Sociology - Graduate Programs
Objectives: M.A. in Sociology
The Master of Arts program in sociology is designed to provide students with a firm substantive background in sociological theory and in the techniques of contemporary research methodology and statistical analyses. In addition to these core concerns, the program offers a variety of seminars, as well as practicum opportunities, to help prepare students for a wide range of professional careers in both the private and public sectors or continued graduate education at the Ph.D. level.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships in Sociology
Graduate teaching and research assistantships and other forms of financial support will be awarded on a competitive basis. In addition to performance in any graduate courses the student may have taken, the same criteria used to determine admission status will be used in evaluating applications for such awards. No single factor, including standardized test scores, will be used to end consideration of any graduate assistantships.
Admissions Requirements: Sociology
All successful applicants must satisfy the basic graduate admission requirements of UT Arlington as outlined in the University Catalog in the Admissions section. The Sociology graduate program makes admission decisions based on several factors, including grade point averages, preparation in the field of Sociology or related disciplines, letters of recommendation, and statements of interest. There are four categories for acceptance: Facilitated Admission, Unconditional Admission, Probationary Admission, and Provisional Admission.
Facilitated Admission
Available to UTA graduates who have completed their BA from UTA within one year prior to admission. Applicants admitted through Facilitated Admission meet the following three criteria:
1) Overall UTA GPA of 3.5, as calculated by Graduate Studies.
2) Minimum GPA of 3.5 in last 60 hours, as calculated by Graduate Studies.
3) A grade B or better in SOCI 3372 (Sociological Theory), SOCI 3352 (Social Statistics), and SOCI 3462 (Social Research)
To apply for Facilitated Admission, contact the Director of Graduate Studies for Sociology.
Applicants who do not qualify for Facilitated Admission must apply on-line at www.applytexas.org
Letters of Recommendation must be mailed directly from recommenders to the Director of Graduate Studies for Sociology. Statements of Interest must be mailed directly from the applicant to the Director of Graduate Studies for Sociology.
Unconditional Admission
Unconditional Admission is available to applicants who have completed a BA or BS in Sociology or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
Applicants with undergraduate degrees from UTA admitted on Unconditional Admission meet the following three criteria:
1) Minimum GPA of 3.0, as calculated by Graduate Studies.
2) Two letters of recommendation that favorably assess the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program in Sociology.
3) A satisfactory 2-3 page statement of interest describing the applicant's academic background, research or study interests, and professional goals as they relate to the field of Sociology.
Applicants with an undergraduate degree from an institution other than UTA meet the three conditions above for Unconditional Admission plus the following condition:
1) GRE scores of at least 150 on the verbal sub-test (500 on the prior scale) and 144 on the quantitative sub-test (500 on the prior scale).
Probationary Admission
Probationary Admission is available to applicants who have completed a BA or BS in Sociology or a related discipline from an accredited institution but who do not qualify for Unconditional Admission due to a GPA below 3.0, as calculated by Graduate Studies. Applicants admitted on probationary admission meet the following three criteria:
1) GRE scores of at least 150 on the verbal sub-test (500 on the prior scale) and 144 on the quantitative sub-test (500 on the prior scale).
2) Two letters of recommendation that favorably assess the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program in Sociology.
3) A satisfactory 2-3 page statement of interest describing the applicant's academic background, research or study interests, and professional goals as they relate to the field of Sociology.
Provisional Admission
Provisional Admission is available to applicants unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline, but who otherwise appear to meet admission requirements. Provisionally admitted students must satisfy any incomplete documentation by the end of the semester in which they are admitted.
Deferral
An applicant may be deferred when a file is incomplete or when a denial decision is not appropriate.
International Students
To qualify for admission, international students must score 550 or above on the TOEFL.
Degree Requirements: Sociology
Students may select from three options: the non-thesis, thesis substitute, or thesis degree plan.
The Non-Thesis degree plan is designed for students who wish to complete a written essay synthesizing their coursework in response to one of two supplied prompts. The non-thesis degree plan requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 36 hours of coursework, including core courses in theory, methods, and statistics, and the three hour non-thesis course SOCI 5385. Non-thesis students must form a non-thesis faculty committee, consisting of a non-thesis chair and two additional members of the graduate faculty. Non-thesis degree seeking students are required to give a presentation on their written essay to their non-thesis faculty committee. The scope, content, and form of the non-thesis document must be approved by the student’s non-thesis committee chair.SOCI 5385.
