UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• A strong undergraduate record in sociology and related subjects
• 3.0 and higher GPA
• Applicants who do not hold a BA in sociology should have at least 18 semester credits or the equivalent in undergraduate sociology or another social science field related to program objectives
• Successful completion of undergraduate courses in sociological theory, research methods, and statistics preferred
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and/or graduate programs attended
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Recommendations must be from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s interests who are qualified to evaluate his or her potential for sustained graduate study in applied sociology
• When possible, at least one of the letters must be a faculty member with whom the applicant is studying or has studied
• 1200-word statement on academic and career interests in applied sociology, including the applicant’s desired specialization in the program
• Academic writing sample from coursework in sociology or related field
• Candidates for admission should indicate their interest for a graduate assistantship in their application
• The MA program offers a limited number of assistantships. Graduate Assistants receive a stipend in addition to tuition remission.

Deadlines: March 1 for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar's website

Core Courses (13 Credits)

• SOCIOL 600 - Foundations of Applied Sociology 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 604 - Classical Sociological Theory 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 650 - Meth Of Research I 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 651 - Quantitative Methods 3 Credit(s)
• SOCIOL 700 - Proseminar I: Introduction to Graduate Sociology 1 Credit(s)

Fieldwork or Internship Course (3 to 6 Credits)

• SOCIOL 610 - Teaching Sociology: Theory & Practice 3 Credit(s)
  or
• SOCIOL 698 - Field Work 3-6 Credit(s)

Capstone Course (6 Credits)

• SOCIOL 694 - Master’s Research Seminar 6 Credit(s)

Electives (12 to 15 Credits)

Complete 12 to 15 credits of electives in graduate SOCIOL or other courses chosen in consultation with the graduate program director.

Complete 37 credits from at least ten courses including five core courses, one field work or internship course, one capstone course, and three to five electives.

Capstone: Completion of a master’s paper or thesis or a comprehensive examination.
Residency: No more than six credits from courses outside the Sociology Department may be applied toward the program with permission of the graduate program director.
Statute of limitations: Five years.

Students will be able to:

• Apply theoretical concepts to empirical issues
• Analyze data to address a research question
• Design and execute a research project of their own

Graduate Program Director Elizabeth Brown
elizabeth.brown@umb.edu
(617) 287-6344

Graduate Program Coordinator Joy Solon
joy.solon@umb.edu

Applied Sociology Department
sociology.graduate@umb.edu