Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 CSU East Bay Catalog 
    
2015-2016 CSU East Bay Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology, M.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study

Important Notice:

At this time, the Department is not accepting applications for the M.A. in Sociology. Please consult the Department for any changes.

Program Description

The Department of Sociology and Social Services offers graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Sociology with a capstone examination. The candidate is responsible for the fulfillment of the general requirements stated in this catalog as well as the specific requirements of the department stated below.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an M.A. in Sociology will be able to:

  1. write an original sociological analysis;
  2. understand the role of theory in sociology and how to apply key concepts in social analysis;
  3. employ quantitative and qualitative research methods in sociology.

Admission (“Classified Standing”)

The student should note that admission to the university as a post-baccalaureate student does not in itself constitute admission to the
department’s program. In general, the program is open to graduates of accredited institutions who have:

  1. completed coursework equivalent to that required in the lower and upper division core in Sociology at Cal State East Bay,
  2. achieved not less than a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate and undergraduate work,
  3. submitted to the department letters of reference from two former instructors who are familiar with the student’s academic work, and
  4. submitted a writing sample to the department. For “Classified Graduate” status, the student must have fulfilled the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.

In exceptional cases, a student who has earned less than a 3.0, but above a 2.5 grade point average, may be admitted to “Conditionally Classified Graduate” standing.

Maintenance of “Classified Graduate Standing”

To maintain “Classified Graduate” standing, a grade point average of at least 3.0 must be achieved in all courses taken in the approved program, whether taken at Cal State East Bay or at some other accredited institution. If a candidate’s grade point average falls below 3.0, the candidate shall be placed on probation at the end of that quarter. If while on probation the candidate fails to make progress toward raising his or her grade point average toward a 3.0, the candidate is subject to disqualification at the discretion of appropriate Cal State East Bay authorities. Disqualified students will not normally be considered for readmission to Cal State East Bay for at least one year after disqualification.

Advancement to Candidacy

A student who holds “Classified Graduate” standing may be Advanced to Candidacy for the master’s degree when the student has:

  1. Filed an approved program of study with the department;
  2. Completed at least 12 quarter units of approved graduate-level work beyond the baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or better;
  3. Been recommended for Advancement to Candidacy by the department.

Curricular Requirements (45 units)


Forty-five (45) quarter units of approved courses earned in graduate standing of which 32 quarter units must be completed in residence. With departmental approval, up to 12 quarter units of upper-division work required to remove undergraduate deficiencies can be counted toward the 45 quarter units required for the degree.

All Students must complete (A) and (B) and one of four options under (C). (Note: STAT 1000  is a prerequisite for STAT 3010 .)

B. Topics Seminars in Sociology (12 units)


C. Capstone Experiences (13 units)


Comprehensive Examination

  1. Electives chosen under advisement from upper-division courses and graduate seminars in Sociology, Statistics, Foreign Languages and/or closely-related fields (13)
  2. Area Comprehensive Examination (in three areas)
    1. Theory
    2. Methods
    3. Capstone paper (topic area elected in collaboration with supervising professor)

Before a student may take the Comprehensive Examination, (s)he must be Advanced to Candidacy. Failure to pass the examination twice results in dismissal from the program.

Upper Division Courses Acceptable for the Master’s Degree


All sociology courses in the 3000-4000 series are acceptable choices in the master’s program.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study