Masters of Arts Program

The Master of Arts degree normally requires two years of full-time work for completion. The master's degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and is offered under three different options:

(1) The thesis option

Designed primarily for students continuing on for a Ph.D. in sociology, or seeking a career in sociology

• Requires 12 hours of core studies (theory and methods), 12 hours of electives, and 6 hours of thesis work

(2) The non-thesis option

Designed to provide general sociological knowledge for students seeking careers in government, business, or non-profit organizations

• Requires 12 hours of core studies (theory and methods), 15 hours of electives and 3 hours of directed/independent study. The non-thesis option is completed with the M.A. comprehensive exam in theory, methods and a selected field of the student’s choice.

(3) The Master's in Social Analysis option

Designed to provide advanced research and analytical skills for students already employed, or those seeking careers in government, business, or non-profit organizations.

• Requires 12 hours of core studies (theory and methods), 15 hours of electives and 3 hours of directed/independent study

M.A. students must decide by the end of their second semester which option they will pursue.

Students completing their M.A. degree at K-State may carry their M.A. coursework over to the Ph.D. program at K-State. The M.A. degree counts for 30 credit hours in the Ph.D. program. The additional 30 hours of Ph.D. coursework still needs to be done, but covering the core theory and methods courses at the M.A. level opens up significant flexibility for elective studies in the Ph.D. program.

View more details in the Sociology Graduate Handbook (pdf).