University of Colorado Denver

Department of Sociology

Master of Arts in Sociology

Graduate Program Handbook

For MA Open House Spring 2013

The information in this handbook provides specific information on the M.A. Sociology program and supplements the University of Colorado-Denver’s Graduate Student Rules and Graduate Student Handbook (both available at http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/).

Revised January 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................32. CONTACT INFORMATION.......................................................................................43. OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT.....................................................................5

a. Mission Statement........................................................................................................5b. Faculty.........................................................................................................................5c. Our Strengths...............................................................................................................5

4. GRADUATE FACULTY RESEARCH SPECIALTIES...........................................75. STUDENT RESOURCES.............................................................................................8

a. Graduate Program Director/Graduate Adviser............................................................8b. Research Area Mentors................................................................................................8c. Financial Aid................................................................................................................8d. Graduate Student Liaison............................................................................................8e. Sociology Student Club...............................................................................................9f. Sociological Professional Organizations......................................................................9g. International Students..................................................................................................9

6. OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM...........................................................................10a. General Requirements................................................................................................10b. General Expectations.................................................................................................12

7. PLANS OF STUDY.....................................................................................................13a. Summary of Study.....................................................................................................13b. Core Course Requirements........................................................................................13c. Elective Credit Requirements....................................................................................14

8. Master’s Thesis and Project.......................................................................................15a. Thesis/Project Committee..........................................................................................15b. Thesis/Project Proposal.............................................................................................16c. Master’s Thesis Option..............................................................................................17d. Master’s Project Option.............................................................................................19f. Human Subjects..........................................................................................................20

9. GRADUATION............................................................................................................2010. CHECK LIST FOR M.A. DEGREE........................................................................2112. SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS....................................25

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1. INTRODUCTION1

Welcome to the Master’s program in Sociology at the University of Colorado Denver! We are thrilled to include you in our new and improved graduate program which offers rigorous sociological training for becoming a professional sociologist.

The Department of Sociology's Master's program has been producing M.A. graduates for more than twenty-five years. Our graduates have gone on to university and college professorships, community college teaching, other roles in education, official governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, business, and many other places beyond Denver, Colorado.

The goal of this handbook is to make the process of your navigating our M.A. program clearer and less stressful. Please take time to read the information presented in the handbook. If you have any questions regarding the materials presented here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For the last few years, the Department of Sociology as well as the university, has undergone many significant changes. The Department will continue to update the program to keep pace with the University’s objectives and policies. Therefore, even though the information and requirements presented in below serve you as an official reference point, it is ultimately a responsibility of the student to verify the information presented in this handbook. As the department and program grow, we will also be seeking suggestions and other feedback from students to make the best possible M.A. program we can offer now and into the future.

Once again, welcome to the department and feel free to ask questions and become an active part of your own graduate study and our graduate program. This is an exciting time to be a part of our program. We sincerely hope that you have a valuable scholarly experience and enjoy exploring the discipline of sociology.

The Faculty of the Department of SociologyUniversity of Colorado Denver

1 Acknowledgements: The content and information in the Handbook is subject to change. Students should check with the Graduate Program Director regularly on changes in departmental or university policies. We consulted with the information presented with many other graduate programs such as the UCD Master’s of Social Sciences, Master’s of Humanities, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Sociology at California State University, Northridge.

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2. CONTACT INFORMATION

Department location:Mailing address: Campus Box 105, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364

Street address: Lawrence Street Center, 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 420, Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 315-2148 Fax: (303) 315-2149 E-mail: rachel.gallegos@ucdenver.eduWebsite: http://clas.ucdenver.edu/sociology/

Department Chair: John Freed Office 420E303-315-2143john.freed@ucdenver.edu

Graduate Program Director: Akihiko Hirose Office 420Q303-315-2147akihiko.hirose@ ucdenver .edu

Program Assistant: Rachel Gallegos Office 420 303-315-2148 rachel.gallegos@ucdenver.edu

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3. OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT

a. Mission Statement

The mission of the Sociology Department at the University of Colorado Denver is 1) to offer a multi-faceted learning experience to students that provides an understanding of how individuals and institutions interact to shape our social world; 2) to conduct empirical and theoretical research in order to advance and expand knowledge in the field of sociology; 3) to participate actively in programs of interdisciplinary research and education; 4) to bring sociological theory and research to bear on social problems in the communities where our faculty, staff, and students live and work.

b. Faculty

Currently, the Department of Sociology faculty consists of the regular full-time faculty listed below along with several part-time lecturers. They are diverse in their theoretical orientations, methodological approaches, and substantive interests. Their strong teaching backgrounds allow the department to provide a rigorous graduate training in fundamental areas such as research methods, theory, and quantitative analyses. Furthermore, their knowledge of substantive areas and commitment to excellence in research enable them to engage in more advanced graduate individual instruction.

