Master of Arts in Sociology

Students successfully completing the M.A. in Sociology degree program will:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sociological paradigms, theories, and concepts.
• Demonstrate an ability to analyze, synthesize and evaluate sociological data, theories, and methods.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the research process, including data collection and analysis.
• Be prepared to pursue and secure further graduate training or public sector/private sector employment.

• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• Candidates must meet general admission requirements of Lincoln University’s Graduate Studies Program.
• Candidates may be conditionally admitted with a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a verbal score of 143 and a quantitative score of 133; plus a review of writing after one (1) semester. Candidates may be accepted unconditionally after writing ability is demonstrated. This applies to all students, including graduates from Lincoln University with undergraduate degrees in Sociology or Criminal Justice.

• A minimum of 9 hours of undergraduate work in Sociology plus at least 6 hours of upper division social science courses (300 and 400 level) are prerequisites for admission.
• In addition to the 9 hours, all M.A. candidates must have a general Introduction to Sociology class on their transcript. This course is required: candidates may be admitted conditionally until this requirement is satisfied.
• No more than one (1) “C” grade may be counted toward the M.A. in Sociology degree. However, candidates cannot have a C in a required course. Students who earn a “C” in a course have one (and only one) opportunity to re-take the course and raise the grade. No course in which the student has earned less than a grade of “C” will be counted toward the graduate degree. Students earning a final grade of “C”, “D”, or “F” are allowed to repeat the course only one time to raise the grade.
• 33 units are required for the degree. Required courses cannot be substituted or waived.
• Candidates may choose to write a thesis & take 6 hours of thesis research OR candidates can select 2 additional 3 credit hour seminar classes in lieu of a thesis.
• All Sociology M.A. candidates must pass a 3-question comprehensive exam.
• Candidates must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the graduate program to remain in good standing. A graduate student whose cumulative graduate GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. While on academic probation, a graduate student may not enroll in more than 6 credits per semester or summer session.
• Non-Thesis Option: A thesis is not required for the M.A. Candidates who select the non-thesis option are required to take two additional (3 Credit Hour) seminar courses and complete a research paper in each course.
• Special Topics Courses: Special topics courses may not be used to substitute for courses required in the master’s program. They may only be used to satisfy elective course requirements.
• 300 and 400 level courses cannot be applied to the graduate degree.
• Candidates receiving an incomplete in their thesis courses have a five-year deadline date to complete the thesis.

SOC 552 Data Analysis .................................................................................... 3

SOC 550 Research Methods or equivalent ...................................................... 3

SA 502 Sociological Theory or equivalent ........................................................ 3

SOC 501 Stratification ...................................................................................... 3

Two Thesis OR two 3-credit hour, research paper seminars in Sociology-Anthropology..................................................................................................... 6

Two Sociology or Anthropology electives ......................................................... 6

Two Sociology-Anthropology, cognates, or a minor ......................................... 6

TOTAL ............................................................................................................ 33