The State University of New York at New Paltz offers a Master of Arts in Sociology. This thirty- six credit program provides training in an academic discipline that emphasizes the understanding of contemporary societies, their dynamics, and the relationship of social conditions to individual lives. Sociologists seek answers to questions about families, organizations and subcultures, and distinctive categories such as social classes, genders, races and ethnicities. The program is a broad-based one, designed to provide students with a societal perspective and the analytical and research skills to investigate modern social issues and problems.
Students earning an M.A. in Sociology may use this as a step towards completion of the Ph.D., which qualifies them for teaching and research positions at the university level, or they may elect to pursue the M.A. as a terminal degree. The M.A. in Sociology qualifies graduates for a broad range of mid- level positions in government, human services, and research agencies. Our graduates are working in such diverse fields as gerontology, health care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, evaluation research, college administrative services (e.g., student affairs, admissions, financial aid), social advocacy, and teaching at the community college level.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The program is open to both full-time and part- time students. Completion of the M.A. degree will require 36 credit hours. For a full-time student, this usually means three semesters of four courses per semester. For part-time students, the number of semesters will vary depending upon the credit load a student takes each semester. Whether a student attends full or part time, all requirements must be completed within six years after admission to the program.
The program includes six core courses required of all students completing the degree, and six electives. Electives include options for independent study (3 credits) or a thesis (6 credits). Core (required) courses are scheduled to allow students to complete all six in any given year. Electives are scheduled on a rotating basis, meaning that specific offerings will vary form year to year. The department may accept up to nine credits in appropriate course work from an accredited sociology program elsewhere.
To graduate, a student must maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average in all course work taken towards the degree, and successfully complete a comprehensive exam within the time limits specified above.
ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM
Applicants for admission to the M.A. in Sociology program must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited liberal arts college, and a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.
The following must be submitted to the Graduate School at SUNY New Paltz:
- Completed application for admission to the Master of Arts Program in Sociology.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
- Three or more letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's potential for graduate study. Academic instructors and recent employment supervisors are the most appropriate choices.
- A one-to-three page statement of personal goals and career objectives that includes why the applicant wants to pursue graduate study in sociology, a discussion of previous experiences (academic, work related, or personal) that led to this decision, and how he/she expects sociology to be relevant to his/her career.
APPLICATION MATERIALS AND DEADLINES
Applications are due February 15th for Fall admission, and October 15th for Spring admission. Application packets may be obtained from the Graduate School office. (See address below.)
FINANCIAL COST
FINANCIAL AID
Information regarding financial aid, part-time employment on campus, and application forms for financial aid may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid at (845) 257-3250.
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM IN SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIOLOGY:
The Department of Sociology at SUNY New Paltz together with the Rockefeller School of Social Welfare, SUNY-Albany, offer a jointly registered degree program culminating in both an M.S.W. in Social Work and an M.A. in Sociology. For the two degrees, students take a total of 72 or 75 credits (depending upon the concentration chosen). Classes are taken at BOTH campuses. Both degrees are fully accredited. For further information, contact the Graduate Office at SUNY New Paltz, and ask for the brochure on this program. Any questions about the Dual Degree Program, click here to read a few Frequently Asked Questions.
GRADUATE COURSES:
COURSE OFFERINGS
Core courses include the following:
87500 Social Structure & Change
87501 Sociological Theory
87503 Research Methods
87551 Social Statistics
87352 Social Policy
87552 Seminar in Sociological Issues
