Sociology (MA)
Admissions Requirements
The Department of Sociology is committed to fostering diversity by considering factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, and social class in its graduate and undergraduate programs; as such, background factors and circumstances will be considered when reviewing applications.
While admission solely on meeting—or not meeting—certain criteria, chances are improved with the following:
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.2;
- Previous undergraduate course work in statistics, methods, and theory* (with a grade of B+ or better in statistics and a grade of B in methods and social theory)*; and
- International students should also have either (a) a TOEFL score of 213 (on computer-based test) or 79-80 (on the internet-based test), (b) a IELTS score of at least 6.5 or (c) Duolingo score of 105.
*Students may be allowed to make up deficiencies or use equivalent undergraduate courses for these prerequisites. Students who have completed similar courses in these areas may be asked to provide both the course syllabus and completed course work to determine equivalency. Students should contact Dr. Jonetta Weber to discuss any questions regarding these prerequisites.
In exceptional cases, students not qualified for regular admission may be conditionally admitted.
We encourage anyone interested in our graduate program to apply, regardless of grade point averages from undergraduate work or previous graduate work. When making our admission decisions, we holistically consider GPAs alongside personal statements and letters of recommendation (and other materials), knowing that a low GPA can be offset by other personal strengths. We do, however, prefer individuals with undergraduate GPAs of 3.2 or above, and (if applicable) graduate degree GPAs of 3.5 or above. We also encourage anyone who is considering applying to our graduate program to visit our department and meet with our faculty members and current graduate students.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit to the Graduate Admissions Office:
- A graduate application
- Official copies of transcripts from all colleges attended (students with a foreign transcript must submit an evaluation of the transcript from World Education Services (www.WES.org) or Educational Credentials Evaluators (www.ECE.org)
- Two references (preferably from former instructors, and in sociology, if possible) in the form of a discursive letter of recommendation and completion of the Letter of Evaluation form
- A curriculum vitae or résumé
- TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores, if an international student
- A writing sample (e.g., senior-level course paper)
- A personal statement (500-750 words) addressing the points below and giving the department's Graduate Committee a basis for evaluating the student's interest in and ability to complete the program:
- Please explain your reasons for applying to the master's program in sociology at the University of Louisville.
- Discuss your professional or occupational objectives and how you envision the department’s program fitting into those objectives.
- Describe the areas of sociology you find especially interesting for study and/or research and identify the sociology faculty with whom you might be interested in working.
- Reflect on your experiences, skills, and/or knowledge related to your potential to engage in applied research in this graduate program.
Students may supplement their application file with GRE scores, but GRE scores are not required for admission.
Application Deadlines, Graduate Assistantships, and Joint MA-PhD Program
The application deadline for students not seeking funding is June 1 for fall admission. (Late applications may be considered on an individual basis.) The Department of Sociology does not admit students during the spring semester or summer.
The application deadline for students seeking funding (including graduate assistantships) is January 5 of the preceding year for fall admission. The materials must also be accompanied by a letter of interest (a) indicating that the applicant wishes to be considered for an assistantship, and (b) elaborating why the applicant is a good candidate for an assistantship. However, do note that funding is only available to master's-level students who apply and are admitted to the joint MA-PhD program in sociology or students admitted to the PhD-only program.
Students interested in pursuing both their MA and PhD in sociology at UofL can apply jointly to these programs; if admitted, they enter the MA program and, upon completion of their MA degree, move directly into the PhD program. (Students admitted to the joint program who complete their MA degree but, ultimately, choose not to pursue their PhD are still awarded the MA in sociology.) Students interested in applying jointly should select the ASOC (PhD in applied sociology) option on their application form but complete the application requirements for the MA program.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 604 | Proseminar in Sociology-MA | 1 |
| SOC 609 | Statistics I | 3 |
| SOC 615 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 618 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 622 | Survey Research and Design | 3 |
| SOC 655 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 691 | Topical Seminar in Sociology (topic will vary from year to year but focus on a social institution) | 3 |
| SOC 665 | Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| or SOC 675 | Social Inequality & Stratification | |
| or SOC 685 | Race and Ethnicity | |
| SOC 692 | Thesis Administration | 3 |
| SOC 693 | Thesis Analysis | 3 |
| SOC 695 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 34 | |
