Concentrations (Required) and Option Available
Applied Sociology — Thesis
Criminology — Thesis
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies — Thesis
Environmental Sociology — Thesis
Political Economy and Globalization — Thesis
Please see below for program requirements for each of these concentrations.
Campus Code
Knoxville Campus
Admissions Standards/Procedures
- Overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Writing sample.
- Personal statement.
- Completion of the appropriate previous degree (baccalaureate, preferably with a major in one of the social sciences).
- New students are typically admitted in fall semester only.
- Applications must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Department of Sociology by January 15.
Academic Standards
- Once admitted to the program, students must maintain a graduate GPA of at least 3.00.
- To remain in the program, students must meet annual progress goals as set forth by the Department.
Applied Sociology Concentration
Courses provide foundational knowledge of inequality combined with critical methodology and sociological analysis. Courses equip students with substantive skills useful in a variety of social change orientated careers. The concentration thesis is a theoretically- and experientially-informed report of students’ work done based on participation in a practicum experience.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree
Non-Course requirements
- When a decision is reached about the thesis topic, the student should consult with the faculty member whose interests most closely match the student’s and with whom the student can establish a strong working relationship, and request that the faculty member chair the thesis committee.
- Students must complete all requirements within 6 calendar years of enrollment.
Criminology Concentration
The criminology specialization promotes critical understandings of the relationship between social forces and definitions of crime, criminal behavior, and the institutions and dynamics of social control. Students are taught to apply sociological theories to research on crime and criminal justice. Students are also provided tools for the preservation of peace and the safeguarding of due process and civil rights. This concentration prepares students for doctoral study or the study of law and for professional opportunities in civil rights. Please note that our criminology focus is not appropriate for those planning to pursue a degree in law enforcement.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Additional Course Requirements
- At least 21 total credit hours must be completed in 500- and 600-level courses, not including thesis hours (SOCI 500).
- MA students may take 9 credit hours in 400-level courses that carry graduate credit (in consultation with their advisor).
- Twelve (12) credit hours may be taken outside the department with the advisor’s consent. These courses do not replace required courses.
- Students entering the MA program who have not completed at least one undergraduate course in statistics or its equivalent must take STAT 531 prior to enrolling in SOCI 531.
Non-Course Requirements
- When a decision is reached about the thesis topic, the student should consult with the faculty member whose interests most closely match the student’s and with whom the student can establish a strong working relationship and request that the faculty member chair the thesis committee.
- Students must complete all requirements within 6 calendar years of enrollment.
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Concentration
Courses address questions of power through the study of structural racism, social/national movements, and social (in)justice. Courses equip students with rigorous theoretical and analytical tools to enable an increased understanding of a multicultural and multinational work for the sake of furthering social justice, human rights, and egalitarian democracy. We encourage our students to imagine and create transformative change for racial equality.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Additional Course Requirements
- At least 21 total credit hours must be completed in 500- and 600-level courses, not including thesis hours.
- MA students may take 9 credit hours in 400-level courses that carry graduate credit (in consultation with their advisor).
- Twelve (12) graduate credit hours may be taken outside the department with the advisor’s consent. These courses do not replace required courses.
- Students entering the MA program who have not completed at least one undergraduate course in statistics or its equivalent must take STAT 531 prior to enrolling in SOCI 531.
Non-Course Requirements
- When a decision is reached about the thesis topic, the student should consult with the faculty member whose interests most closely match the student’s and with whom the student can establish a strong working relationship and request that the faculty member chair the thesis committee.
- Students must complete all requirements within 6 calendar years of enrollment.
Environmental Sociology Concentration
Environmental sociology focuses on how social institutions and cultural practices influence behavior. Students will analyze the social causes and consequences of technological choices, policy decisions, and economic production processes affecting resource scarcity and environmental degradation.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Additional Course Requirements
- At least 21 total credit hours must be completed in 500- and 600-level courses, excluding thesis hours.
- MA students may take 9 credit hours in 400-level courses that carry graduate credit (in consultation with their advisor).
- Twelve (12) graduate credit hours may be taken outside the department with the advisor’s consent. These courses do not replace required courses.
- Students entering the MA program who have not completed at least one undergraduate course in statistics or its equivalent must take STAT 531 prior to enrolling in SOCI 531.
Non-Course Requirements
- When a decision is reached about the thesis topic, the student should consult with the faculty member whose interests most closely match the student’s and with whom the student can establish a strong working relationship and request that the faculty member chair the thesis committee.
- Students must complete all requirements within 6 calendar years of enrollment.
Political Economy and Globalization Concentration
Political economy generally explores the production, allocation, and consumption of goods and services, including the role that state places in these processes. The sociological approach to the study of political economy draws upon distinctive theoretical traditions, methods of analysis, and subject matter. Courses emphasize the social context that frames economic production, resource, distribution, and state action. Courses in the concentration also stresses that social movements have contested and shaped these processes.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Additional Course Requirements
- At least 21 total credit hours must be completed in 500- and 600-level courses, excluding thesis hours.