Our regular faculty:

Stacey Bosick*, Assistant ProfessorCandan Duran-Aydintug*, Associate Professor Lucy Dwight*, Senior Instructor Karl Flaming*, Professor Paula Fomby*, Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Adviser Andrea Haar, InstructorAkihiko Hirose*, Assistant Professor and Graduate AdviserPatrick Krueger*, Assistant ProfessorPete Padilla, Senior InstructorCarlos Reali, Instructor

* Denotes members of the Graduate Faculty

c. Our Strengths

Small is GoodThe small size of the Department of Sociology is tremendously beneficial for graduate students as they can receive personalized and attentive advising throughout their graduate career. The faculty members understand that everyone has different interests and different goals in mind when joining our program. Therefore, admittance to the program is highly selective in order that each student’s scholarly curiosity be satisfied and individual goal achieved.

New and ImprovedThe Department of Sociology is particularly proud of its new and improved rigorous training program. Students can receive a graduate education that is up to national standards in an intimate

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and less intimidating environment. Particular attention is paid to keep individual students integrated into a coherent and sequentially required program.

Urban DepartmentBeing situated in the heart of Downtown Denver, UCD is the intellectual center of the city where diverse social dynamics of race, gender, and class intersect with social problems. Subsequently, there are many inspirations and opportunities for applied research with local non-profit organizations and city and state government.

Rigorous Research Agenda The Department of Sociology emphasizes two major areas of research as the main driving force of its sociological inquiry. They are Crime and Deviance, and Family. Moreover, the Department faculty conduct research in the following areas as well:

Aging GenderImmigration

OrganizationsPovertySocial Psychology

TheoryUrban Sociology Race

Our StudentsThe achievement of the Department of Sociology graduates can answer the question: why pursue an M.A. degree at UCD Sociology? Many of graduates have gone on to pursue academic careers in major Ph.D. programs throughout the nation such as Arizona State University, North Carolina State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Colorado-Boulder, and University of California, Riverside. Others have also successfully landed jobs in both the private and public sectors.

New Ideas and New PlansThe Department of Sociology is always looking for new ideas and ways to improve. Currently, the Department of Sociology is arranging collaborative research and instruction with the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences in the areas of the sociology of health, medical sociology, and public health. Likewise, in collaboration with the School of Public Affairs, the Department of Sociology is in the process of strengthening the area of criminology.

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4. GRADUATE FACULTY RESEARCH SPECIALTIES

Stacey Bosick, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., Harvard University)Office: 420UPhone: 303-315-2135Email: stacey.bosick@ucdenver.eduCrime, inequality, the life course, transition to adulthood

Candan Duran-Aydintug, Associate Professor (Ph.D., Washington State University)Office: 420DPhone: 303-315-2140Email: candan.duran-aydintug@ucdenver.eduSociology of the family, quantitative and qualitative methods, theory, gender roles, social psychology

Lucy Dwight, Senior Instructor (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University)Office: 420GPhone: 303-315-2145Email: lucy.dwight@ucdenver.eduRace and ethnic relations, urban and community sociology, statistics, research methods

Karl Flaming, Professor (Ph.D., Syracuse University)Office: 420PPhone: 303-315-2146Email: karl.flaming@ucdenver.eduUrban applied, gerontology, inter-group relations, housing and society

Paula Fomby, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison)Office: 420TPhone: 303-315-2141Email: paula.fomby@ucdenver.eduFamily demography, social inequality, poverty and public policy

Akihiko Hirose, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of California, Riverside)Office: 420QPhone: 303-315-2147Email: akihiko.hirose@ucdenver.eduSociological theory, race and gender, organizations

Patrick Krueger, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder)Office: 420NPhone: 303-315-2136Email: patrick.krueger@ucdenver.eduPopulation health, medical sociology, social demography, health behavior & life styles, statistical methods

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5. STUDENT RESOURCES

a. Graduate Program Director/Graduate Adviser

Students are encouraged to meet with the Graduate Program Director since s/he acts as a formal mentor until students establish their thesis advisors. It is also a student’s responsibility to confirm all degree requirements with the Graduate Program Director. Our current Graduate Program Director/ Graduate Adviser is Dr. Akihiko Hirose.

Contact Info: 303-315-2147 Office 420Q akihiko.hirose@ucdenver.edu

b. Research Area Mentors

There are three research areas that the Department identifies as our major strengths. Each area has mentors with whom students can consult when their research interests fall within the three areas.

Family: Candan Duran-Aydintug, Karl Flaming, Paula Formby

Crime and Deviance: Stacey Bosick, Akihiko Hirose

c. Financial Aid

Currently, there is no financial aid at the department level. Tuition assistance and financial aid information can be found at the Student Service Center in the lobby of the North Classroom Building. For scholarship information, students should contact the UCD Scholarship/Resource Office (CU Denver Building, Suite 110).

Teaching assistantshipsThe Department of Sociology occasionally has some teaching assistant positions available for current M.A. students. The Department Chair, after consulting with faculty, will determine which students qualify to be teaching assistants. Please ask the Graduate Program Director for more information.

Research Assistantships Research assistant positions may be available depending on individual faculty member’s research. Please ask the Graduate Program Director for further information.

d. Graduate Student Liaison

The position of graduate student liaison is assigned to a current full-time graduate student by the Department Chair. The function of the graduate student liaison is to serve as an informal communication link between graduate students and the faculty. As the representative of the sociology graduate student body, the liaison will communicate to the faculty student’s needs, concerns, complaints, as well as transmit relevant departmental information to the students. However, all students are encouraged to communicate with faculty on an individual basis and each student is responsible for acquiring official information from the Department of Sociology.

