Sociology

Program Description

The master of arts degree in sociology provides advanced training for work in specialized public and private organizations, undergraduate teaching, applied research, and preparation for continued education at the Ph. D level.  The Department of Sociology at The University of Montana offers an opportunity to pursue a masters of arts degree in General Sociology, Criminology, Inequality and Social Justice or Rural and Environmental Change.  All four of these emphases build upon a common set of courses in sociological theory and methods, with additional seminar and experiential learning opportunities.  The University of Montana and its neighboring environment and communities provide exceptionally interesting and dynamic settings for sociological study and research.  Nonetheless, graduate students in Sociology pursue research and policy analysis in both local and international contexts.  Many do so in conjunction with private and public agencies in the criminal justice system and in rural development and natural resource management fields.  We encourage an interdisciplinary approach.

The master of arts degree in sociology is available in both thesis and comprehensive study (professional paper) options. The thesis option prepares students for careers in teaching, research and advanced graduate study.  The comprehensive study/professional paper option is designed for students who desire a solid graduate-level grounding in sociology, especially with a strongly applied emphasis.

Degrees Offered

M.A. Sociology

Also offered are options in: Criminology
Rural and Environmental Change
Inequality and Social Justice
 

Requirements:
Thesis: 30 credits. Professional paper: 36 credits.

General Sociology: The general graduate program in sociology is designed to provide extended training in theory and methods and the application of theories and methods to social issues, problems and policies. While the curriculum allows students considerable freedom to pursue their own sociological interests, it is necessary that the student's interests draw upon the interests of a particular departmental faculty member.

Criminology: Criminology is a field of study within sociology which examines the making of law, the nature and extent of crime and criminality, and efforts to control crime. The criminology option prepares students for careers in criminal justice research or administration, as well as further graduate work at the doctorate level at another university.

Rural and Environmental Change: Rural environments, residents, and agencies are facing rapid social, economic, demographic and political change. This option will develop analytical and practical skills for understanding rural and environmental change globally and in the American West, and its policy implications in such areas as rural health, welfare and work; community development and assessment; Native peoples; and natural resource management. This option will prepare students for employment in either a government, private or non-profit agency concerned with the above topics, or for pursuing a doctorate in this area at another university.

Inequality and Social Justice:  The ISJ option investigates the mechanisms that produce and ameliorate the disparities across ascribed groups, calling on students and faculty to examine the causes and consequences of inequalities based on class, gender, race/ethnicity, disabilities, age, and sexual orientation. Attention is given to local, national, and global sites of inequality, including work and labor markets, financial institutions, education, health, religion, and families.

Admissions

1. Application Materials and Deadline

• Fall - Priority will be given to complete application packets received by February 15. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
• Spring - Priority will be given to complete application packets received by November15. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.

Complete application packet must be postmarked by February 15 to be considered for a teaching assistantship.

Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Sociology also requires:

• A personal statement clearly outlining your academic objectives.
• A writing sample exemplifying good grammar, sentence structure, organization and content (term paper or professional article).
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation.

2. Program Requirements for Admission

1.) a minimum grade point average of 3.3 during the last two years of undergraduate work;
2.) a combined score of at least 300 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the new Graduate Record Exam and a minimum score of 4 on the GRE writing component;
3.) the Sociology department does not accept GRE scores that are more than 5 years old;
4.) the letters of recommendation should be strong and clearly indicate your potential to complete a master's degree;

It is possible to be admitted even though you may not meet all the above criteria, but there must be compelling evidence of your ability to do graduate work. For example, if your GRE scores are somewhat lower than 300/4 but your GPA is exemplary, the Department may recommend admission.

3. International Students

• The TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB exam can substitute for the GRE.

• See information in the International Admission section on this web site.

Financial Assistance

For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Infomation section on this web site.

Teaching Assistantships

The Department of Sociology has a limited number of teaching assistantships available each year. Graduate students in these positions assist faculty with course instruction through leading discussion sections, delivering lectures and grading assignments. Assistantships for the coming academic year are awarded on a competitive basis in the spring. Full-time teaching assistants work approximately 15 hours per week for 15 weeks each semester of the academic year. In addition to their salaries, teaching assistants receive a tuition fee waiver (in-state or out-of-state) and a waiver of the registration fee. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Teaching assistants are required to register for 9 credits each semester.

Campus Location
Social Science Building, Room 333

Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
32 Campus Drive #5184
Missoula, MT 59812-5184

(406) 243-5281
Fax: (406) 243-5951

Graduate Program Coordinator
Daniel P. Doyle
(406) 243-5912
dan.doyle@umontana.edu

Program information last updated 8/12