- MA students may take 9 credit hours in 400-level courses that carry graduate credit (in consultation with their advisor).
- Twelve (12) graduate credit hours may be taken outside the department with the advisor’s consent. These do not replace required courses.
- Students entering the MA program who have not completed at least one undergraduate course in statistics or its equivalent must take STAT 531 prior to enrolling in SOCI 531.
Non-Course Requirements
- When a decision is reached about the thesis topic, the student should consult with the faculty member whose interests most closely match the student’s and with whom the student can establish a strong working relationship and request that the faculty member chair the thesis committee.
- Students must complete all requirements within 6 calendar years of enrollment.
Five-Year BA/MA Program - Sociology Major, MA, Applied Sociology concentration
The Department of Sociology at the University of Tennessee offers a Five-Year BA-MA program for highly motivated and academically outstanding students who are passionate about understanding and analyzing human societies. This program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Sociology within a five-year timeframe. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and advanced research experience required for a successful career in sociological research, social services, advocacy, and more.
The core component of the program is that qualified students can apply up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This not only accelerates their academic journey but also enhances their research and analytical capabilities.
Program Components
Eligibility and Admission
Students must have a declared major in general Sociology, or in one of the following concentrations: Sociology Honors, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Honors Criminology and Criminal Justice, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Honors Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Environmental Sociology, and Honors Environmental Sociology.
Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 in required coursework for admission to the program.
Conditional admission may be granted after the completion of 60 hours of coursework fulfilling requirements for the BA in Sociology, including a minimum of 15 credit hours in core Sociology courses.
Full admission to the program may be granted after the completion of 90 hours of required coursework for the BA in Sociology with a minimum GPA of 3.4, including at least 24 hours of core Sociology courses.
Admission Process
The admission process begins with application to the Sociology Undergraduate Program Director.
The admission decision will be based on coursework, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview with members of the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees in the Department of Sociology to determine the level of maturity and academic achievement.
Upon approval from the Undergraduate Program Director, students can submit an official application to the Graduate School.
Coursework
Students, once conditionally admitted to the program, may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level Sociology courses that count towards both their BA and MA degrees.
All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the Sociology Director of Graduate Studies.
Students must also request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit and follow the regular admission process for the Sociology graduate program.
Assistantships
Students will be eligible for assistantship opportunities after they are formally enrolled as graduate-level students in the Sociology Graduate Proggram.
Thesis
Students in the Five-Year BA-MA program will complete a practicum and thesis as part of their Master of Arts requirements.
Faculty Mentorship
Students are required to obtain a commitment from a faculty member in the Sociology Department to serve as their major professor for the MA portion of the program. The major professor will act as a mentor and advisor.
Academic Advising
Students in the Five-Year BA-MA program will receive specialized academic advising to ensure a smooth transition between their undergraduate and graduate studies.
Five-Year BA/MA Program - Sociology Major, MA
The Department of Sociology at the University of Tennessee offers a Five-Year BA-MA program for highly motivated and academically outstanding students who are passionate about understanding and analyzing human societies. This program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Sociology within a five-year timeframe. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and advanced research experience required for a successful career in sociological research, social services, advocacy, and more.
The core component of the program is that qualified students can apply up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This not only accelerates their academic journey but also enhances their research and analytical capabilities.
Program Components
Eligibility and Admission
Students must have a declared major in general Sociology, or in one of the following concentrations: Sociology Honors, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Honors Criminology and Criminal Justice, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Honors Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Environmental Sociology, and Honors Environmental Sociology.
Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 in required coursework for admission to the program.
Conditional admission may be granted after the completion of 60 hours of coursework fulfilling requirements for the BA in Sociology, including a minimum of 15 credit hours in core Sociology courses.
Full admission to the program may be granted after the completion of 90 hours of required coursework for the BA in Sociology with a minimum GPA of 3.4, including at least 24 hours of core Sociology courses.
Admission Process
The admission process begins with application to the Sociology Undergraduate Program Director.
The admission decision will be based on coursework, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview with members of the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees in the Department of Sociology to determine the level of maturity and academic achievement.
Upon approval from the Undergraduate Program Director, students can submit an official application to the Graduate School.
Coursework
Students, once conditionally admitted to the program, may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level Sociology courses that count towards both their BA and MA degrees.
All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the Sociology Director of Graduate Studies.
Students must also request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit and follow the regular admission process for the Sociology graduate program.
Assistantships
Students will be eligible for assistantship opportunities after they are formally enrolled as graduate-level students in the Sociology Graduate Proggram.
Thesis
Students in the Five-Year BA-MA program will complete a practicum and thesis as part of their Master of Arts requirements.
Faculty Mentorship
Students are required to obtain a commitment from a faculty member in the Sociology Department to serve as their major professor for the MA portion of the program. The major professor will act as a mentor and advisor.
Academic Advising
Students in the Five-Year BA-MA program will receive specialized academic advising to ensure a smooth transition between their undergraduate and graduate studies.
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