Master of Science in Sociology - Health and Aging

Our Health and Aging area offers courses focusing on medical sociology, caregiving in later life, sexual health, successful aging, health over the life course, race/ethnicity and health, stress and mental health, gender and mental health, families and the life course, sexual and reproductive health, social epidemiology, health and aging, neighborhoods and health, and data analysis for public health. Eight of our faculty are affiliated with this area of concentration: Barrett, Burdette, Carr, McFarland, J. Taylor, M. Taylor, Ueno, Waggoner. They have published research on subjective aging, gender and depression, infant mortality, cancer, disabilities across the life course, how race, class, gender, and sexuality shape health outcomes, neighborhood and religious correlates of health and illness, how education affects health from birth to death, veterans mental and physical health, and the political/cultural construction of genetics, allergies, and maternal health.

Minimum admission requirements are established by the State of Florida and enforced by Graduate School. Our admissions committee selectively admits about 10 new graduate students each year. A minimum GPA of 3.0 during the last two years of undergraduate study is required and a background in sociology and doing well in an undergraduate statistics course is desirable. All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, an official copy of all transcripts, a writing sample, and a statement of purpose. Our committee evaluates each applicant's entire file holistically in making admission decisions. Strong letters of recommendation, a clear and focused personal statement, research interests that fit with faculty expertise, and an exemplary academic writing sample are at least as important as other factors.
Personal Statement: Upload a 2-3 page statement that highlights your relevant training and experiences, your sociological interests and career goals, and why our department is the right place for you to continue your education.
Academic Writing Sample: Upload a copy of a sole-authored paper, such as an undergraduate course paper, an honor's thesis, Master's thesis, or publication. The paper should showcase your writing abilities, demonstrate critical thinking skills, and reveal your potential to succeed in our graduate program.
Transcripts: Upload copies (unofficial is fine) of undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
English Proficiency Score for International Applicants: Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. Upload a copy of your exam score. Any of these exam scores are accepted.
TOEFL with a minimum of 550 paper, 213 computer, or 80 Internet based
Cambridge C1 Advanced Level with a minimum score of 180
Michigan Language Assessment with a minimum score of 55
Duolingo with a minimum score of 120
Recommendation Letters. Provide the contact information of three academics who have agreed to write letters of recommendation. We will email them instructions about how to upload their letters.
International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): 6.5