College: College of Liberal Arts & Communication
Department: Sociology & CriminologyDESCRIPTION
The Department of Sociology & Criminology at Arkansas State University - Jonesboro offers a General M.A. Degree in Sociology and a M.A. degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Criminology. The program is designed to prepare students for entry into Ph.D. programs and provides skills and training necessary for employment as professional sociologists and in other related occupations.
Some M.A. recipients go directly into teaching at the community college or high school level. Others enter the corporate, non-profit, and government worlds as directors of research, policy analysts, consultants, human resource managers, and program managers. Some may become program directors in social service agencies. Some outstanding students go on to doctoral programs after earning the M.A. degree.
We are looking for students who are curious about the social world, academically dedicated, and committed to the examination of society.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.00, or a minimum of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work completed.
- A minimum of eighteen (18) undergraduate hours in Sociology.
- An overall minimum GPA of 3.00 in undergraduate Sociology courses.
- A minimum grade of B in the following undergraduate courses, or their recognized equivalents:
- SOC 2213, Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 3383, Social Statistics
- SOC 4293, Methods of Social Research
- SOC 4243 Social Theory
CURRICULUM
Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Graduate Bulletin.
THESIS OPTION
Students electing to complete a thesis may take six (6) hours of SOC 670V, Thesis, with the consent of the overseeing faculty member, in lieu of a corresponding number of hours of elective courses. (Note: receipt of credit for thesis hours is contingent upon successful completion and defense of the thesis.)
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE
A minimum of eighteen (18) hours for the degree must be in courses numbered at the 6000 level. All students must complete a capstone project for the degree. For the thesis option, this requirement is met by successfully completing and defending the thesis. Students not completing a thesis may apply to take the comprehensive exam after earning a minimum of eighteen (18) hours in the program, including SOC 6303, Contemporary Social Theory, and SOC 6343, Methods of Social Research.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Priority deadlines for admission and for consideration for graduate assistantship are May 1 (for Summer or Fall admission); November 1 (for Spring admission).
