Master of Sociology at East Carolina University

East Carolina University offers the Master of Sociology as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Greenville , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for sociology and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 21, 2027.

About Master of Sociology

Are you interested in learning how to apply sociological theory, social statistics, and research methods to investigate real social problems? Can you envision yourself working for a social research institute or being well prepared to pursue a PhD in sociology?

East Carolina University's MA in sociology is a two-year program in which students may begin in fall or spring. The program consists of intensive seminars focusing on social theory and selected specialty areas (e.g., environmental; immigration; social movements). In addition, we offer advanced methodological training that provides students with the opportunity to learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret a range of data sets including in-depth interviews and surveys.

ECU's MA in Sociology has five options: 1) preparation for doctoral studies/thesis; 2) applied social research practicum; 3) community college teaching practicum, and two 36-credit extended course work only options: 4) non-thesis community college teaching; 5) non-thesis extended course work.

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Program Coordinator: Mamadi Corra (420 A Brewster Building; 252-328-4836; [email protected])

The Department of Sociology offers a master of arts (MA) in sociology. The Sociology, MA prepares graduates for a range of professions including professional research, college-level teaching, social services, and social or political advocacy, or to pursue a doctor of philosophy.

Students applying to the program must meet the admission standards set by the ECU Graduate School, which include a bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution and a minimum GPA. Nonnative speakers must submit an acceptable score on one of the language tests approved by the Graduate School or evidence of at least one year of college/university study in the United States. Additionally, the application requires two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Two of the program's core courses are currently delivered online.

The degree requires 31 or 37 semester hours as follows:

1. Core - 13 s.h.

SOCI 6001 - Sociology Proseminar Series
SOCI 6212 - Social Statistics
SOCI 6213 - Social Statistics Laboratory
SOCI 6312 - Multivariate Techniques and Analysis
SOCI 6313 - Multivariate Techniques and Analysis Laboratory
SOCI 6459 - Seminar on Modern Sociological Theory
SOCI 6488 - Seminar in Research Methods and Design

2. Electives - 12 s.h.

At least 6 s.h. of graduate sociology courses unless waived by the director of graduate studies.

3. Options - 6 s.h. or 12 s.h.

Choose one of the following options:

a. Nonthesis practicum option - 6 s.h.

Students choose between a research practicum in preparation for positions in applied research or a teaching practicum in preparation for teaching positions.

SOCI 6992 - Practicum

b. Nonthesis coursework option - 12 s.h.

Students complete an additional 12 s.h. of graduate elective courses with the approval of the director of graduate studies.

c. Thesis option - 6 s.h.

SOCI 7000 - Thesis

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. This program requires students to submit a portfolio following completion of the required core courses.

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Sociology at East Carolina University

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Sociology

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

Sociology
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Health and Human Services
Education and Training

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Sociology at East Carolina University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Sociology at East Carolina University

Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

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Master of Sociology at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville