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How to Get a Masters Degree in Sociology

By eHow Education Editor

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Sociology is the study of human interactions and social behavior. The way people interact in institutional settings, social organizations and with diverse populations informs sociological knowledge and literature. Obtaining a Masters in Sociology can open the door to employment in a variety of fields, including market research and community development, or the path onto a doctorate.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step1

Choose an undergraduate major in Sociology or another Social Science such as Anthropology or Psychology. Maintain a good overall grade point average. Take several high level Sociology courses as an undergraduate and work as an assistant to a professor on a research project. Score well on the Graduate Record Exam.

Step2

Think about the type of research you will pursue. Select qualitative or quantitative and a specific area of study. Graduate programs generally offer specialties in only a few areas. Make the most of your studies by attending a university with faculty that share like interests.

Step3

Fulfill the course requirements of the graduate program. The number of classes required varies for each university. Be prepared to take classes in Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory, Research Methods, Statistics and Ethnography, as well as courses dedicated to specific topics such as race, ethnicity and gender.

Step4

Select a research topic and site. Conduct interviews and participant observation. When conducting quantitative research, gather the relevant raw data for statistical analysis.

Step5

Consult a thesis advisor. To complete a Masters degree, most programs require students to write a thesis, or in-depth study of a social problem or issue. Ask a professor to chair the thesis committee and help find relevant readings for your literature review.

Step6

Analyze the data and write a thesis detailing the findings. Present your thesis work to the committee.