Sociology (MS)

Mission Statement

The mission of the graduate sociology program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is to prepare students who complete our program with the knowledge and the technical expertise to be effective specialists, analysts and administrators in a variety of social settings, such as federal, state and local government agencies, school districts, community health and aging organizations, marketing firms and evaluation programs. The program offers a curriculum with strong emphasis on methods, statistics and theory that prepare students seeking to continue their studies to succeed in doctoral programs in sociology.

In order to accomplish our mission, the department pursues excellence in teaching, research and professional service, and provides students with research and classroom teaching experience. Our mission is consistent with the mission of the University.

General Overview

Candidates for the master’s degree may choose a general sociology focus, a concentration on inequality and poverty (including Mexican-American society and border and inter-American issues), a concentration on health and aging (including such topics as health care research and analysis, health care systems, research methods).

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in sociology, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
  4. Two  letters  of  recommendation  from  professional  or  academic sources.
  5. Personal  statement  detailing  professional  goals  and  reasons  for pursuing the graduate degree.

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

To receive the Master of Science degree in sociology, a candidate must complete a total of 36 hours of graduate study, including 12 hours of core requirements. The writing of a thesis is optional for receiving the degree. Students choosing the thesis option are required to complete 36 hours of graduate study, including 12 hours of core requirements and six hours of thesis.

Students may select three to six hours of approved graduate electives from other disciplines.

Required Courses (12 Credits)

SOCI 6300Statistics

3

SOCI 6301Social Theory

3

SOCI 6302Research Methods

3

SOCI 6304Research Capstone

3

Choose one of the following options:

Thesis Option:
Designated Electives (18 Credits)
Chosen from the following:
SOCI 6310Social Change

3

SOCI 6315Special Topics

3

SOCI 6325Sociology of Sports

3

SOCI 6326Health Research and Policy

3

SOCI 6327Aging and the Life Course

3

SOCI 6328Sociology of Globalization

3

SOCI 6329Mass Communication

3

SOCI 6330Social Psychology

3

SOCI 6331Disasters and Society

3

SOCI 6344Demography

3

SOCI 6345Social Stratification

3

SOCI 6350Sociology of Education

3

SOCI 6353Sociology of Deviance

3

SOCI 6354Family and Society

3

SOCI 6358Sociology of the Economy

3

SOCI 6361Race and Ethnic Relations

3

SOCI 6362Mexican American Society

3

SOCI 6363Border Studies

3

SOCI 6364Gender & Society

3

SOCI 6365Society and Culture of Latin America

3

SOCI 6376Directed Study

3

Capstone Requirement (6 Credits)
Thesis
SOCI 7300Thesis I

3

SOCI 7301Thesis II

3

Non-Thesis Option:
Designated Electives (24 Credits)
Chosen from the following:
SOCI 6310Social Change

3

SOCI 6315Special Topics

3

SOCI 6325Sociology of Sports

3

SOCI 6326Health Research and Policy

3

SOCI 6327Aging and the Life Course

3

SOCI 6328Sociology of Globalization

3

SOCI 6329Mass Communication

3

SOCI 6330Social Psychology

3

SOCI 6331Disasters and Society

3

SOCI 6344Demography

3

SOCI 6345Social Stratification

3

SOCI 6350Sociology of Education

3

SOCI 6353Sociology of Deviance

3

SOCI 6354Family and Society

3

SOCI 6358Sociology of the Economy

3

SOCI 6361Race and Ethnic Relations

3

SOCI 6362Mexican American Society

3

SOCI 6363Border Studies

3

SOCI 6364Gender & Society

3

SOCI 6365Society and Culture of Latin America

3

SOCI 6376Directed Study

3

Capstone Requirement

Completion of Research Project from SOCI 6304

Total Credit Hours: 36