Sociology

• Department Information
• M.A. in Sociology
• Graduate Courses

Department Information

Department of Sociology and Social Services
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Office: Meiklejohn Hall 3095
Phone: (510) 885-3173
Website: http://csueastbay.edu/sociology

Professors Emeriti
Benjamin P. Bowser, Ph.D. Cornell University
Willem W. Van Groenou, Ph.D. University of Illinois

Professors
Efren N. Padilla, Ph.D. Michigan State University
Carl Stempel, Ph.D. University of Oregon

Associate Professor
Patricia Jennings (Chair), Ph.D. University of Kentucky

Assistant Professors
Will L. Johnson, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Holly Vugia, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley

Graduate Advisor: Patricia Jennings

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M.A. in Sociology

Important Notice:
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 from Cal State East Bay will

1. be able to write an original sociological analysis,
2. understand the role of theory in sociology and how to apply key concepts in social analysis,
3. be able to 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.)

1. Core Requirements (20 units)
   • SOC 6111 Advanced Sociological Research Methods I (4)
   • SOC 6112 Advanced Sociological Research Methods II (4)
   • SOC 6311 Seminar in Sociological Theory I (4)
   • SOC 6312 Seminar in Sociological Theory II (4)
   • STAT 3010 Statistical Methods in the Social Sciences (4)
2. Topics Seminars in Sociology (12 units)
   • SOC 6800 Topics Seminar (4) (May be taken three times for credit)
3. 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 proffessor)
      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.

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Graduate Courses

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