Master of Arts in Sociology

Sociologists conduct research to understand the social forces that shape all of our lives, often in hopes of improving everyday life and the life chances of each person. Graduate studies in sociology provide the people skills and technical skills to organize information, communicate analytical research to academic and lay audiences, and prepare well-reasoned and carefully-written reports and documents that contribute to societal well-being. Our award-winning and internationally-known faculty successfully mentor graduate students to complete their studies and become established in their professional academic and nonacademic careers.
The Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law offers several programs of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Sociology, the Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society, the MA in Sociology, the MA in Criminology, Law and Society, and a Joint MA in Criminology/JD degree. The department also partners with the School of Natural Resources and Environment Department to offer the Ph.D. or MA in Interdisciplinary Ecology. Advanced undergraduate majors may complete a combination BA/MA degree in Sociology or a combination BA/MA degree in Criminology, Law and Society.
The graduate programs prepare students for scholarly research and teaching in colleges and universities or for applied research in nonacademic settings. The programs develop theoretical proficiency, research competency, and professional expertise. Programs are organized to provide required theoretical courses early in the graduate career. The curricula provide a sequence of required courses early in the graduate career in quantitative methods and advanced statistics, a sequence designed to provide basic competency in completing independent research. Sociology programs also require coursework in qualitative methods.

Admission to graduate study is competitive and is based on evaluation of the total record of the applicant: statement of purpose, career plans, letters of recommendation, and GPA. Applicants generally have an undergraduate major or MA in Sociology, or have an undergraduate major or MA in a related social science discipline with substantial coursework in sociology.
The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's reasons for undertaking graduate study in sociology, including both educational and personal experiences that have influenced the decision to attend graduate school. It should also describe the applicant's future career plans. The statement should identify a potential faculty mentor they would want to work with and describe the planned area of concentration within sociology if it has already been chosen.
The most useful letters of recommendation are from college instructors who can address the applicant's readiness to do graduate work in sociology.
Official TOEFL scores sent by ETS (code 5812)
Official transcripts for each undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree completed or in progress sent by the university or college where the degree was earned
Upload a copy of your CV or resume. Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or r'sum.
Upload a statement of purpose. You may send a longer statement of purpose to the Academic Assistant, Stephanie Hathcox.
Upload a writing sample.
For applicants with a bachelor's degree only, a minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours is required.
For applicants from countries where English is not the ofcial language, a minimum score on one of these English Language Skills tests, IELTS - 6.0,TOEFL IBT- 80, PBT- 550.