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.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

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

Contact:

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

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 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, 15 credits in substantive elective courses, and 6 credits in thesis. Students may substitute one or more appropriate graduate-level courses from other GW departments or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area with the permission of the advisor or the director of graduate studies.

Required
SOC 6230Foundations of Research Methods
SOC 6231Quantitative Methods
SOC 6232Qualitative Methods
SOC 6238Development of Sociological Theory
SOC 6239Contemporary Sociological Theory
Electives
Five additional graduate-level courses in Sociology (SOC) are required as electives. Students can substitute one or more appropriate graduate-level courses from other GW departments or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area with the permission of the advisor or the director of graduate studies.
One 3-credit enrollment in SOC 6295 Research can be taken as an elective with the permission of the advisor or the director of graduate studies.
Thesis
SOC 6999Thesis Research (taken for 3 credits in each of the final two semesters for a total of 6 credits. Permission of thesis director is required.)