Master of Arts in the Field of Sociology

Students in GW’s master of arts in sociology program receive a thorough grounding in sociological theory (classical and contemporary) and various quantitative and qualitative research methods. These core requirements are supplemented by substantive focus in three major fields: Inequality (race, class, gender, immigration, etc.), Urban Sociology, and Criminology. (The Department also offers an MA in criminology program.) The sociology program’s interdisciplinary emphasis is reflected in the availability of electives in other departments and through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Both the thesis and coursework allows students to gain hands-on experience conducting research and developing skills in data collection and analysis.

The Department’s dedicated faculty works with a small graduate student body, allowing for strong professional relationships among both the faculty and graduate cohort. Being in Washington, DC, expands opportunities for internships, jobs, research, and exposure to a diverse, vibrant, and engaging city and metro area. Financial aid is offered to select academically competitive students. Salary-only graduate teaching assistantships are available to many of our students—graduate assistant experience is an additional source of professional expertise. While most of MA students have undergraduate backgrounds in sociology or other social sciences, students from an array of fields, from finance to neuroscience, are welcome in the program.

Graduates of the MA in sociology program go on to research and social change work in the government, nonprofit, and business sectors, as well as pursue PhD and JD degrees.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Adminssion Requirements

Article	Requirement
Admission deadlines:	Fall – April 1 (February 1 for applicants applying for assistantships/fellowships)
	Spring – October 1
	Applications received after the above dates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Standardized test scores:	GRE not required.
	The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
	Minimum scores for the program are:
	- Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0; or
	- TOEFL: 550 on paper-based or 80 on Internet-based; or
	- PTE Academic: 53
	Applicants to the Master’s program who do not meet minimum English language requirements may be eligible for our full-time Applied English Language program.
Recommendations required:	Three (3) academic letters of recommendation
Prerequisite requirements:	A bachelor’s degree with a major in Sociology or in an approved related field.
Prior academic records:	Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
	If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.
Statement of purpose:	In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application. If you are applying for an assistantship or fellowship, you should also describe any teaching or research experience you have had.
Writing Sample:	Recent writing sample required. Please review the department Web site prior to applying: https://sociology.columbian.gwu.edu/.
International applicants only:	Please review International Applicant Information (https://columbian.gwu.edu/international-graduate-applicants) carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements.

For additional information on the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences – Graduate Admissions Office
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 215
Washington DC 20052

Contact:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
202-994-6213 (fax)

Hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

36 credits, including 15 credits in required courses, 9 credits in primary and secondary field courses, six credits in elective courses, and 6 credits of thesis.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
SOC 6230	Foundations of Research Methods
SOC 6231	Quantitative Methods
SOC 6232	Qualitative Methods
SOC 6238	Development of Sociological Theory
SOC 6239	Contemporary Sociological Theory
Electives
Five additional graduate-level electives from Sociology (SOC) must be taken. Students may substitute one or more appropriate graduate-level classes from other departments or in the consortium with the permission of their advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies.
SOC 6295 may be taken once (3 credits) toward degree requirements
Thesis (taken in the final two semesters)
SOC 6999	Thesis Research (taken twice for a total of 6 credits)