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e. Sociology Student Club

The Students of Sociology (SOS) Club is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. The SOS club has several important goals:

To provide a social environments for students to create important networks and access resources at UCD.

To act as an impartial liaison between students and faculty in the Sociology Department. To hold regular official meetings and social events.

Informal networks can be very beneficial for students by providing academic, professional, and most importantly, emotional support. Students are strongly encouraged to socialize with their fellow students. For more information, please email the current president Joshua Goode: jagoode27@gmail.com

f. Sociological Professional Organizations

Students are encouraged to actively participate in sociological professional organizations. There are many benefits in becoming a student member of professional organizations. Every year, UCD Sociology graduate students travel to present their papers at the meetings of sociological organizations such as American Sociological Association or Pacific Sociological Association. Participation to those meetings is a valuable asset in developing professional career. For more information please visit their websites:

American Sociological Association www.asanet.org

Pacific Sociological Association www.pacificsoc.org

g. International Students

Graduate education can be quite a stressful experience in itself, but being an international graduate student can often add additional pressures. Academic norms are by no means universal and a transition from one academic world to another is not easy. The Department of Sociology has faculty experienced in advising international students. International students should also get in touch with the Office of International Education, 303-315-2230.

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6. OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

a. General Requirements

Departmental Requirements Core required courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher in order to count

toward the degree. Core courses include SOCY 5000 – Professional Seminar, SOCY 5014 – Classical

Sociological Theory, SOCY 5015 – Contemporary Sociological Theory, SOCY 5024 – Research Methods, SOCY 5183 – Quantitative Data Analysis

Undergraduate deficiency courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher in order to satisfy deficiency requirements. These grades do not count in the cumulative G.P.A. of the student.

If a student does not meet the provisions above, they must re-take the course at the next available opportunity. If they do not earn the grade provisions above a second time, they will be suspended from the program (see the section on academic probation and suspension below).

No course with a grade below B- will count toward graduation. All core courses (see above) must be completed with a B or higher.

All courses counted toward graduation must be at the 5000 level or above.

Graduate School and University Requirements: A student is required to maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.00 in all course work applied

to the degree program. Grades received in courses transferred from another institution and/or grades earned

while classified as a special student are not included in the cumulative G.P.A. Courses applied to a graduate degree may not be taken pass/fail. Students have up to five years (seven for those entering prior to 2008) to complete their

master’s degree beginning with the start of coursework after they have been admitted to the program. Students can request a leave of absence if situations arise that legitimately affect the ability to complete the program within this time span, but the leave must be approved by the sociology program.

Graduate Academic Probation and DismissalIf a regular graduate student’s cumulative G.P.A. in graduate course work falls below 3.00 or if they earn a course grade less than a B-, the Graduate Dean in consultation with the Graduate Director will place the student on academic probation. In the semester following placement on probation, the student must achieve a 3.00 G.P.A. in all course work taken that semester, and earn no lower than a B in all courses undertaken. Otherwise, he or she will be dismissed from the program by the Graduate Dean in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. At the end of the second semester following the placement on probation, the student must raise his or her cumulative G.P.A. in graduate course work to 3.00. Otherwise, he or she will be dismissed from the program by the Graduate Dean in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. In the case of extenuating circumstances, the Graduate Program Director may petition the Graduate School on behalf of the student for an extension of the probationary time period. A decision will be made by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the Graduate Dean.

Incomplete GradesWhen a student has special circumstances that make it impossible to complete course assignments, faculty members have the discretion to award an incomplete grade. Incomplete grades are not awarded for poor academic performance or as a way of extending assignment

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deadlines. While not required, a CLAS course completion agreement form is strongly suggested when faculty and student agree on an incomplete grade.To be eligible for an incomplete grade, students must:

have successfully completed 75 percent of the course. have special circumstances (verification may be required) that preclude the student from

attending class and completing graded assignments. make arrangements to complete missing assignments with the original instructor.

Independent Study Graduate students may take up to a total of six independent study credits as elective credits under the direct supervision of a graduate faculty member and with the approval of the Program Director.. The minimum UCD GPA required to register for independent study credits is 3.00. Each independent study project may be taken for 1-3 credits. The primary purpose of independent study is to enable students to pursue knowledge in an area not covered by a regularly offered course or to pursue an area of research in much greater depth than is possible through an existing course. Independent study places the major responsibility for learning directly upon the student. Therefore, a student should not undertake to do an independent study unless he or she can assume considerable responsibility in planning and carrying out a project independently. Students are not permitted to consider an independent study until they have completed the core course requirements. Students must use the special processing form to outline the project and how the grade will be determined, which then must be approved by the supervising faculty member and the CLAS Dean’s office.

Transfer CreditThe Department of Sociology may accept up to nine credits in appropriate course work from an accredited graduate program elsewhere with the department’s Graduate Committee approval. Students must submit a syllabus or a list of readings and assignments along with an official transcript for each transfer course for evaluation. No transfer credits will be granted for courses in which the student receives a grade of B- or below.

