Master of Arts in Sociology
Wayne State's Master of Arts (M.A.) in Sociology prepares students for a Ph.D. program or professional careers through a challenging, comprehensive and integrated curriculum that trains students to theorize from a variety of sociological perspectives and analyze using a variety of methodologies.
The curriculum also focuses on advanced training in the specialty areas of race/ethnicity/gender, sociology of health and illness and global/transnational/comparative sociology. Our program offers two tracks: Plan A (thesis track) and Plan B (essay track). Plan B is a terminal M.A. degree. Students who elect the Plan B track have two choices: an M.A. in Sociology or an M.A. in Sociology with a Concentration in Applied Sociological Research Methodology.
Sociology program requirements and curriculum
The sociology master's degree requires students to satisfy the graduate program requirements and overall sociology program requirements. See the M.A. student handbook for more information.
- Plan of work
This sample plan of work represents one path to degree completion and does not guarantee graduation by the proposed timeline subject to student performance and class availability. Students are advised to meet with their advisor to develop an individualized plan of work.
Plan A thesis
Semester one
Course # Title Credits SOC 7200 Methods 3 SOC 6280 Statistics I 3 SOC #### Introduction to Graduate Studies 1 SOC #### Elective I* 3 Total 10 Semester two
Course # Title Credits SOC 6050 Social Theory 3 SOC #### Elective II* 3 SOC #### Thesis 2 Total 8 Semester three
Course # Title Credits SOC 7260 Qualitative Methods 3 SOC #### Elective III 3 Total 6 Semester four
Course # Title Credits SOC #### Thesis 6 Total 6 Plan B essay
Semester one
Course # Title Credits SOC 7200 Methods 3 SOC 6280 Statistics I 3 SOC #### Elective I* 3 Total 9 Semester two
Course # Title Credits SOC 6050 Social Theory 3 SOC #### Elective II 3 Total 6 Semester three
Course # Title Credits SOC 7260 Qualitative Methods 3 SOC #### Elective III 3 SOC #### Elective IV 3 Total 9 Semester four
Course # Title Credits SOC #### Elective V 3 SOC #### Essay 3 Total 6 Plan B methods track
Semester one
Course # Title Credits SOC 7200 Methods 3 SOC 6280 Statistics I 3 Total 6 Semester two
Course # Title Credits SOC #### Elective I 3 SOC 6290 Statistics II 3 Total 6 Semester three
Course # Title Credits SOC 7260 Qualitative Methods 3 SOC 7270 Analysis of Evaluation Data++ 3 SOC 7280 Analysis of Complex Sample Survey Data++ 3 Total 9 Semester four
Course # Title Credits SOC 7500 Advanced qualitative methods 3 SOC #### Internship (may be taken summer after year one or year two) SOC #### Essay 3 Total 6 * denotes students in the thesis track take three electives; the essay track takes five; the methods track is one elective. Students may take this elective in an alternate term.
+ denotes thesis credits may be split. We recommend two thesis credits in semester two; the last six thesis credits in the third
term or these may be split equally between the third and fourth semesters.++ denotes other methods classes may be considered, if they meet our criteria, in lieu of this course (e.g., mixed methods).
- Forms
- Master's proposal and final thesis defense summary
Students should work with their thesis advisor to finalize their proposal. Once the adviser approves the draft, the proposal is sent to the entire thesis committee for review. Faculty members are given a minimum of three weeks to read the document and give feedback, preferably in writing. The thesis committee should meet following this time period to discuss the proposal. The student is present at this meeting. This is not a formal defense; rather, it is an opportunity for committee members to give feedback to the student before beginning data collection.
Note: This pre-defense meeting is a change from our previous policy.
Following the meeting, two documents are submitted to the director of graduate studies: (1) Thesis Outline and Record of Approval (signed by student and advisor) and Approval of M.A. Thesis Proposal (signed by student and all committee members, indicating approval of the proposal). The director of graduate studies forwards the thesis outline form to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The approval of the M.A. thesis proposal form is maintained for internal department purposes solely.
Note: The approval of the M.A. thesis proposal form is new.
Final thesis defense
Students should work with their thesis advisor to finalize their thesis. Once the adviser approves the draft, the thesis is sent to the entire thesis committee for review. Faculty members are given a minimum of three weeks to read the document and give feedback, preferably in writing. The committee should meet following this time period to discuss the thesis and then decide whether it is defendable. The student is not present at this meeting. Only after all committee members agree that the thesis is defendable can an oral defense be scheduled.
Note: This pre-defense meeting is a change from our previous policy.
Pre-defense meeting
One of two outcomes is decided at the pre-defense meeting:
1) The committee decides to move forward with the thesis defense; the student makes revisions required by the committee, preferably provided to the student in a written summary based on the discussion at the meeting. The advisor works with the committee to schedule a defense date.
2) The committee decides not to move forward with the defense; if this is the outcome, then the process restarts. The student will work with their adviser and resubmit a revised thesis to the committee. Ideally, the student would provide the committee with a memo indicating the specific revisions (similar to a response memo for a manuscript) that were made in response to the committee's concerns and suggestions. The committee will then have a minimum of three weeks to read the revised thesis and decide if this version warrants a defense. If the committee deems the thesis acceptable, the advisor will work with the committee to schedule a defense date.
Following a successful defense, the final report with recommendations is submitted to the director of graduate studies, who forwards it to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (signed by student and advisor; committee member names and signatures are added in the comments section). The student and advisor also sign the thesis title page.
Defending the thesis and graduating in the same semester
If students wish to graduate the same term they defend their thesis, they must deliver a full draft of the written work to all committee members at least six weeks before the last day to defend in the semester in which they graduate. Failing to do so will not give committee members adequate time to read, comment, and approve moving forward with the thesis defense before the CLAS deadline. Keep in mind that students often have some revisions following the oral defense.
Concentration in Applied Methodology Research
Wayne State's Master of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in applied methodology prepares students to enter careers as research analysts. Students will receive instruction in advanced quantitative and qualitative methodology and gain first-hand experience in applied research and policy-related internships. Following their internship, students write an M.A. essay supervised by their faculty advisor that applies methodological and or statistical expertise to a problem identified by their internship supervisor.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand qualitative and quantitative sociological research methods and apply them to research design.
- Master qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques and relevant software programs.
- Write research proposals and analytical reports for submission to funding agencies and internship sites.
- Plan of work
Two-year plan: Students would take eight credits each semester.
- Term one: SOC 7200 and SOC 6280
- Term two: SOC 6290 and SOC 7260
- Term three: SOC 7270 and SOC 7500
- Term four: SOC 7280, SOC 7000 (internship)
- Term five: SOC 7999 (essay) (summer term)
Career insights
A degree in sociology can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Climate change policy analyst | $74,000 |
| Equal opportunity representatives and officers | $74,000 |
| Historian | $62,000 |
| Labor relations specialist | $72,000 |
| Social science research assistants | $52,000 |
| Sociologist | $63,000 |
| Sociology teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Contact 💬
For more information on our graduate programs, please contact socgraddirector@wayne.edu.