The Thesis-substitute degree plan is designed for students who wish to complete an academic literature review, research design, or an internship report on a selected sociological topic of personal interest. The thesis-substitute degree plan requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 33 hours of coursework, including core courses in theory, methods, and statistics, and the three hour thesis substitute course SOCI 5393. Thesis-substitute degree students are required to write and orally defend a proposal for their thesis-substitute project in addition to writing and orally defending their thesis-substitute document. Thesis-substitute students must form a thesis-substitute faculty committee, consisting of a thesis-substitute chair and two additional members of the graduate faculty. The scope, content, and form of the thesis-substitute document shall be determined by the student’s thesis committee.SOCI 5393.
The Thesis degree plan is designed for students who wish to research and write a substantial, original empirical or theoretical work on a sociological topic of personal interest. The thesis degree plan requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 hours of coursework, including core courses in theory, methods, and statistics, and the six hour thesis course SOCI 5698. Thesis degree students are required to write and orally defend a proposal for their research project in addition to completing original research and writing and orally defending their thesis. Thesis students must form a thesis faculty committee, consisting of a thesis chair and two additional members of the graduate faculty. The scope, content, and form of the thesis shall be determined by the student’s thesis committee.SOCI 5698.
Dual Degree Program
Students in sociology may participate in a dual degree program where by they can earn a Master of Arts in Sociology and another field, such as Master of Public Administration or Master of Science in Social Work. By participating in a dual degree program, students can apply a number of semester hours jointly to meet the requirements of both degrees, thus reducing the total number of hours which would be required to earn both degrees separately. Six or more hours may be jointly applied depending on the total number of hours required for both degrees, and subject to the approval of graduate advisors from both programs.
To participate in the dual degree option, students must make separate application to each program and must submit a separate Program of Work for each program. Admission to and enrollment in the two programs must be concurrent (admitted to the second program before completing more than 24 hours in the first). Those interested should consult each of the appropriate graduate advisors for coursework requirements and refer to Graduate Studies catalog entry on Dual Degree Program in the Advanced Degrees and Requirements section for further details.
Fast Track Program in Sociology
The Fast Track Program allows outstanding undergraduate students in sociology at UT Arlington to take up to three graduate seminars in sociology that will earn credit toward both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree in Sociology. It is designed to encourage high standards of performance, to facilitate the transition from undergraduate to graduate study, and to reduce time needed to complete the MA . Interested undergraduate students should apply for the Fast Track Program when they are within 30 hours of completing the Bachelor’s degree. To qualify, students must have completed at least 30 hours at UTA with a GPA of 3.0 in all courses and 3.25 in the last 30 hours. Before entering the Fast Track, students must also have completed the four required core courses in the Sociology major with a GPA of at least 3.5, or three of the four with a GPA of 3.66 or more. Additionally, they must have already taken at least two non-core sociology courses with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Students who successfully complete the Fast Track Program will be admitted automatically to Graduate Studies to continue their graduate work in the Sociology MA Program once the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. They will not be required to take the GRE, complete an additional application for admission to Graduate Studies, supply letters of recommendation, or pay an application fee. An undergraduate student completing the maximum of nine graduate hours would be admitted to the Sociology MA Program with only five additional courses and a thesis remaining to complete the requirements for the thesis option.
To remain in the Fast Track Program, students must receive no grade lower than a B in any graduate seminars taken as an undergraduate, selected with the advice and approval of the Sociology Graduate Advisor. Undergraduate students who do not maintain grades of B or A in the graduate courses taken will be unable to continue in the Fast Track Program but, if the courses are completed passing, will still receive credit toward their undergraduate degree requirements. Students originally denied entry into the Fast Track Program, discontinued after provisional admission, subsequently dropped or opting out are still welcome to apply to the Sociology MA Program in the usual way and will be considered without prejudice.
For an application form or to obtain more details about this program, contact the Sociology Undergraduate Advisor.