MA/MS in Sociology

Portland State’s Department of Sociology currently offers a M.A. and M.S. in Sociology. We are also starting a Ph.D program in Health & Social Inequality in Fall 2008.
Our Master’s program is designed to take two years to complete:In Year I, which starts in the fall, graduate students take courses in sociological theory, quantitative and qualitative methods, and the design and execution of sociological research. They also take three elective courses related to their research interests. In Year II, students work with faculty and attend a writer's seminar to complete their thesis. Students write their thesis on a range of topics – such as criminology, stratification, globalization, medical sociology, neighborhoods (including gentrification), education, religion, and gender and race relations – oftentimes coinciding with our faculty’s research interests and projects.
Recent graduates have used their Master’s degrees from our department to teach at community colleges, enroll in Ph.D. programs in sociology and related fields, or work as researchers in the private and public sector.
The PSU Sociology department admits approximately 15 Master’s students each fall. We do accept students who do not have a B.A. or B.S. in sociology, but they are required to take sociological theory (SOC 301, formerly 470 at PSU) and sociological methods (SOC 397) before starting our Master’s program. Some of these 15 students receive departmental funding in exchange for working as a teaching assistant or research assistant. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide departmental funding to all students. Click here for some examples of other funding sources at Portland State.
The application deadline is January 15, 2008 for students who want to begin our program in Fall 2008. You can get a Graduate Information Packet in one of two ways: (1) download the Graduate Application on PDF Format (gradapp.pdf) using Adobe Acrobat Reader or (2) fill out our request form to have an application sent to your home or place of business.
Remember that you will still need to request a University application from the Office of Graduate Studies at Portland State University.

After reading the Graduate Information Packet, if you have questions please contact Professor Daniel Sullivan, Graduate Studies Director in Sociology, at dsulliva@pdx.edu.

Masters Requirements

  • Minimum of 55 graduate credit hours, including 26 credits in core sociology courses, 20 elective credits (8 may be in other departments) and 9 thesis credits.
  • Master's of Arts must satisfy the language requirement. Candidates for a MA degree must satisfy a demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language before degree completion. Foreign language proficiency is not required for MS degree.
  • Elective courses taken outside of sociology must be approved by student's advisor.
  • Students must be registered for at least 1 credit hour during the term in which the thesis is defended.
Required Courses Credit Hours
Soc 590 Social Research Strategies
4
SOC 591 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
4
SOC 592 Qualitative Methods
4
SOC 593 Quantitative Methods
4
SOC 594 Theory Construction and Research
4
SOC 595 Research Practicum
4
SOC 503 Thesis
9
SOC 513 Thesis Workshop
2
  5 electives (at least 3 in Sociology)
20
Total MA/MS Hours
55
 

Typical Two Year Program:

 

YEAR I
Term Course Credit Hours
FALL
 SOC 590 Social Research Strategies 4
SOC 591 Theoretical Perspectives in Soc 4
500 Level Elective 4
WINTER
 SOC 592 Qualitative Methods 4
SOC 593 Quantitative Methods 4
500 Level Elective 4
SPRING
 SOC 594 Theory Construction and Research 4
SOC 595 Research Practicum 4
500 Level Elective 4
TOTAL FOR YEAR I
36
YEAR II
Term
Course
Credits
Fall
 SOC 503 Thesis Credit (by arrangement) 4
SOC 513 Thesis Workshop 1
500 Level Elective 4
Winter
 SOC 503 Thesis Credit (by arrangement) 4
SOC 513 Thesis Workshop 1
500 Level Elective 4
Spring
 SOC 503 Thesis Credit (by arrangement) 1
TOTAL FOR YEAR II
19

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