Sociology

Graduate Programs

Description

The Department of Sociology and Corrections offers graduate work leading to the Master of Arts in Sociology (General Emphasis) and Master of Arts in Sociology (College Teaching Emphasis); Master of Science in Sociology: Corrections and Master of Science in Sociology: Human Services Planning and Administration. All of these programs emphasize flexibility and individual attention by a broadly trained faculty with a diversity of interests and a commitment to real-world problems and solutions. 

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Sociology College Teaching MA MA - Master of Arts
  • Mankato
 33
Sociology Corrections MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
  • Edina
 33
Sociology General MA MA - Master of Arts
  • Mankato
 33
Sociology Human Service Planning Administration MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
 34

Policies & Faculty

Policies

General Admission Requirements

Students must meet the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research to be admitted to their program.

Admission Requirements for the Department of Sociology and Corrections

In addition to courses specific to each program, admission to the graduate programs in this department require a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the undergraduate degree. Applicants are also expected to submit

  1. 3 letters of reference
  2. resume or curriculum vitae
  3. statement of purpose
  4. sample of written work

Students not meeting the requirements may be admitted conditionally; such conditions to be determined by the program admission committee. Forms for the recommendations are available from the department. The application and transcripts should be sent to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. The letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae or resume, statement of purpose, and writing sample should be sent directly to the Department of Sociology and Corrections.

Admission to the Sociology MA program (General and College Teaching Emphasis)

In addition to the general admission requirements noted above, admission to the Sociology MA program requires 24 quarter credits or 18 semester credits of sociology including courses in sociological theory, research methods and statistics

Admission to the Sociology: Corrections MS program

In addition to the general requirements noted above, admission to the Sociology: Corrections MS program requires 24 quarter credits or 18 semester credits in the social and behavioral sciences including courses in sociology, criminology, penology and research methods or statistics.

Admission to the Sociology: Human Services Planning and Administration MS program

In addition to the general admission requirements noted above, admission to the Sociology: Human Services Planning and Administration MS program requires 24 quarter credit hours or 18 semester credit hours of social and behavioral sciences courses,

Contact Information

113 Armstrong Hall

Faculty

Chair
  • Luis Posas, Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator
  • Dennis Waskul, Ph.D.
Faculty

