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Sociology, M.S.

Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Sociology provides students with the analytic and administrative skills to advance in leadership positions in the public, private and government sectors. The program is distinctive in its blend of academic and practical skills.

Combining outstanding scholarship and practical experience, Saint Louis University's sociology faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge research and bring this expertise to the classroom to enrich the educational experience of students. Courses are taught by interdisciplinary faculty from sociology and public policy who integrate the theory, practical experience and empirical skills needed in 21st-century organizations.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's M.S. in sociology degree requires a total of 30 credits of graduate study with a minimum of 24 credits of coursework. The M.S. can be completed either through a thesis or non-thesis track. The thesis track includes up to six thesis credits while the non-thesis track includes six additional credits of coursework.

Graduate Handbook

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Through teaching, research and service, sociology students at SLU examine different ways people relate to one another through the organization of society and how it influences lives. SLU's M.S. degree in sociology trains students to identify and document insights into these social processes and structures in their careers. Students explore large- and small-scale organizations, families, beliefs and social classes with opportunities for hands-on experience in the St. Louis area.

Careers

Sociology graduates can pursue careers as market research analysts, nonprofit administrators, policy analysts or managerial and policy positions such as program evaluators, researchers, program directors or policymakers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the 2020 median annual salary for market research analysts as $65,810, and employment of market research analysts is projected to increase by 18% by 2029.

91ÖÆƬ³§ Requirements

Successful applicants possess 3.0 or higher GPA and sufficient TOEFL scores (for international applicants).

Application Requirements

  • Application form and fee
  • Transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
  • Professional goal statement

Requirements for International StudentsÌý

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
  • Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.Ìý
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee members.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.Ìý

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

  1. Graduates will be able to critically assess sociological literature and sociological theories.Ìý
  2. Graduates will be able to appropriately apply major research methodologies utilized in sociology.Ìý
  3. Graduates will be able to apply the sociological imagination to the study of social issues in a broader societal context.Ìý
  4. Graduates will be able to clearly articulate scholarly research activity, for professional and/or general audiences, in written, oral or visual formats.Ìý
  5. Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly and/or professional ethical integrity in their research of social issues.Ìý
Required Courses
³§°¿°äÌý5015Quantitative Research Methods3
³§°¿°äÌý5600Research Methodology3
³§°¿°äÌý5990Thesis Research6
³§°¿°äÌý6320Organization Theory & Behavior3
Concentration or Elective Courses15
Select a Concentration or 15 credits from the elective list
Urban Social Policy Concentration
Health and Social Policy Concentration
Sociology Electives
³§°¿°äÌý5530
Urban Ethnography
³§°¿°äÌý5540
Environmental Impact of City
³§°¿°äÌý5550
Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations
³§°¿°äÌý5610
Death Investigation
³§°¿°äÌý5640
Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy
³§°¿°äÌý5650
Principles and Methods of GIScience
³§°¿°äÌý5660
Intermediate GIS
³§°¿°äÌý5670
Spatial Demography – Applied Spatial Statistics
³§°¿°äÌý5750
Qualitative Analysis, Grounded Theory Method
³§°¿°äÌý5800
Survey Design & Sampling
³§°¿°äÌý5850
Policy Evaluation and Assessment
³§°¿°äÌý6100
Regression Analysis & Non-linear Models
³§°¿°äÌý6200
Urban Social and Political Theory
Total Credits30

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Urban Social Policy Concentration

³§°¿°äÌý5540Environmental Impact of City3
³§°¿°äÌý5550Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations3
³§°¿°äÌý6200Urban Social and Political Theory3
SOC Electives (from list above)6
Total Credits15

Health and Social Policy Concentration

³§°¿°äÌý5550Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations3
³§°¿°äÌý5610Death Investigation2
³§°¿°äÌý5640Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy3
³§°¿°äÌý6275Health and Social Sciences3
SOC Electives (from list above)4
Total Credits15

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
³§°¿°äÌý5015 Quantitative Research Methods 3
³§°¿°äÌý6320 Organization Theory & Behavior 3
ÌýCredits6
Spring
³§°¿°äÌý5600 Research Methodology 3
Concentration Elective 3
ÌýCredits6
Year Two
Fall
³§°¿°äÌý5990 Thesis Research (or Concentration Elective) 3
Concentration Electives 6
ÌýCredits9
Spring
³§°¿°äÌý5990 Thesis Research (or Concentration Elective) 3
Concentration Electives 6
ÌýCredits9
ÌýTotal Credits30

For more information about our program, please contact:

Ness Sandoval, Ph.D.
Graduate program coordinator
Department of Sociology
ness.sandoval@slu.edu