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b. General Expectations

Graduate education, simply put, means the post-baccalaureate education that a student can receive if he/she has earned a Bachelor's degree and has shown the aptitude for more advanced training in the field. However, graduate education is not merely an advanced form of undergraduate education. There are some significant differences between graduate study and undergraduate study.

First, as this Handbook specifies, the technicalities of advisement, classes, and requirements for graduation differ from that of undergraduate. This is particularly true when it comes to graduate program status and classification, the academic program, and the requirements for graduation.

Second, graduate students are expected to enter the Sociology graduate program with core knowledge of the field in theory, research methods, and statistics. Students who lack sufficient background in sociology are required to pass necessary undergraduate deficiency courses in order to begin the required graduate sequences. Students who pursue the M.A. in sociology can expect to deepen their understanding of theory, methods, and major sociological areas. The faculty of the Master's level courses presume students have a good working knowledge of theory, methods, and statistics as well as the ability to think and write critically.

Third, there is a significant difference between graduate education and undergraduate education in the amount, quality, and professionalism of the work involved. Graduate students are expected to have the maturity to attend class and come on time, maintain a professional level of behavior in class, and otherwise take responsibility for their work and performance. Full time graduate enrollment requires fewer units than undergraduate because the work is more involved, requires more time and attention, and includes a higher degree of critical thinking and application than undergraduate courses do. A rough estimate of the work of a graduate class is two to three times the amount of work for the same number of undergraduate units. Therefore, faculty members assume that graduate students are dedicated to advanced learning in their fields. One of the goals of the program is for its graduate students to become more like apprentices to faculty mentors and less like passive, detached students.

Furthermore, faculty will require research papers, in-depth essay exams, presentations, and other kinds of work that show not only basic knowledge of the material but also the ways in which the student extends, critiques, and/or applies the material to research and theoretical issues. Graduate school can be a creative and challenging academic environment that will help nurture and further develop students of sociology.

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7. PLANS OF STUDY

Two plans of study are available for students pursuing M.A. in sociology at UCD.

I: Thesis Option - Requires a thesis

II: Project Option - Requires a project and internship

Both options require a minimum of 36 hours.

a. Summary of Study

Core Course Requirements (15 credit hours)SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar       3 hours             SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory   3 hoursSOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory        3 hours SOCY 5024 Research Methods 3 hoursSOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis                  3 hours

AND

I Thesis Option Requirements (total 36 credit hours)Core Course Requirements 15 hoursFive Elective Courses 15 hoursSOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis 6 hours

OR

II Project Option Requirements (total 36 credit hours)Core Courses Requirements 15 hoursFive Elective Courses 15 hoursInternship 3 hours                     SOCY 5964 Master’s Project                                        3 hours

b. Core Course Requirements

Core courses are required for all graduate students regardless of their choice of the Thesis or Project option. Students must complete the Core Course Requirements and at least 12 hours of Elective Credit Requirements before enrolling for Master’s Thesis or Master’s Project credits.

SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar: Introduction to Sociological InquiryThe SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar must be taken during Fall semester of the first year by every incoming graduate student regardless of whether he/she has undergraduate deficiency requirements. No exception is allowed.

Theory and Methods SequencesStudents who are officially admitted to the program are required to follow a sequential plan. There are two sequential requirements:

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Theory Sequence Requirement SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory (offered every Fall semester) must be taken before students take SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory/Theory Construction (offered in every Spring semester)

Similarly, if students are required to fill undergraduate theory deficiency requirements, they must follow the undergraduate theory sequence by taking SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory before they take SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory. This sequence must be finished before enrolling in SOCY 5014.

Method Sequence RequirementSOCY 5024 Research Methods (offered in Fall semester) must be taken before SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis (offered in Spring semester).

c. Elective Credit Requirements

Students can take an unlimited number of sociology graduate seminars (i.e., 5000 level stacked or not) to fulfill their 15 elective credits or a combination of the following:

Independent study: a maximum 6 credit hours Internship: a maximum 3 credit hours Courses in other departments: a maximum 6 credit hours

o Students must consult with the Graduate Program Director regarding which courses count toward graduation.

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8. MASTER’S THESIS AND PROJECT

Each Master’s student must complete some form of original research in the final stage of his/her degree. While this usually takes the form of a Master’s thesis, the department also offers students the option of completing a Master’s project. Students should note that both the thesis and the project require discipline and a good deal of work in researching, writing and re-writing of material. Specifically, students should anticipate completing at least three drafts of their final project/thesis before it is ready for a defense. For many this can be a difficult and stressful stage in the overall Master’s degree process; however, with a good foundation of coursework, a reasonable time line, and a strong proposal this can also be the most exciting period of a student’s M.A. career.

Whether students are working on a thesis or a project, they will be expected to turn in a chapter at a time to his/her thesis/project chair instead of waiting until completing the entire thesis/project. Students should expect an average turn-around time of two to three weeks, depending on the time in the semester and in order to avoid last minute rushes. The process of going from proposal to a completed thesis/project rarely takes less than two semesters to complete. Students should prepare to write and rewrite several drafts before completion. Also, it is a good idea to check with the chair of one’s committee and the second and third member to assure that they are not going on sabbatical during the last year of the thesis/project as this can make a timely termination of degree more difficult.

Before beginning this final stage of graduate studies, students should consult the Graduate School website for deadlines and forms necessary to complete the final steps needed to graduate (http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/student-services/academic-resources/Pages/Masters.aspx ).

a. Thesis/Project Committee

Each student must put together a three member faculty committee to supervise the entire M.A. thesis or project from proposal to defense. All committee members must have graduate faculty status in the Graduate School. A list of current graduate faculty may be found on the Graduate School website (http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/graduate-faculty/Pages/graduate-faculty-directory.aspx ). If a potential faculty member is not listed or if the list indicates the faculty member’s appointment has expired, the student should contact the Sociology Graduate Program Director to find out if the potential committee member has an active graduate faculty appointment.

The chair of the committee is the student’s principal advisor at the final stage of graduate education. Students should work closely with the chair of their committee on the entire thesis/project process, submitting a proposal and choosing second and third committee members to the completion of completing a thesis/project. While students primarily work with the chair of the committee (the thesis/project advisor) throughout the process, it is still essential to select appropriate committee members who can help the students with their scholarly expertise. It is strongly advised that students start early on their thesis processes and involve their committee members when they have questions or concerns about their research.

Please note that while the faculty members have a duty to help students through this process, the student is responsible for the development of an acceptable proposal. Students who undertake

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research beyond the proposal-writing stage without having secured the committee's agreement to serve and its approval of the proposal are at risk of investing time and effort in a thesis/project which may ultimately prove to be unacceptable to the Department.

b. Thesis/Project Proposal

Prior to working on a thesis/project, all students are required to complete a proposal outlining the scope, intent, importance, and methodology of their thesis/project. All students must have their thesis proposal approved and signed off by each member of their committee prior to signing up for master thesis/project units. (See Appendix for the Thesis/Project Proposal Approval Form).

The thesis/project proposal provides a map for a student’s larger project. It formally organizes the student’s thinking about the topic. Most proposals include four main components: Introduction to the study, the theoretical framework(s) to be used, a review of literature, and a statement of methodology. If a student cannot address these four areas, he/she is probably not ready to write a proposal. Essentially, the proposal should do the following:

State the principal hypothesis, thesis, or central arguments to be investigated Locate the thesis in relation to existing literature on the subject (literature review) Describe the method(s) which will be used Describe the expected results Discuss the potential value of the thesis/project Indicate potential problems and how they will be dealt with Outline subsequent chapters/subsections of the research.

Thesis/Project Proposal Guidelines Title: Students must make sure to develop a title that encompasses the scope of the

proposed research and gives the committee members a “heads up” on what the proposal will address.

Introduction: In one or two paragraphs, students should briefly introduce the research topic and identify the sections that the paper is going to cover.

Research Question: Students should consider the following questions:o What is your research question? Please state it clearly in this brief paragraph.

Why is your research question important enough to be the subject of your Master’s thesis or project? In the case of a project, state the key question(s) that your project will address and how. For example, what important questions will your educational curriculum or grant proposal pose? What controversies will be considered? How will your project present those controversies and attempt to answer critical questions?

The Role of Theory: Students should consider the following questions:o What theory/theories and related concepts form the framework of your thesis or

project? Define the concepts you will use and how they relate to your work. In the case of a research study, propose a hypothesis that you will test

Literature Review /Current State of the Question: Students should explain the background and the current state of the topic and outline briefly the most significant scholarly studies in the area. Appropriate citations must be included.

Methodology: Students should consider the following questions:o What sociological methods will you propose to use to answer your research

question? Your study can use either quantitative or qualitative methods or an appropriate combination.

o What is your justification for using the methods you have selected? Present elements of your research design. For example, you will need to include

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information about the population you will be using (and why), how you will sample the population, data collection techniques and measurement instruments/interpretive methods you will use, the ways in which you will record your data, how you plan to analyze your data, and limitations of your approach. Brief information about human subjects’ protection and related ethical issues is appropriate in this section.

Concluding Section: This section presents some information on what a student can anticipate finding or learning from the proposed study. This should take the form of a well-rounded discussion on what the student thinks he or she’ll uncover, why the findings will be valuable, and to whom. Discuss how the findings will be potentially useful for the target audiences.

Formattingo The proposal should be approximately 8-12 pages, double-spaced, typed in 10-12

point traditional font (e.g., Times New Roman). o It should have a title, and include your name, committee member names (if

available), and date on the title page.o It needs to include at least bibliographical references. These must be listed on a

separate “References” page at the end.o Use major headings, and level 2 and 3 sub-headings, as appropriate.o Use 1" margins on all sides, and either footnotes, endnotes, or author/year

citations, as appropriate.o Use ASA style or any recognized style that is used correctly and consistently.

Citations should be complete, containing all the requisite information.

A formal thesis/project proposal approved and signed by the three committee members whom the student has selected must be submitted to the Graduate Program Director at the beginning of the semester during which the student registered for the first thesis hour:

Fall Semester--Proposal due September 17

Spring Semester--Proposal due February 18

Summer Semester--Proposal due June 10

(It is highly recommended, however, that students submit the proposal during the prior Spring semester if he or she wants to begin the thesis/project during the summer.)

