Accelerated MA in sociology

Academic Program

The Department of Sociology offers a an accelerated master's program, which is designed to allow motivated and academically superior undergraduates the opportunity to earn graduate credit hours in sociology during their senior year. As undergraduates, accelerated students may earn between 6-9 credit hours (taking 2-3 graduate level courses), all of which are applied toward both the undergraduate degree, as well as the graduate degree, thus allowing students to begin the graduate program in sociology with credits already applied toward their MA degree.

The graduate courses taken during the student's senior year will depend on the courses the student has remaining to complete his/her undergraduate degree in sociology. The undergraduate advisor, Dr. Jonetta Weber, works individually with accelerated students regarding their course schedule. NOTE: Students in the accelerated program in sociology may only apply their graduate credits earned as an undergraduate toward the graduate degree in sociology at UofL.

Admission and Application

Applicants are examined using the following information in the admissions decisions:  GPA, two academic letters of recommendation, responses to a questionnaire, and an interview with the candidate.

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.

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted to the program, a student must have: an undergraduate GPA of 3.35 or better at the time of application.

Application Procedure

Students must apply during the first or second semester of their junior year (usually when they have earned between 70-80 hours) by submitting the following to the Graduate Admissions Office:

• a formal graduate application;
• two references (preferably from sociology instructors) in the form of a discursive letter of recommendation and completion of the Letter of Evaluation form;
• a curriculum vitae or resume.

Applicants must also submit to the Department of Sociology 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, as well as providing a sample of the student’s writing:

• Please explain your reasons for applying to the accelerated master's program in sociology. What are your professional or occupational objectives (including any study beyond the master of arts in sociology)? How does this department’s program fit into those objectives?
• What areas of sociology do you find especially interesting for study and/or research?
• What positions of responsibility and/or important accomplishments to date, including those in the academic or occupational areas, if any, have you had, and what, specifically, do you believe you have gained from such experience? (Those positions could include employment, participation or leadership in organizations or groups, or volunteer work, etc.)
• Please summarize your experiences, skills, interests, and/or knowledge related to your potential to engage in research methods in this graduate program.  (For example, what did you learn, do, and/or focus on for research-related courses or term papers?)

Contact Information

If you are interested in the accelerated master's program, please email Dr. Jonetta Weber, Director of Academic Services, or call her at (502) 852-8028.