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MA

Master's Degree Program

The University of Oklahoma Department of Sociology offers a Master’s Degree in Sociology. We designed this program to be completed in 2 years and to provide rigorous theoretical training in graduate level sociology/criminology, state-of-the-art approaches towards social scientific research methods, and a strong foundation in producing publication quality sociological/criminological research. Those who complete this degree will be well positioned to pursue a PhD in sociology, criminology, or related fields as well as be in a competitive position for a non-academic research jobs both at the local and national level.

Graduate Applications Due December 15th

Why Complete an MA Degree in Sociology?

The MA degree in Sociology is centered on providing students with a wide variety of tools to produce high quality academic and non-academic social scientific research. This degree will focus on building a strong foundation for research, starting with a blank slate and moving students towards producing publication quality work. Students who have completed our MA degree have gone on to pursue PhD degrees in our department as well as other highly ranked sociology departments such as Duke, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Georgia, and Colorado as well as criminology departments such as the University of California-Irvine and University of Maryland. Many of our MA graduates also go on to work as researchers in a wide variety of public and private agencies including the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.


Curriculum

Complete 34 hours of graduate course work

  • Sociological Theory - 3 credit hours
  • Social Research Methods - 3 credit hours
  • Three Course Social Statistics Sequence - 9 credit hours
  • Professionalization Seminar - 1 credit hour
  • Master's Thesis Research - 3 credit hours
  • Elective Coursework - 15 credit hours

12 or more hours must be housed in the Department of Sociology at the 5000-level or above. The remaining 3 hours of electives may be Directed Readings (SOC 5960), a cross-listed course housed outside the department or another course outside the department.


Basic Timeline to Complete MA Degree

MA Year One

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fundamentals of Social Statistics (5283)Advanced Regression Analysis (5483)
Sociological Theory (5933)Advanced Methods of Social Research (5293)
Professionalization Seminar (5821)Graduate Elective Course
Graduate Elective Course 
  • Apply for Summer Research Funding in April
  • Chose an MA Thesis advisor and begin discussing thesis and MA

MA Year Two

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Cat, Panel, and Advanced Soc Stats (5683)Research Hours for Master's Thesis (5980)
Graduate Elective CourseGraduate Elective Course
Graduate Elective Course 
  • Form MA Committee by September
  • Defend MA Proposal by November
  • Apply to graduate in January
  • Defend Thesis by mid-late April

Funding

We strive to provide up to 2-years of funding to most of our MA students through graduate assistantship positions. This includes a monthly stipend (for 9 months), a tutition wavier, and student health insurance. We also offer competative opportunities for summer funding through our Grasmick/Riddle Summer Research Fellowships. To assist with travel to national and international conferences, the department and university also provide travel grants to graduate students who are presenting their own research.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying to our graduate program, please download our application packet. 

If you have any additional questions about the program or the application process, contact Dr. Cyrus Schleifer, the graduate director, at cyrus.schleifer@ou.edu or (405) 325-3647.


Master's Degree Application Requirements

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Three Recommendation Letters
  • Writing Sample
  • College Transcript(s)

The department requires and up-to-date GRE general exam score for all applicants for either our PhD or MA degree. The requirement cannot be waived by the department.

Additionally, the department is unable to waive the application fee for any graduate applicant apllying for admission to OU.