Sociology M.A.

The Master of Arts in Sociology program provides students with pre-doctoral training as well as preparation for entry into governmental, nonprofit and private sector employment that deals with community development and organizing, social issues, social policy and social research. Students may choose between two culminating scholarly experiences: the thesis track, or a professional paper. Educational outcomes for our M.A. program include: development of scholarly and professional expertise in  familiarity with both classical and contemporary sociological theories, mastery of both quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis, the development of a sociological imagination, and cultivation of analytical research and writing skills which culminate in the ability to either author an independent thesis of substantial depth and quality or a professional paper. Graduate-level course work in sociology is restricted to students with graduate standing or graduate provisional status in the department, or to those students who have obtained prior written consent from instructors of specific courses in which enrollment is sought and from the graduate coordinator.

Admission Requirements

The annual deadline for applications is December 1. We only admit new students in Fall semesters. Prospective students must simultaneously apply for admission to the Graduate College and the Department of Sociology. See the UNLV Graduate College website for forms and additional information about how to apply to the Graduate College.

1. Applicants should have completed a minimum of 18 credits in sociology. These must include courses such as Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, Research Methods and Statistics. Applicants must have a GPA in sociology, and overall, of at least 3.00 to be accepted into the program.

2. An original copy of GRE scores on the General Exam (which must be less than 5 years old); there are no exceptions. Please note that instead of having minimum GRE scores, we consider GRE results as one among many indicators of your graduate success and evaluate them as one part of the overall application.

3. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00.

4. At least three letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members who can knowledgeably evaluate applicant’s ability to do graduate-level work. These should include comments on the applicant’s academic performance, motivation, character, and promise for success in the M.A. program.

5. A written statement of intent from the student explaining academic background, interests in sociology, and professional career goals.

6. An academic writing sample, preferably one that shows evidence of applicant’s written communication and analytical skills, as well as sociological imagination.

7. International students must take both the TOEFL and the Test of Written English and receive satisfactory scores on both.

8. Applicants interested in applying for a Graduate Assistantship, should indicate this in their written statement and submit the appropriate Graduate Assistantship Application form to the Graduate College (this form is available from the Graduate College). The department will consider all evidence listed above in evaluating the student for potential entry in the program.