Sociology
Take the next step for your career and prepare for advanced study or applied work in diverse fields.
Sociology, M.A.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers graduate-level instruction for the Master of Arts in Sociology, minors in Sociology and Gerontology, and a Certificate in Applied Social Research. The thesis research master's degree program in Sociology at MTSU, effectively prepares graduates that intend to pursue further, doctoral-level academic study or seek employment in non-academic and applied settings in the public, private, and non-profit economic sectors. With relatively small classes, a low student-faculty ratio, and funding opportunities, the program offers students quality interaction with award-winning faculty, along with opportunities to collaborate on the presentation and publication of academic and applied research. Specialized training and experience are available in public/applied sociology, criminology/deviance, medical sociology, research methods, sex/gender, social gerontology, and work and organizations, among other areas. The program supports full- and part-time students and offers competitive funding opportunities to support tuition, travel, and research.
News Briefs
MTSU graduate student and award winner Phattra Marbang begins her Phd studies
Phattra Marbang, MTSU Sociology MA graduate and recipient of the "Excellent Graduate Student in Sociology" award has been offered admission into UGA's (University of Georgia) sociology PhD program with a full assistantship for fall 2020. Congratulations, Phattra!
Outstanding Teacher focuses research on prison population
Dr. Meredith Dye, MTSU sociology faculty member, has contributed significantly to an area lacking research attention: suicide and prison. The esteemed Criminal Justice and Behavior criminology journal (2013) published her study "I Just Wanted to Die," which compared suicide ideation among women serving life sentences prior to serving time and while in prison. Dye, who collaborates with graduate students, has an article forthcoming for The Prison Journal (2014) entitled "The Rock I Cling To: Religion in the Lives of Life-Sentenced Women." She teaches a topics graduate class, which has looked at declining crime rates and increased mass incarceration and has focused on societal experiences and reactions to deviance including a historic chronology. She was named one of the University's Outstanding Teachers in 2012 by the MTSU Foundation and Outstanding Advisor in 2013 by the College of Liberal Arts.
News Briefs
MTSU graduate student and award winner Phattra Marbang begins her Phd studies
Phattra Marbang, MTSU Sociology MA graduate and recipient of the "Excellent Graduate Student in Sociology" award has been offered admission into UGA's (University of Georgia) sociology PhD program with a full assistantship for fall 2020. Congratulations, Phattra!
Outstanding Teacher focuses research on prison population
Dr. Meredith Dye, MTSU sociology faculty member, has contributed significantly to an area lacking research attention: suicide and prison. The esteemed Criminal Justice and Behavior criminology journal (2013) published her study "I Just Wanted to Die," which compared suicide ideation among women serving life sentences prior to serving time and while in prison. Dye, who collaborates with graduate students, has an article forthcoming for The Prison Journal (2014) entitled "The Rock I Cling To: Religion in the Lives of Life-Sentenced Women." She teaches a topics graduate class, which has looked at declining crime rates and increased mass incarceration and has focused on societal experiences and reactions to deviance including a historic chronology. She was named one of the University's Outstanding Teachers in 2012 by the MTSU Foundation and Outstanding Advisor in 2013 by the College of Liberal Arts.
Sociology, M.A.
MTSU students on the academic track receive the research and theoretical training necessary to become successful doctoral students and have a high rate of acceptance at various doctoral programs. Students on the applied track have graduated to direct state agencies and multi-million dollar federal programs; serve as federal, state, and local investigators, researchers, and consultants; and coordinate or participate in a variety of university, non-profit, and social service programs. Potential professions, some of which may require additional training, include
- Attorney
- College professor/high school teacher
- Community developer
- Consultant
- Counselor
- Criminologist
- Demographer
- Director of research
- Gerontologist
- Human resource manager
- Policy analyst
- Program director in social service agency
- Program manager
- Research analyst
- Sociologist
- Statistician
- Survey researcher
- Therapist
- Urban planner
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- Centerstone Behavioral Health Services
- Early Connections Network, Tennessee Voices for Children
- Edvantia Educational Research
- Forensic Institute for Research & Education
- Nashville Metro Transit Authority
- National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago
- Populations Study Center, University of Michigan
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency
- US Department of Labor
Among universities admitting graduates for advanced degrees or hiring to fill positions are
- Bowling Green State University
- Georgia State University
- Florida State University
- Jacksonville State University
- North Carolina State University
- Oklahoma State University
- Tulane University
- University of Baltimore School of Law
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of Iowa
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of Northern Iowa
- University of South Carolina
- University of Southern California
- University of Southern Illinois
- University of Tennessee
- University of Texas
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- Vanderbilt University
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
The following links will provide additional information about the Master’s program in Sociology, and the list of theses indicates recent research interests:
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- Graduate Student Testimonials
- List of Master's Theses
- Poster
- Professional Organizations and Information:
- Student Publications
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