No student may proceed with a thesis without a signed proposal: If a student fails to meet the deadline and submit his or her proposal late, there is no guarantee on the timeliness of faculty feedback on either the proposal or any subsequent writing he or she does that semester. Without a signed proposal by the end of the semester during which a student registers for his or her first semester of thesis hours, the student will not be permitted to sign up for a second semester of thesis hours. This will delay the student’s thesis completion and date of graduation.

c. Master’s Thesis Option

Generally speaking, students are advised to pursue a thesis if they plan to pursue a doctoral degree because many Ph.D. programs tend to use research as a criterion for admission. The experience of completing original research should also help students in the dissertation process. Students who choose the thesis option will complete an original piece of research of approximately 60-100 pages in length.

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The Master’s Thesis option requires the completion of 30 semester hours of graduate course work and 6 hours of Master’s thesis. A thesis can be a qualitative or quantitative research study, or a theoretical paper. The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate the student’s ability to execute a professional level sociological study. The skills required include:

Familiarity with previously published literature on the problem Formulation of a hypothesis or research question Specification of appropriate procedures or research design Collecting or accessing relevant information or data An appropriate analysis of materials An appropriate interpretation of the results, conclusions and implications of the study Effective written communication of the information in an appropriate style (e.g., ASA) A satisfactory oral defense of the work

Students should obtain the newest copy of the “Guidelines for Preparing Masters’ and Doctoral Theses” from the Graduate School website:

http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/program-resources/Forms/Guidelines%20for%20Thesis_Dissertations.pdf

If students are interested in seeing what previous sociology M.A. theses look like, there is a collection of theses in the department library.

Thesis Submission ProcessesIn the semester in which a student intends to submit the thesis for examination, he or she must first submit an Application for Admission to Candidacy to the Graduate School. This initiates the process of determining if the student has met all of the other requirements for the degree and is eligible to submit a thesis.

All theses must be submitted to the Graduate School for format review before the final examination or defense. This review ensures that the material is presented in a readable format that is consistent with the standards of the University. Students will receive back a list of format revisions that must be made before the final copy is submitted. Students also will be working with their graduate advisor/committee to make content revisions prior to submitting the final copy.

The student then submits a Request for Examination, which publicly announces the exam or defense for all interested parties. At the exam or defense, the student may be asked to revise or add to the thesis before it is approved. The revised thesis is then submitted to the examination committee for final approval.

Once the thesis is signed by the appropriate faculty committee, three reproduced or original copies of the thesis, two on CU bond and one on regular paper must be submitted. The University keeps all three of these copies. The student may also order additional copies at this time. The binding fee is due and payable when the thesis is submitted to the Graduate School. Since fees are subject to change, contact the Graduate School for current fees.

For more detailed information, please visit the Graduate School’s academic resources page:http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/student-services/academic-resources/Pages/default.aspx

d. Master’s Project Option19

The Master’s Project option involves 30 semester hours of graduate course work and three hours of internship and three hours of project hours. The Master’s Project refers to applied sociological work such as educational curriculum, a grant, a program evaluation, a description of a professional experience, or an internship. This option must be accompanied by a related scholarly paper of 30-50 pages, double spaced. The project option allows these students to conduct research with the goal of translating the material into something immediately useful to a setting outside of the university. While students enrolled in this option will have to take additional coursework (i.e., internship), the writing element of the project is about half that of a thesis. While the project option allows some flexibility for the student and advisor to determine the final form of the research, M.A. projects need to be passed through a committee in the same manner as a traditional thesis. A project is typically done for three credit hours, but with the consultation of program directors and project advisor, a particularly involved or complex project may earn more credit hours. Such an agreement should be put in writing. Project guidelines such as the proposal and final draft deadlines, human subjects review, assembling a three-person committee, and scheduling an oral defense are identical to those outlined in the thesis requirements described above.

e. Thesis/Project Examination (Defense)

Once a graduate student has completed several drafts of his/her thesis/project and sufficiently satisfied any questions of the committee chair, the committee will decide whether or not he or she is ready to defend and must approve the scheduling of a defense. This is one of the final stages of the degree process and typically entails a review of the research (including the central hypothesis, evidence collected, significance of research, and any problems/unexpected results encountered) in front of the entire thesis/project committee. Students are asked questions about their work and are expected to be able to defend their research and their approach in a professional manner.

Students fill out the Request for Examination form in consultation with their committee chair (graduate advisor) to set the date of the exam. The exam should be scheduled prior to the semester deadline so that any revisions required by the committee can be completed by the end of the semester. It's advisable to have the student’s advisor/committee chair initial the date of exam, since no signature line is included.

The Graduate Program Director will give the student permission to proceed with scheduling the defense. It is then the student's responsibility to schedule the exam and make sure that all committee members agree to the date, time, and place.

If the student successfully defends his or her thesis/project then the members of the committee will sign off and the final product will need to be submitted to the Graduate School. However, there are usually further revisions to be made after the defense and before the final product can be submitted as complete.

