Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Proposal for an Accelerated MA program in Comparative Sociology

The combined program allows qualified full time students to earn both degrees in a shorter time than would otherwise be possible. Students using the program to develop M.A. level job qualification will be able to obtain advanced research and analytic skills more quickly. The combined degree will also allow faster movement to the Ph.D. for students pursuing that goal. Entry to the program may affect eligibility for some types of financial aid and students are advised to investigate this issue before applying to the combined program.

Students may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the BA and MA degrees. Hence the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 hours instead of the 156 required if the degrees were pursued separately. Students in this program could choose a thesis or non-thesis MA option.

Students must apply no later than the second semester of their junior year for admission in the Fall of the following year. The 12 graduate credits taken during their Senior year would fulfill both the upper division elective requirements and the first year M.A. graduate program requirements. Students will still need to complete the required 31 credit hours in the major for the BA.

To enter the program, students must apply to the Department for admission and be accepted by the Department. On completion of the first year of the program, students will receive the B.A. degree. At that time they will need to apply to the University Graduate School for admission to the M.A. program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements will not guarantee admission. Entry to the program requires prior admission by the Department and approval by the College Dean. Students must also apply and be accepted by the Graduate School in their semester of BA receipt. Graduate School admission requires a separate application. Actual entry to the Graduate School occurs on completion of the undergraduate degree. At the time of application to the Department the student must have:

· Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher
· Minimum GRE (verbal +quantitative) score of 1100
· Successful completion of Senior Capstone course by the Spring semester of their Junior year.
· Completion of ANT 3034 (Anthropological Theories) and SYA 4010 (Sociological Theories)
· Completion or current registration in SYA 3300 (Research Methods).
· At least 15 hours in undergraduate sociology/anthropology courses in addition to the courses listed above.
· Students are strongly recommended to take an introductory statistics course during their junior year.
· A writing sample from previous coursework.
· Letters of recommendation from two faculty in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology.
· A 2-4 page statement of purpose describing the student’s academic plans and longer-term career goals.

MA Courses taken during the student’s senior year:
SYA 6125 Sociocultural Theories A. Offered only in Fall
SYA 6126 Sociocultural Theories B. Offered only in Spring
SYA 6305 Research Methods I. Offered only in Fall
SYA 6306 Research Methods II. Offered only in Spring

Students will be authorized by the program advisor to take 6000 level courses.

Combined Program Requirements

Each student must:
· Apply to the program and be admitted by the Department. In the final undergraduate semester each student must apply and be accepted by the Graduate School.
· Complete all undergraduate major requirements
· Complete all M.A. requirements (with either thesis or non-thesis program).

Awarding of Degrees

· The B.A. will be awarded as soon as all B.A. requirements are completed.
· The M.A. will be awarded after all B.A. and M.A. requirements are completed.
· Twelve graduate hours (6000 level courses listed above) will be taken while the student is an undergraduate.