Sociology Coterminal MA
Degree Requirements

 

The coterminal M.A. in Sociology is a flexible, self-designed program. Most students complete their M.A. in a fifth year at Stanford; occasionally students are able to complete their B.A. and coterminal M.A. in the fourth year.

Students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 to be admitted to the Sociology Coterminal MA program. 

Applications for the coterminal MA program in Sociology are due January 15, 2013, to begin the program Spring Quarter, 2013. Applications will not be accepted at any other time. GRE scores are now required as part of the application process (general test only).

WE DO NOT HAVE AN MA PROGRAM FOR APPLICANTS WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A STANFORD DEGREE PROGRAM.

Research:

Because research methods are an important component of graduate training in the social sciences, coterminal students are encouraged to take SOC 180A, Foundations of Social Research, and 180B, Evaluation of Evidence, in sequence when possible. These methods courses provide skills for research opportunities within the department and in academic or professional careers.

Units and Grading:

To graduate with a Coterminal M.A. in Sociology, students must:

1. Complete 45 units of course work in their graduate career; 40 of these units must be in Sociology courses.  Note: All units for the coterminal M.A. must be taken at or above the 100 level; advanced-level course work is encouraged and a minimum of 20 units must be taken at the 200 level.
   
   
2. Take all courses applied to the coterminal master’s degree for a letter grade. Non-Sociology courses towards the coterm must be taken in the Social Sciences and must be pre-approved by the department.
   
   
3. Acheive a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or better for all courses taken towards the M.A.

Outside Courses:

Students who want to take courses outside the department must seek prior approval from the Sociology student services office; coterminal master’s students are limited to 5 units from the Social Sciences outside of the department.

Independent Study and Directed Reading:

Students may take up to five units of independent study (IS) or directed reading (DR) to count towards the coterminal MA. These IS/DR units count as "outside courses," even when taken with a Sociology professor. In some cases, students may be pursuing in-depth research that requires additional IS/DR units. With faculty advisor support, students may petition to count additional IS or DR units towards the MA.

Transferring Courses:

Students may transfer a maximum of 10 units from their undergraduate career; to be eligible for transfer, courses must have been taken in the two quarters preceding admission to the M.A. program.

Advising:

Coterminal M.A. students should meet with their assigned faculty adviser upon acceptance to the program.

 

Back to top