Overview

The Sociology programme at Northern Illinois University provides students with a rigorous academic foundation in social theory and research methodology. This Master of Arts degree is designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths in teaching, public service, or further doctoral-level study.

Students within the department benefit from a flexible curriculum that allows for specialisation in either general sociology or a dedicated criminology path. The academic structure ensures that all participants gain a deep understanding of how to systematically analyse complex social problems and evidence.

The degree requires the completion of at least 33 semester hours of credit while maintaining a high academic standard.

Why Sociology at Northern Illinois University?

The university offers a supportive environment through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, providing access to specialised facilities like the Sociology Lab. Students benefit from a department that emphasises both theoretical mastery and practical application in the field.

Distinctive teaching features include competitive graduate assistantships, which provide eligible students with stipends and tuition waivers. The programme also fosters a strong community through various student organisations and opportunities for campus-based engagement and networking.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 775 per credit
National fee: USD 388 per credit
Local fee: USD 388 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Sociological Theory
Methods
Criminology
General Sociology
Thesis
Internship

Careers with Sociology

Graduates from this programme have successfully transitioned into influential roles across academia and community health sectors. The curriculum prepares individuals for positions in both public and private agencies, focusing on research, management, and social advocacy.

Alumni have secured titles such as Associate Professor and Community Action Assistant Director. These professionals work in diverse areas including grant management, case supervision, cultural competency promotion, and specialised sociological research in health and society.

The programme also serves as a robust pipeline for those intending to pursue a Ph.D. or educator licensure. By developing skills in survey conduct, interviewing, and data analysis, students are well-equipped for the modern professional landscape.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Classical Sociological Theory
Contemporary Sociological Theory
Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative Research Methods in Sociology
Theories of Delinquency and Crime

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

DeKalb, United States

Disciplines

Sociology View 376 other Masters in Sociology in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or one with equivalent recognition.

Achieved a 3.00 grade point average on a 4.00 scale, or the equivalent.

If you received a three-year degree awarded through the Bologna process in Europe or a three-year Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Business Administration awarded in India, you are eligible to apply (provided you are seeking admission to the MBA or OMIS program).

Transcripts

Letters of recommendation.

Statement of purpose.

Test scores (if required).

Resume or curriculum vitae (optional)

Additional materials required by your program.

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

26235 USD / year

≈ 26235 USD / year
Out-of-State

13101 USD / year

≈ 13101 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

13101 USD / year

≈ 13101 USD / year

Additional Details

National and International: 878.99 per credit Local: 509.75 per credit

Living costs

DeKalb

United States

1100 - 1500 USD / month

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

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

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.

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.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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

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

Additional Details

Living costs

DeKalb

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners