Sociology

Graduate Degree Programs

Opportunities for graduate studies

The sociology graduate programs, including the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy, are designed to equip you for a career in academia and/or applied sociology (also known as sociological practice or clinical sociology). You will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members in educational and research areas such as social inequality and stratification; gender; race and ethnicity; health and illness; disasters; globalization and development; aging; demography; workplaces and organizations; family; and environment.

Emphasis in all of these programs is placed on the application of social science perspectives and tools to social problems and improving the quality of life. You are taught more than theories, facts, and figures. You will be developed into an independent thinker who is capable of conducting quality, innovative research in your area of interest.

The sociology Ph.D. program participates in a federated program with Texas Woman's University and Texas A&M University–Commerce. Doctoral students can take sociology courses at these institutions and apply them to their Ph.D. degree. This allows you to gain different viewpoints and new knowledge from sociology faculty and substantive areas of study.

Admission requirements

Master's program

You must apply for and be granted admission to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies through the graduate dean's office. A separate application process is required to be accepted by the sociology program.

Requirements of the department include:

• Acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required of all applicants. Scores must be filed before application review and final approval of an application can be given. (Visit www.unt.edu/soci, or contact the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies for information concerning admission test scores.)
• For unconditional admission to the master's program, you must have completed a minimum of 18 hours of sociology; have a grade point average of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of courses for the bachelor's degree and a GPA of 3.0 on all sociology courses

If the GPA requirement is not met, you may be considered for conditional admission. Conditional admission is granted based on a grade point average of 2.8 on the last 60 hours of courses for the bachelor's degree (or a GPA of 2.8 on all undergraduate work); a GPA of 2.8 on all sociology courses.

Additional course work may be required if you have fewer than the 18 hours of sociology (or their equivalent) required for unconditional admission.

Doctoral program

You must apply for and be granted admission to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies through the office of the graduate dean. The application process for the doctoral program is a separate process and requires acceptance by the sociology program.

Requirements of the department for unconditional admission include:

• a master's degree
• completion of a minimum of 18 hours of sociology, at least 3 graduate semester hours in social research methods, 3 graduate semester hours in an acceptable course on social statistics and 3 graduate semester hours of social theory
• at least a 3.5 GPA for master's courses
• acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). (See www.unt.edu/soci, or contact the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies for information concerning admission test scores.)

For possible conditional admission, requiring an appeal to the graduate school, you must have:

• a master's degree
• at least a 3.0 GPA for all master's credit
• acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination
• substantial alternative evidence of potential success in graduate studies.

Additional course work is typically required if you have fewer than the required number of hours and courses needed for unconditional admission. Outstanding undergraduates without the master's degree who meet all possible unconditional requirements may be considered for conditional admission into the doctoral program. The dean of the graduate school will notify you of admission to graduate studies and admission to the sociology program. Prior to enrolling for the first term/semester of doctoral work, you should consult with the department's graduate advisor to schedule courses for that term/semester.

Degree requirements

Master's Program

The required core courses include:

• Seminar on Research Methods and Design: SOCI 5200 or equivalent
• Seminar on Sociological Theory: SOCI 5150 or equivalent
• Introduction to Social Statistics: SOCI 5210 or equivalent

Thesis Option: This option is strongly encouraged for students planning to pursue the Ph.D. after completing the master's degree. With this option, students are required to complete the core courses, an additional 15 hours of substantive courses, and must write and successfully defend a thesis.

Non-Thesis Option: Students must complete 27 hours of courses in addition to the three core courses, and must, at the end of the program pass a comprehensive exam designed by their advisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is specially designed for those desiring to become independent researchers and/or instructors in higher education. Emphasis is placed on professional socialization, a thorough knowledge of sociological theory, methods, statistics, two substantive fields in sociology, and the ability to conduct innovative original research.

The minimum program for the Ph.D. in sociology consists of 90 hours beyond the bachelor's degree, plus up to 9 hours of a tool-subject; or 60 hours beyond the master's degree, plus up to 9 hours of a tool-subject.

The requirements are:

• A minimum of 12 semester hours in research methods and statistics
• A minimum of 6 semester hours in sociological theory
• A minimum of 12 semester hours in one of the department's three substantive concentrations (i.e., comparative and global sociology, health and illness, social inequality/stratification)
• A minimum of 12 semester hours in a second sociology concentration or a related minor field
• A minimum of 6 semester hours of electives
• A minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation
• A tool requirement or proficiency in a foreign language

Students may earn limited credit in cooperative education or in an internship as part of their Ph.D. course work. A student must carry a full load of 9 hours for any two consecutive terms/semesters to fulfill the doctoral residence requirement.

Under the direction of the advisory committee, the candidate must write a dissertation representing original research. The student must defend orally a written dissertation proposal that meets the approval of the student's advisory committee before the dissertation is written. The final written dissertation must be defended orally before the committee and approved by them.

Financial assistance available

The primary forms of financial support are assistantships in the department of sociology, scholarships, or financial aid.