Register for thesis credit (required): Students must be registered during the semester of their final examinations/defenses (this also applies to students working on IP’s or IW’s). Registration for submitting only the thesis is not required if the defense was held in a previous semester. A student who wishes to schedule an examination/defense between semesters may use the previous or the following semester’s registration to meet this requirement (NOTE: Summer session is considered a separate semester.) For the purpose of this registration requirement, a new semester begins on the first day of instruction for that semester.

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f. Human Subjects

The Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (COMIRB) is responsible for reviewing and overseeing human subject research conducted at the University of Colorado, Denver Campus. Legal requirements to protect human subjects apply to a much broader range than many researchers realize, and applying the regulations is not always a straightforward process. In light of this difficulty and the potential consequences for noncompliance, researchers are advised to consult with COMIRB when uncertain whether the activity is considered human subject research. 

Students contemplating the use of human subjects in their research (includes surveys, interviews, and/or any kind of information obtained by using persons as test subjects) must submit review forms and obtain approval from the COMIRB before beginning such research.  Information on the COMIRB on the Downtown Denver campus is available at http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/research/AboutUs/comirb/Pages/comirb-home.aspx. 

Animal SubjectsStudents doing research that uses animals in any form must have their research protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. See their website for information: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/research/AboutUs/animal/Pages/index.aspx

9. GRADUATION

During the final stages of graduate education, it is important that students adhere to the deadline dates in order to ensure a smooth graduation process. For more complete and detailed information, please visit the Graduate School MA advising page: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/student-services/academic-resources/Pages/Masters.aspx

Be sure to refer to the procedure for the Denver Campus, not the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Graduation Forms for Master's Candidates Complete and submit the following (see below):

Intent to Graduate (online process): This must be completed at the beginning of the semester the student plans to graduate, even if previously submitted

Application for Admission to Candidacy Form: This form is used to list all the credits (courses, thesis/project, independent study/internship, and transfer) the student wishes to apply toward the degree plan, which is then signed by the Graduate Program Director, Department Chair and student. It must be filled out as completely as possible, including: the instructor's name, course title/number, semester taken and grade received for every credit.

Request for Graduate Examination Form: (submit at least two weeks prior to exam)

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10. CHECK LIST FOR M.A. DEGREE

Application___ Complete application form or apply online___ Three (3) letters of recommendation ___ Two (2) copies of official transcripts sent ___ Statement of purpose and goal of graduate study ___ Writing sample ___ GRE score (optional)___ TOEFL score (if applicable)___ Confirm the status

Undergraduate Deficiency Course Requirements (if applicable)___ SOCY 3111 Research Methods___ SOCY 3121 Statistics___ SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory___ SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory

Core Course Requirements___ SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar___ SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory               ___ SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory       ___ SOCY 5024 Research Methods___ SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis                      

___ Elective Course Requirements

___ Internship Requirements (Project Option only)

Thesis/Project___ Select three committee members___ Thesis/Project Proposal___ Thesis/Project Proposal Approval From ___ Application for Admission to Candidacy___ Schedule thesis/project defense___ Submit thesis format review ___ Intent to Graduate Form___ Request for Graduate Examination Form ___ Thesis Submission Sheet___ Request for Graduate Examination Form ___ Master’s Thesis ___ Master’s Project

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11. SAMPLE TIMELINES

Below are several sample timelines for completing the program. Obviously, there can be as many scenarios as the number of students who, after all, face many different financial and social conditions. These sample timelines are, therefore, for a reference purpose only.

Time limit Master’s degree students have a maximum of five years from the date of the start of course work after admission to the program to complete all degree requirements. If a student exceeds this time limit, he/she must obtain an approved extension from the Graduate Program Director and the CLAS Dean of Graduate Studies.

TABLE 1 shows a two-year plan for the Thesis Option. This model is recommended only for students who have no undergraduate deficiencies and can maintain full time graduate status throughout two years.

TABLE 1: Two-year Plan Timeline Model with Thesis Option

First Year

Fall

SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar 3SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory 3SOCY 5024 Research Methods 3Elective Course 1 3

Subtotal 12Spring SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3

SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis 3Elective Course 2 3 Subtotal 9

Second YearFall SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis 3

Elective Course 3 3Elective Course 4 3

Subtotal 9Spring SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis 3

Elective Course 5 3Subtotal 6

Total 36

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TABLE 2 shows a two-year plan for the Project Option. This model is also recommended only for students who have no undergraduate deficiencies and can maintain full time graduate status throughout two years.

TABLE 2: Two-year Plan Timeline Model with Project Option

First Year

Fall

SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar 3SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory 3SOCY 5024 Research Methods 3Elective Course 1 3

Subtotal 12Spring SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3

SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis 3Elective Course 2 3 Subtotal 9

Second YearFall Internship 3

Elective Course 3Elective Course 3

Subtotal 9Spring SOCY 5964 Master’s Project 3

Elective Course 3Subtotal 6

Total 36

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TABLE 3 shows a three-year plan for the Thesis Option. This model involves undergraduate theory deficiencies which require a student to enroll in SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory and SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory. The graduate theory sequence (SOCY 5014 & 5015) starts on the beginning of the second year.

