Sociology

Master’s Degree Programs

Graduate opportunities

The aim of the graduate Sociology programs at the University of North Texas is to develop independent thinkers who are capable of conducting quality, innovative research in a particular area of interest.

By pursuing a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in Sociology, you learn to apply social science perspectives and tools to social problems thereby improving the quality of life. This equips you for a career in academia and/or applied sociology (also known as sociological practice or clinical sociology).

We offer flexible scheduling with many classes available in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate working professionals and other personal commitments. You can also work closely with faculty members in a wide variety of educational and research areas such as:

• Comparative and global sociology
• Demography
• Environment
• Family
• Gender
• Health and illness
• Race and ethnicity
• Social inequality and stratification
• Sociology of aging
• Sustainable societies
• Work and organizations

Our students often present their work at national and regional conferences and earn other recognitions for their research and teaching.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

The admission process is a two-step process. First, you will need to be admitted to the Toulouse Graduate School (see gradschool.unt.edu for admission requirements). Second, you will need to complete the sociology department’s application process, which requires a statement of purpose and four completed recommendation forms or letters of recommendation.

Unconditional admission to the program requires:

• Acceptable GRE scores on the verbal and quantitative sections (Scores must be on file before application review and final approval of an application can be given.)
• 18 credit hours of completed sociology courses
• A 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credit hours of courses for the bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 GPA on all sociology courses

If the GPA requirement is not met, conditional admission may be granted based on having either:

• A 2.8 GPA or higher on the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate courses
• A 2.8 GPA or higher on all undergraduate work plus a 2.8 GPA or higher on all sociology courses

Additional course work may be required if you have fewer than 18 credit hours of sociology courses (or their equivalent).

Degree requirements

Master of Arts and Master of Science Thesis option

• 9 credit hours of required core courses
• 15 credit hours of substantive sociology courses (6 credit hours may be in a minor in a related field)
• 6 credit hours of thesis and successful defense of thesis in lieu of comprehensive exam
• Reading knowledge of a foreign language (Master of Arts degree only)

This option is strongly encouraged if you plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Sociology.

Nonthesis option

• 9 credit hours of required core courses
• 21 credit hours of substantive sociology courses (up to 6 credit hours may be in a minor in a related field)
• Reading knowledge of a foreign language (Master of Arts degree only)
• Pass a comprehensive exam designed by the advisory committee

The graduate school will notify you about the admission decision to our program. We recommend completing the admission process by the last Monday in November in the year prior to the requested admission year to be eligible for all available financial assistance. Selected candidates will be invited to a retreat on the final weekend of January where they learn more about the program and meet some of the professors. Accepted applicants should consult with our Director of Graduate Studies for recommended courses before their first semester.

Financial assistance

The primary forms of financial support are assistantships in the Department of Sociology, scholarships or financial aid. To be considered for assistantships, you should submit all required admission materials to our department and the Toulouse Graduate School by the last Monday in November of the year prior to the requested admission year. Assistantships are announced at the January informational retreat.