Master of Arts in the Field of Sociology at George Washington University

Part of the social and behavioral sciences discipline in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the sociology graduate program provides students with a solid grounding in sociological theory and research methods. Students gain hands-on experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research and develop skills in data collection and analysis.

The MA program offers comprehensive coverage of the core areas of sociological theory and social research methods, along with a range of disciplinary substantive areas. Examples of courses include research methods, data analysis, qualitative methodology, field research in organizational settings, development of sociological theory and modern sociological theory. To graduate, all students must complete 30 credit hours and write a publishable thesis. Students are required to identify major and minor concentrations, selecting from the department’s three core areas: social stratification, criminology and urban sociology.

Training provided by experienced faculty members prepares students for further graduate work or immediate employment in social research positions, government agencies and related jobs. After completing the master’s program, students may enroll in a doctoral program in sociology. The Department of Sociology also offers a Master of Arts in criminology with the Forensics Sciences department, and a PhD in race, ethnicity and public policy through the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration. The department awards teaching assistantships on a competitive basis for students pursuing an MA in sociology.