500 Level

Credits: 3

Introduces students to central topics in medical sociology including: social factors responsible for people's health outcomes; social construction of health illness; health inequalities; evolution of the social institution of medicine; and/or issues realted to race/ethnicity, social class and gender.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Social and social-psychological forces in later life. Problems and prospects of growing old in the United States.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Study of the structure of human response to death, dying, and bereavement in their socio-cultural, interpersonal, and personal context. Formation of children's perception of death, functions of the funeral, euthanasia, and suicide are among the topics to be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The course will acquaint students with dynamic forces operating in the field of population and development. Includes an introduction to basic theories and techniques of population analysis, with coverage of global economic forces: fertility, morality, and migration. The causes and consequences of overpopulation are discussed with special attention to resource depletion and food shortages.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Examines various forms of family violence, including dating violence, spouse abuse, and child abuse; reviews social theory and empirical research and explores social policy, appropriate responses, and possible solutions.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Implications of sociological knowledge for the administration of Human Services programs. Theoretical and practical aspects of administration with the social service systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Applies sociological theories of identity to the experiences of women being released from prison. Taught at the women's prison in Shakopee, Minnesota and integrates MSU students with students drawn from the educational program within the women's prison in Shakopee.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Analysis of the development, structure, and functioning of social processes in large-scale, formal organizations.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Survey of major sociological perspectives on social movements, including theoretical approaches and empirical research on the causes, processes, and outcomes of social movements.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Overview of the role of the United States in an increasingly globalized society with a focus on economic and political inequality, the class structure, the labor process, race and gender relations, the global dimensions of capitalism, and modern crisis tendencies.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Sociological perspectives on social deviance; overview of theoretical approaches; emphasis on symbolic interactionism; issues of social control; research examples and policy implications.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A critical consideration of myths concerning crime, perspectives on crime and their assumptions, current criminology theory, and construction of alternative explanations related to crime.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Study of minority racial and cultural groups in US society. An examination of how the lives of the members of these groups are affected by racism, prejudice, and discrimination.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An overview of sociological theory that surveys the classical tradition and emphasizes contemporary theories including functionalism, conflict theory, rational choice theory, and symbolic interactionism, as well as recent trends in theoretical developments.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Examines the sociological relationship between people and the environment including: ways various societies view the environment, social changes from ecological degradation, and solutions to environmental problems. Topics may include a sociological analysis of climate change, agriculture, and resource extraction.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A survey of sociological theory and research on the ecology, demography, and social organization of the urban community. Presents a sociological interpretation of the development of urban society and how the process of urbanization affects the basic societal institutions and individual behavior.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An overview of the causes, processes and consequences of social stratification in society. Includes an overview of classical statements about stratification and focuses on social inequalities rooted in social class structures, the organization of political power, and social hierarchies based on race and gender differences in society.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Addresses aspects of criminal and civil law pertinent to substance abuse.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will address theoretical and practical aspects of the planning and evaluation process within social service systems. Evidence-based methods of developing programs and measuring their effectiveness in the human services will be addressed.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Techniques of survey research, interview, and questionnaire construction, field administration, and sampling methodology.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Examination of ethnographic methodologies in sociology with emphasis on analytic, performance, and autoethnography. Exploration of ethics in ethnography, visual sociology, and first-hand experience in both crafting and presenting ethnographic works.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Participant observation, focused interviews, and qualitative analysis; students actively participate in a field research project.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Analysis of social forces and processes involved in changing norms, values, and structures in traditional and modern societies. Examines both planned and unplanned change.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An examination of theory development and research findings about family systems with a special emphasis on societal influences (social, economic, political) on the changing family.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Analysis of the structures, functions, and origins of religion, its relationship to other social institutions, and its role in modern secular society. Examines processes of individual religiosity and explores current religious movements and trends.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2-6

Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic varies.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Workshop topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Applying sociology to create a career and make the world a better place. Explores how to investigate and implement solutions to problems of social process and social organization in workplace or other settings including community agencies, government, business, and other social institutions.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 1-4

Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be repeated for credit if topic varies.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Macro-analysis of society as a system. Examines cultural, structural, behavioral, and ecological patterns of organization. Includes a focus on complex organizations.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A survey and analysis of major scientific approaches to human social behavior.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Appreciation of basic multivariable methods in the analysis of sociological data. Includes computer applications using SPSS and application to various social issues.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced-level introduction or review of social science research methods, including entire research process: problem definition, literature review, hypothesis development, method development, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication; focuses on quantitative methods.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An overview of sociological theory that spans the classical and contemporary traditions within the discipline and focuses on current theoretical issues and controversies within the field.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Quantitative and naturalistic paradigms as a knowledge base for program evaluation. Examines the social context and implication of evaluation to discuss mode and ethical considerations. Includes applied contribution of empirical research and current issues and trends.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Exploration of intellectual craftsmanship, existing models of thesis scholarship, the generic elements of the thesis, the writing process, and common obstacles to thesis completion in a collaborative and supportive context designed to foster significant progress on the thesis project throughout the semester.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

An overview of pedagogical philosophies and approaches, course design, and practical skills for day-to-day classroom teaching to develop both effectiveness and excellence in teaching sociology. Includes development of teaching portfolio.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

A maximum of six credits is applicable toward a degree program.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-2

Preparation of an alternate plan paper under supervision of the student's graduate advisor. Prereq: must be enrolled in the MS program in Sociology.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

The internship in college teaching is designed to provide opportunity to acquire supervised teaching experience in the college classroom and to explore a career in college teaching. It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and identify areas in which further growth is needed.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-12

The internship is designed to provide opportunity to apply classroom learning, to practice and enhance skills, to experience professional socialization, and to explore a career. It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and identify areas in which further growth is needed.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

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Prerequisites: none