TABLE 3: Three-year Plan Model with Thesis Option Involving Theory Deficiencies*

First Year

Fall

SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory* DSOCY 5000 Professional Seminar 3SOCY 5024 Research Methods 3Elective Course 3

Subtotal 9Spring SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory* D

SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis 3Elective Course 3 Subtotal 6

Second YearFall SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory 3

Elective Course 3Elective Course 3

Subtotal 9Spring SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3

Elective Course 3Subtotal 6

Third YearFall SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis 3Spring SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis 3

Subtotal 6Total 36

*These courses do not count toward graduate elective credits.

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12. SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

* = core required courses for all graduate students

SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar: Introduction to Sociological Inquiry*Professional Seminar is designed to orient new graduate students to graduate education and the profession of sociology. Students are introduced to aspects of their graduate and professional careers and acquainted with the UCD Sociology graduate program and members of the graduate faculty and their research and interests. The seminar is generally instructed by the Graduate Program Director, but many topics are also guided by other faculty members in the department. Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. program Required: All entering graduate students are required to enroll for the Professional Seminar during their first fall semester, including students with undergraduate deficiencies and transferred students. Offered every Fall semester.

SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory*Classical Sociological Theory examines the emergence and development of sociological ideas, concepts, and principles. It introduces students the historical and social contexts in which theories of society are instituted. Particular attention is paid to the importance of and implication to contemporary sociology made by classical sociologists such as Durkheim, Marx, and Weber. Prerequisite: Regular admittance into M.A. program or the completion of undergraduate theory deficiency requirements. Required: The first required graduate theory course. Offered every Fall semester.

SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theories *Contemporary Sociological Theory/Theory Construction analyzes contemporary sociological theory and examines the process of theory construction.Prerequisites: SOC 5014 Classical Sociological Theory Required: The second required graduate theory course. Offered every Spring semester.

SOCY5024 Research Methods*Problems and procedures in research design, data collection and processing.Prerequisite: Regular admittance into M.A. program or the completion of undergraduate method deficiency requirements. Required: The first required graduate method course. Offered every Fall semester.

SOCY5110 Sociology of Health Care Examines the health care institutions of the United States. Issues such as rising costs, the effect of class, racial and gender inequality, the professionalization and monopolization of roles, current restructuring, construction of illness and health, managed care, health care for profit, and the ethics of health care decisions.

SOCY5120 Popular Culture and the American FamilyA course in family sociology about the ways in which the American family is portrayed in the mass media and popular culture are studied. Even though the historical evolution of this reciprocal relationship is not ignored, the focus is on today’s relevant issues.

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SOCY5183 Quantitative Data Analysis*A research-oriented seminar stressing the utilization of social data already collected in the test or generation of sociological theory.Prerequisites: SOC 5024 Research Required: The second required graduate method course. Offered every spring.

SOCY5220 Population Change and AnalysisThe sociological importance of population study, advanced demographic analysis, and population theory.

SOCY5430 Societies in TransitionA description and analysis of changing social structures and social relationships as a response to technological innovation and change.

SOCY5440 Social InequalityThe historical development of various systems of production of social surplus, its differential distribution among distinct social groups, and the effects on social structure.

SOCY 5475 Self and IdentityA course in social psychology focusing on individuals in social interaction. Focuses on self-conception, identify presentation of self, and self and emotion management. Major theories and research in social psychology literature are examined.

SOCY 5550 Sociology of the FamilyAn intensive review and analysis of the family as a social institution.

SOCY 5610 Sociology of ReligionAn intensive review and analysis of the fundamental tenets of religion as a social institution, with emphasis on present-day religious cults, their beliefs and activities in society.

SOCY 5640 Sociology of Childhood and AdolescenceAn in-depth overview of the theories and research regarding the life course understanding of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Children´s lives and cultures in relation to adults and their transition from childhood to adolescence are studied.

SOCY 5650 Sociology of Adulthood and AgingAn in-depth overview of the theories and research using the life course understanding of adulthood and aging. Adult’s lives, the transition from adulthood to elderly status, and social policy issues are also studied.

SOCY 5660 Social PsychologySociological approaches to the study of the self, role theory, persons in situations, identifications, socialization, and other characteristics of persons in society.

SOCY 5680 Hate Groups and Group ViolenceSocial sciences help us understand the phenomena of hate groups and group violence and contribute toward their elimination. Examples are examined using theoretical perspectives on different levels of analysis and within different areas of research.

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SOCY 5690 Crime and Inequality Over the Life CourseA life-course perspective on issues of inequality and crime. Studies transitions, trajectories and turning points as key features of the life course. Considers how life inequalities and criminal behavior are shaped by the timing of experiences, historical and geographic contexts, other people's lives, and human agency.

SOCY 5750 CriminologyAn intensive review and analysis of the literature and research dealing with the sociology of crime in modern society.

SOCY 5770 Advanced Topics in Sociology Advanced study of special topics in sociology. The topics to be selected by the instructor.

SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis*Prerequisite: All core courses SOC 5000, 5014, 5015, 5024, 5183 must be taken before enrolling for SOC 5955 Master’s Thesis

SOCY 5964 Master’s Project*Prerequisite: All core courses SOC 5000, 5014, 5015, 5024, 5183 must be taken before enrolling for SOC 5964 Master’s Project

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