Requirements for Candidacy

Sociology M.A. Program

The Department of Sociology offers two plans (Plan I and Plan II) for the M.A. Degree

Requirements for the M.A. Degree (Plan I)

Plan I students pursuing the M.A. degree in Sociology must have been admitted into the Medical Sociology Ph.D. program. To be admitted in good standing, candidates must meet all Graduate School admission requirements.

Plan I applicants lacking 18 semester hours in social science courses will be evaluated individually for academic deficiencies. Supplemental coursework may be recommended by the graduate faculty.
The program provides a Plan I (thesis) option. The M.A. degree is conferred upon the fulfillment of the requirements outlined below.

All of the following core courses are required for all students:

SOC 701   Introduction to Sociological Research Methods
SOC 703  Regression Analysis
SOC 705 or SOC 711 Quantitative Methods/Qualitative Methods
SOC 720  Classical Theory
SOC 722 Contemporary Theory
SOC 702 (3 continuous semesters) Proseminar on the Profession
2 or more substantive courses (these may be in areas outside of Sociology, subject to approval by the Sociology graduate program director)

Additional requirements for the Plan I M.A. degree include the following:

    • 6 semester hours of thesis research (SOC 699);
    • an acceptable research-based thesis; and
    • a final oral examination based on the thesis.


Requirements for the M.A. Degree (Plan II)

Plan II is an Applied M.A. option which provides strong disciplinary training, along with internships and research experience, to prepare students for careers in business, non-profits, government agencies and the continued professional development of teaching careers.  To be admitted in good standing, candidates must meet all Graduate School admission requirements.

The Plan II option is a non-thesis plan.  A six-hour faculty-directed applied/community capstone project, undertaken at the conclusion of the program, provides an opportunity to synthesize all previous course material and meets the final requirement for the applied plan II MA degree in Sociology.

Students deciding to move into the Medical Sociology Ph.D Program will need to meet the core requirements from Plan I.

Students interested in learning more about the Plan II Applied Sociology MA should contact Dr. Jeffrey Clair, Director, Applied Sociology MA plan, 205-934-8680, or write This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

All of the following core courses are required for all students (18 hour):

SOC 713  Introduction to Applied Sociological Research Methods (3)
SOC 726 Applied Sociology (3)
SOC 727 Applied Social Psychology (3)
SOC 723  Applied Sociological Theory (3)
SOC 776  Capstone Project (6)

Four additional classes are required for all students to fully matriculate (12 hours):

SOC  711  Qualitative Methods (3)
SOC  715 Program Evaluation (3)
SOC  728 Teaching Sociology (3)
SOC  729 Consumer Culture (3)
SOC  745 Sociological Practice (3)
SOC  760  Sociology of Death and Dying (3)
SOC  789 Patient Care Relationships and Ethics (3)
SOC  737 Practicum in Innovation, Creativity and Applied Sociology  (3)
SOC  783  Health Care Delivery Systems (3)
SOC  786 Health Disparities (3)