Sociology (MA)

Master of Arts in Sociology (SOCIMA)
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Sociology
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): SOCIMA

Program Information

The Department of Sociology, in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers graduate training leading to the Master of Arts in Sociology. The 34 credit hour program of study seeks to provide graduate education at the highest standards, introducing students to the current state of sociological knowledge and methods through quality classroom instruction, faculty-student collaboration, and independent student research and practical learning opportunities.

The program is designed to prepare students for the pursuit of a PhD in sociology or for moving directly into the workforce for a career in government, nonprofits, or the private sector.

The Department of Sociology offers a master’s degree in sociology, a doctoral degree in applied sociology, and a joint master’s-doctoral degree in sociology which allows a student to be admitted to the master’s program and, upon completion, enter the PhD program without having to re-apply.

Admissions Requirements

We are committed to a holistic review of applications, considering course grades and GPA(s) alongside writing samples, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. However, admission into our program requires:

For the MA or joint MA-PhD:

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative GPA of 3.2.
• Previous undergraduate coursework (and minimum grades) in statistics (B+), research methods (B), and social theory (B).  (Students may be allowed to use equivalent courses for these prerequisites and should provide a course syllabus for the Department to review.)
• If an international student, either a TOEFL score of 213 (on computer-based test) or 79-80 (on the internet-based test), an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or Duolingo score of 105.

For the PhD:

• A graduate degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.5.
• Previous graduate coursework in sociology and coursework in statistics, research methods, qualitative research methods, and survey research methods.  (Students may be allowed to use equivalent graduate courses for these prerequisites and should provide a course syllabus for the Department to review.)
• A completed thesis (or original independent work of research) from another accredited graduate program from which the student has graduated.
• If an international student, either a TOEFL score of 213 (on computer-based test) or 79-80 (on the internet-based test), an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or Duolingo score of 105.

In exceptional cases, students not qualified for regular admission may be admitted conditionally.  The Department will consider student applications for nondegree status on a case-by-case basis.

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit to the Graduate Admissions Office:

• A graduate application.  (Directions for applying, submitting the following materials, and application fee information can be found here.)
• Official copies of transcripts from all accredited colleges/universities attended.  (Students with international transcripts must abide by the Graduate School’s requirements found here.)
• Two letters of recommendation if applying to the MA program and three letters if applying to the joint MA-PhD or PhD program, preferably from former instructors and in sociology, if possible.  (Those serving as references should complete the online recommendation form emailed to them once the student has started an application and include a discursive letter of recommendation to that same site.)
• A curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Proof of English language proficiency in the form of TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo, if an international student for whom English is not their native language.  (A list of countries for which proficiency scores are waived, as well as other information for international students, can be found here and at the University’s International Center webpage).
• A writing sample, such as a senior-level course paper (if applying to the MA or joint MA-PhD program) and either the student's written thesis or another completed original independent work of research (if applying to the PhD program).
• A personal statement (500-750 words) addressing all of 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:

For the MA or joint MA-PhD:

• 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.

For the PhD:

• Please explain your reasons for applying to the doctoral 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.

NOTE:  Applicants must identify in their personal statement one or more of our faculty with whom they would like to work; however, individual faculty are not involved in selecting applicants nor does our department operate with research teams under the supervision of a particular faculty member, so applicants do not need to seek permission from individual faculty prior to applying and should direct all inquiries to the Graduate Program Advisor.

Students may supplement their application file with GRE scores, but GRE scores are not required for admission. 

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for fall admission is January 5 for those wishing to be considered for department funding (e.g., graduate teaching or research assistantships) and June 1 for those not seeking funding.  For the PhD program, the application deadline for spring admission is October 15 whether seeking funding or not.  (There are no spring admissions into the MA or joint MA-PhD program and no summer admissions into any programs in sociology.)

Funding Opportunities

Only applicants to the joint MA-PhD program or the PhD-only program are eligible for funding.  Students wishing to be considered for funding should submit a letter of interest addressing why they would be a good candidate for an assistantship as described here.

Program Requirements