Overview

The M.A. Sociology program at Pennsylvania State University provide training in general social theory, research methodology, statistics, and a number of traditional and developing substantive specialties.

In consultation with faculty advisers, students select two specialties that are among the department's strengths, such as demography (including health and immigration); family, life course, and aging; criminology; stratification and inequality; sociology of education; urban and community studies; or quantitative methods.

Course work outside the department is encouraged.

Areas of study related to sociology, such as rural sociology, geography, economics, business administration, statistics, cultural anthropology, political science, labor and employment relations, women's studies, social thought, biobehavioral health, and human development and family studies are available at the University.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to demonstrate conceptual understanding of theoretical concepts, proficiency in quantitative analysis for continuous and discrete outcomes and predictors, and understanding of sociological approaches to a major substantive area at the level required to contribute to the discipline of sociology.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate conceptual understanding of the ethical practice of research and research protections.
Graduates will be able to critically conceptualize and define the sociological aspects of a problem as part of sociological research.
Graduates will be able to critically analyze both strengths and weaknesses of competing sociological arguments at the level required to contribute to the discipline of sociology.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to design and execute a research strategy appropriate to answering a significant question having real-world applications in the field of sociology.
Graduates will be able to effectively communicate a sociological argument, research design, analytic strategy, findings, and conclusions in formal presentations and in written works to scholars in the field as well as students at different levels.
Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to active citizenship in the discipline, including engagement in service to the profession and society at large.
Graduates will demonstrate a strict adherence to the ethical practice of research and professional honesty.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Theories of Society
Sociological Research Methods
Statistical Methods for Social Research
Survey Methods I: Survey Design
Survey Methods II: Analysis of Survey Data
Family Demography
Demography of the Life Course
Internal and International Migration

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-04-25 00:00:00 , International

More details

International applicants are encouraged to submit materials at least four months before the beginning of the semester for which they are applying.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

38 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

University Park, United States

Disciplines

Sociology View 374 other Masters in Sociology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

undergraduate grades (and where applicable, record of previous graduate work);
letters of recommendation;
statement of purpose;
areas of interest, and career goals;
a sample of written work, such as a term paper; and
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) verbal, quantitative, and writing scores.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

46796 USD / year

≈ 46796 USD / year
Out-of-State

46796 USD / year

≈ 46796 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

25966 USD / year

≈ 25966 USD / year

Living costs

University Park

United States

1000 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Sociology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Learning outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

University Park

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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