Accelerated Combined Degrees
This accelerated combined degree program allows students to complete two degrees in just five academic years.
- BA or BS in Sociology
- MA in Sociology
Students receive the same benefits of both curriculums and move seamlessly from the undergraduate program to graduate studies. You will save time and money, as well as jump-start your career.
Admission Requirements
SIUE undergraduate students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Major in sociology
- Completed SOC 301 Survey of Theory and either SOC 302 Social Research Methods, CJ 302 Research Methods in Criminal Justice, or both PSYC 220 Research Design and Statistics I and PSYC 221 Research Design and Statistics II
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Be within 32 credit hours of bachelor's degree completion at intended entry term
How to Apply
- Submit a graduate admission application and pay the $40 application fee. Apply to the term in which you plan to begin the combined bachelor's and graduate courses.
- After submitting your application, complete the "plan of study" form with approval from your undergraduate advisor and graduate program director.
- Submit all other required graduate admission application materials, including:
- A writing sample. The writing sample, which should be 4-5 pages in length, may consist of a paper turned in for a course or other written work prepared by the applicant. It should address some social scientific and preferably sociological issue.
- Statement of purpose: Submit a written personal statement of 1-2 pages indicating your motivations and objectives for graduate study in sociology.
Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduateadmissions@siue.edu with questions regarding the application process.
Sample Curriculum
The accelerated master's in sociology requires that students complete 6-12 credit hours of approved graduate courses during the undergraduate senior year. These credit hours are shared and apply to both the BA or BS in sociology and the MA in sociology.
During your senior year, choose 6-12 credit hours from the following graduate-level courses which count toward both degrees:
- SOC 411 - Social Movements
- SOC 420 - Leadership
- SOC 422 - White Collar Crime and Elite Deviance
- SOC 431 - Employment and Workplace Change
- SOC 440 - Sociology of Popular Culture
- SOC 441 - Health Illness and Society
- SOC 470 - Sociology of Deviance
- SOC 472 - Explaining Crime
- SOC 474 - Victims and Society
- SOC 490 - Special Topics in Sociology
- SOC 500 - Professionalization Seminar
- SOC 502 - Seminar in Intergroup Relations
- SOC 503 - Seminar in Applied Sociology
- SOC 515 - Research Methods and Study Design in Sociology
- SOC 518 - Advanced Data Analysis
- SOC 542 - Seminar in Gender and Gender Inequality
- SOC 574 - Seminar in Deviance
- SOC 578 - Seminar in Criminology
- SOC 590 - Special Topics
Students pursuing the accelerated program should consult with their advisor on the appropriate load of graduate-level courses in their senior year while developing the required plan of study. Fewer graduate courses taken in the senior year will affect the number of courses needed to complete the master's degree following the completion of the bachelor's degree.
Sample Plan of Study
Senior Year (Fall Semester)
(3) SOC 500 Professionalization Seminar - shared credit
(3) SOC 515 Research Methods and Study Design in Sociology - shared credit
(3) Elective
(3) Elective
(3) Elective
15 Total Credits
Senior Year (Spring Semester)
(3) SOC 518 Advanced Data Analysis - shared credit
(3) 400 or 500 level SOC elective - shared credit
(3) SOC 433, 495 or 497 Exit Requirement Course
(3) Elective
(3) Elective
15 Total Credits
Graduate Year (Summer Term)
(3) 500 level SOC Elective
3 Total Credits
Graduate Year (Fall Semester)
(3) SOC 592 Research Practicum
(3) SOC 501 Survey of Theory
(3) 500 level SOC Elective
9 Total Credits
Graduate Year (Spring Semester)
(6) Thesis, internship or comprehensive exam capstone requirement
6 Total Credits
