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2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Sociology


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Lala Carr Steelman, Chair



Overview

The Department of Sociology offers a program of study that provides students with a thorough grounding in the theories and research methods of the discipline. Students with a B.A. or B.S. should apply to the Masters program only. Students with post-graduate degrees should apply to the Ph.D. program. Emphasis is placed on training students to apply theories and research methods while conducting empirical inquiry. Courses are taught, and students are mentored, by a faculty composed of nationally and internationally recognized scholars. The research specialties of the faculty span several areas. It is expected that the master’s and dissertation research projects of students will be carried out in specialty areas that fall in the purview of the faculty’s expertise. A description of the graduate program, including the specialty areas of each faculty member, is provided at www.cas.sc.edu/socy. Our graduates pursue careers in a wide range of academic and nonacademic fields. Graduates of the master’s program often find employment in government agencies or in private firms that require professionals with research skills and experience in data management. Graduates of the doctoral program also work for government agencies and in private firms, but many accept appointments at universities and colleges.

Admission

Applications should be submitted to The Graduate School, University of South Carolina, 901 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29208. Baccalaureates should apply to the M.A. program. Additionally, applicants must send a letter describing their academic interests and an example of recent written work to Director of the Graduate Program Committee, Department of Sociology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. Other materials that will be helpful in evaluating the application may be included. Electronic applications are available at www.gradschool.sc.edu. Application deadlines are July 1 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester. The Department of Sociology encourages students to begin their graduate studies during the fall semester. Applications completed by February 15 receive priority in decisions about assistantships.

The Graduate Program Committee evaluates applications and makes recommendations about admission to the dean of The Graduate School. A minimum GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work is required for admission to the master’s program. For applicants with a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.50 for all graduate work is required for admission to the doctoral program. GRE scores must be submitted with the application to The Graduate School. The department does not have a minimum GRE requirement, but scores approaching or exceeding 600 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE and 4 on the analytical section increase the applicant’s likelihood of being admitted and funded.

Programs and Courses

Programs

Courses

    Sociology

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