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Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Sociology

Earn the technical and analytical skills you need with a master's degree in sociology. Use the master's degree to learn research and statistical analysis techniques, analyze sociological groups, and pursue your career and educational goals. With a master's degree in sociology, you expand and deepen your knowledge in a field that interests you.

Sociology Master's Degree Spotlight

A type of social science degree, sociology master's degrees allow you to pursue a range of coursework in the field over a period of two years of full-time study. Part-time students can take up to five years to complete the degree. Sociology master's degrees offer a deeper look into human behavior within organizational structures. Graduates of sociology master's degree programs go on to a range of careers, including:

As you can see, sociology master's degrees can have broad applications. Combine your work experience with a master's degree and move up the career ladder, or change directions with graduate training. A graduate level of education in sociology can offer you the tools you need to move ahead with your long-term career plans.

How to Earn a Master's Degree in Sociology

Before you can start the application process for the perfect sociology schools, you need to learn more about the degree itself. If you've just begun to plan your graduate training, take a look at WorldWideLearn.com's guide on the subject. If you're ready to start thinking about sociology degrees, it's time to learn the basics for this popular master's degree program.

Step 1: Consider Your Sociology Master's Degree Options

The sociology master's degree generally requires two years of full-time study. Choose from the two major options for your degree:

The degrees above are considered academically equivalent, meaning one degree is not inherently preferable to the other. Beyond general major types, sociology programs offer a wealth of specializations:

Choose your degree type and specialization based on your interests, career goals, and the offerings you find in individual programs. You can learn more about individual schools in your next step.

Step 2: Establish a List of Potential Sociology Master's Degree Programs

Next, create a list of potential sociology master's degree programs. Browse online resources to create your list and learn more about specializations and other individual offerings from sociology schools across the country. Don't worry yet about narrowing your options for now, work to create a comprehensive list. Use these resources to begin your research:

Once you've created a list of potential sociology master's degree programs, you should begin to get an idea of the scope of degrees and specializations available to you. In your next step, consider whether you want to earn a master's degree online or on campus.

Step 3: Think About Both Campus and Online Sociology Master's Degrees

Your next step should be to consider how you would prefer to earn your sociology master's degree. Because master's degree programs in sociology don't necessitate hands-on research, you can choose between online and campus programs.

Learn about different types of education and find out of you should earn a master's degree online with help from the resources at WorldWideLearn.com. Designed to simplify the process of choosing how you pursue your sociology degree, learn more about E-learning with these resources:

Adult learners benefit from both online and campus programs; your learning style and needs help determine which style is right for you. Whether you're interested in the hands-on methods of the campus classroom or the flexibility and convenience of online learning, your choice should reflect your personal needs.

Step 4: Ensure Accreditation Status in Each Sociology Master's Degree Program

Make sure your sociology program meets standards set by a third-party agency that evaluates schools for quality, based on elements like:

It's up to you to make sure that each sociology school on your list holds current accreditation. Even if you recognize the name of a particular school, it's important to double check. (For more information on the accreditation process, see WorldWideLearn.com's guide.) Make sure your sociology institution is accredited and enjoy the following benefits:

Fortunately, it's easy to search the U.S. Department of Education's database for the schools on your list. This step of the process can take some time depending on the length of your list, and both campus and online master's degree programs should be accredited.

Step 4: Focus Down Your Sociology Master's Degree List

At this point, you should have a list of accredited schools, each offering strong potential options for your sociology master's degree. Now, it's time to take that list and begin to focus your options. Allow your personal preferences to guide you as you begin eliminating schools. Use the following categories to get started:

Once you've worked your way through the list, you should have created a short list of strong sociology schools that truly meet your preferences. This personalized list should give you confidence; you've learned more about the master's degree in general and you should be ready to take the next step. Next, begin the degree application process with only the strongest schools on your list.

How to Apply for Sociology Master's Degree Programs

Apply to your top list of sociology master's degree programs. Because you're working with a short list of preferred schools, you should ultimately save time and money on your application process. Whether you choose a master's degree online or on campus, you need to submit a different application to each school. Keep the following in mind as you begin the application process:

Researching sociology programs takes time and effort, but you benefit from learning more about the degree itself along with the application process. When the time comes to apply to your top choices for your sociology master's degree, you are more likely to go through the process with less stress and more confidence.

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Virginia College

Earn your associate's, bachelor's or master's degree from Virginia College. Our extensive programs are offered 100% online, so you can launch the career of your choice from the comfort of your own home.

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Strayer University

Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

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AIU Online

American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.

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