The Generalist Track (M.A.)

How to apply for admission and a Graduate Teaching Assistantship

All students admitted to the M.A. program are admitted into the generalist track, which is designed to provide students with broad sociological training across an array of subfields and methods. With the guidance of the Graduate Director, students in this track will develop and pursue a plan of study consistent with their disciplinary interests and professional aspirations.

The MA degree requires 36 credits of graduate work. For the full-time student, the academic progression in this track will typically consist of:

Semester One:

  1. Successfully complete three sociology seminars (nine credits), as approved by the Graduate Director.
  2. Consult with the Graduate Director to develop a plan for semester two's seminars. All coursework must be approved by the Graduate Director.

Semester Two:

  1. Successfully complete three sociology seminars (nine credits).
  2. 2. Develop a plan of study in consultation with the Graduate Director and submit it to the Graduate College. The plan of study must be filed with the Graduate College before the completion of 18 credits of graduate course work.

Semester Three:

  1. Successfully complete nine credits of graduate course work as approved by the Graduate Director and specified in the plan of study.
  2. Revise the plan of study, if necessary.   An approved and accurate plan of study must be on file prior to the semester in which the student plans to graduate.

Semester Four:

  1. Successfully complete nine credits of graduate course work as approved by the Graduate Director and specified in the plan of study.
  2. Submit an application for graduation in the first three weeks of the term.

Required Courses For the Generalist Track: Students must complete 36 credits to receive their Master's degree, including an approved research methods course (three credits) and an approved theory course (three credits).    In most cases, the remaining 30 credits will be taken within the sociology department.   Students who wish to take courses outside the department will need the advance approval of the Graduate Director.  As the Graduate Director may need to consult with other members of the faculty, all such proposals must be made prior to the opening of advance registration.

sidewalk