will be determined by that course instructor.

Field Site Placement Requirements

Practicing Sociology students are required to complete 240 hours of field placement related work that may include up to 40 hours of academic administrative work such as scheduling and meeting with faculty advisors, preparing and submitting required reporting and evaluation information, and formatting of final products to graduate school requirements. Specialization requirements in "program evaluation" or "community action" are largely defined by placement work. Placement requirements are defined in the "placement contract."

Other Considerations

Teaching and Practicing Sociology students must earn a "B" (3.0) or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the degree. The department reserves the right to dismiss from the program a student who does not make reasonable progress.