SOC Online Masters FAQ

Program Fit and Careers

• Is this program for me?
• What can I do with this degree?
• Will I graduate from this program with any special licenses or certifications?

Online Format and Coursework

• How does an online class work? Do I need to "attend" class online on specific days and times?
• How long is each class?
• Do I need to come to campus to complete this degree?
• Do you accept transfer courses/credits?
• What does a sample schedule for this program look like?

Applying

• How do I apply?
• When are applications due?
• Are GREs required?
• If I am completing (or completed) a major unrelated to Family and Human Development, can I still be admitted into this program?

Program Cost

• How much does the program cost?
• Does the program offer any special scholarships, grants, or teaching/research assistant positions to help cover program costs?
• Can I work while going to school?

General Program Information

• Is this program accredited?
• When can I begin the program?
• How long does it take to complete the program?
• Do you accept transfer courses/credits?
• If this program does not require a thesis, what does it require?
• Will I graduate from this program with any special licenses or certifications?
• Will my diploma or transcripts specify that this is an online program or that courses were taken online?

For More information

• If I still have questions, who should I contact?

Program Fit and Careers

Is this program for me?

If you are wondering if this is the program for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does this particular program fit with your individual goals and aspirations? Before beginning ANY graduate program, it is useful to have a clear vision of your career goals and an understanding of what will help you advance in that career.
• Do you have a hard time with time management and being self disciplined? Every graduate degree requires organization, time-management, and self-discipline; however, an online and accelerated format can require this to a greater extent in order to ensure you stay on top of deadlines and keep up with the work-load with decreased face-to-face contact with faculty and students.
• Do you need a flexible schedule? The online degree is flexible because we understand that many students work full-time and have families. Like any graduate degree, there are high expectations for students to keep up, be engaged, and be professional.
• Are you interested in earning a PhD some day? Typically, a terminal master's degree is NOT a path to earning a PhD (although it is not unheard of or impossible).

If an understanding of society, social institutions, and global affairs can enhance your career and help you achieve your goals, if you are ready to be an active learner, and if you are ready to be in control of your education and academic progress, then this is a great program for you!

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What can I do with this degree?

For many students, the Master's in Sociology is a vehicle to a better job, better position, or better pay. Other students pursue this degree because of a passion for the field, a desire to apply what they learn to their existing job, or aspirations to address social needs and issues in applied settings. Graduates from programs such as this often find work in a variety of human services settings, including:

• human resources
• community support programs
• non-profit organizations
• government agencies
• child protective services
• private business
• education support and administration in elementary schools, high schools, and universities
• family violence centers
• crisis intervention centers
• before and after school programs
• early childhood centers
• family support and child care
• law enforcement
• correctional facilities or juvenile detention centers
• adoption agencies
• health centers and hospitals
• volunteer centers
• youth programs
• nursing homes
• group homes
• customer service centers

Additionally, this program can enhance professional degrees and careers students may already have. Teachers; lawyers; speech, occupational, and recreational therapists; police officers; substance abuse counselors; and medical and health professionals, to name a few, could apply the information from this program to increase their knowledge base and job effectiveness.

Will I graduate from this program with any special licenses or certifications?

You will graduate from this program with a Master of Arts; however, this program does not provide any additional licensing or certifications.

Online Format and Coursework

How does an online class work? Do I need to "attend" class online on specific days and times?

Our online classes are flexible and recognize variations in student needs and schedules! Although classes will have assignments, projects, and exams due by specific dates, students are able to access course materials, readings, lectures, and discussion boards at their convenience.

How long is each class?

Fall and spring classes run for 7.5 weeks and summer classes run for 6 weeks. Because each class is accelerated, students are expected to devote approximately 10 to 20 hours per week per class.

Do I need to come to campus to complete this degree?

No, the online Master's in Sociology will be completed completely online; however, we do try to foster an active student community through the internet.

Do you accept transfer courses/credits?

All students are required to complete 30 credit hours of Sociology coursework from the Sanford School; however, if you have completed a graduate level research methods or statistics course, it can be evaluated for equivalency to our courses. If approved, we will waive the statistics and/or research methods requirement for you (i.e., you will not need to re-take research methods and/or statistics). Instead, you will consult with the director of online graduate studies to find SOC MA courses to take in place of these waived courses. If you have questions concerning a research methods or statistics course you have taken, you can e-mail [email protected].

What does a sample schedule for this program look like?

You can view course maps under the Program of Study tab at the top of this page.

Applying

How do I apply?

Check out Application Requirements at the bottom of this page for information on how to apply.

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When are applications due?

Admissions deadlines are as follows:

Are GREs required?

No, GREs are not required for admission to this program.

If I am completing (or completed) a major unrelated to Sociology, can I still be admitted into this program?

If you do not come from a Sociology, Social Behavioral, or Social Science background, you are still welcome and eligible to apply and be admitted to this program! Sociology is an interdisciplinary field - no single background is better suited for this degree than another. Your academic and work experience may qualify you for the Master's degree in Sociology. Additionally, students with no education or experience in this field may have the opportunity to be admitted to the program conditionally, allowing students to be admitted to the program, followed by completing supplemental coursework related to the field prior to officially beginning the Master's program.

Program Cost

How much does the program cost?

Visit https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/graduate/master-arts-so... to see the cost per credit hour for this program. Students can find more detailed tuition information by visiting https://students.asu.edu/tuitionandfees.

Does the program offer any special scholarships, grants, or teaching/research assistant positions to help cover program costs?

Through the generosity of special contributors, the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics is able to provide students with funding. Sanford School Master's students are encouraged to apply. The number of positions and scholarships vary from year to year depending upon the number of current and entering graduate students who are eligible for support, and the financial support available to the school.

You can learn more about these opportunities by visiting the Scholarships tab at the top of this page.

Can I work while going to school?

This program was designed based on the recognition that many students who are interested in advancing their education also work and have lives outside of school making it difficult or impossible to engage in an on-campus program. The 7.5 week online class format makes this program a great option for such students. The program is intended to be a full-time program, with accelerated (7.5 week long) classes that require approximately 15 to 20 hours of your time per week per class; however, many busy students find that the workload is manageable due to the shorter class length (7.5 weeks rather than 15 weeks) and the flexibility offered with the online format. Additionally, busy students appreciate the fact that the program can be completed in 15-18 months, at which point they are able to advance in or begin their careers.

General Program Information

Is this program accredited?

This is an accredited program in that it is from an accredited university; however, this degree does provide students with any licenses or certifications. It does not train, certify, or license students to counsel or provide therapy. You can read more about ASU's accreditation at http://accreditation.asu.edu/accreditation-asu-academic-programs.

When can I begin the program?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for entry Fall, Spring, or Summer. Students may begin the program in one of five sessions:

Fall A (begins mid-August)
Spring A (begins mid-January)
Summer (begins mid-May).

How long does it take to complete the program?

If you follow the prescribed schedule (1-2 classes per 7.5 week session), then you can complete the program in as few as 15 to 18 months.

Graduate Education policies dictate that students must be registered for a minimum of one credit hour during all phases of their graduate education, with registration for every fall semester and spring semester required. Additionally, Graduate Education policies require students to complete their master's degree within 6 years.

Do you accept transfer courses/credits?

All students are required to complete 30 credit hours of Sociology coursework from the Sanford School; however, if you have completed a graduate level research methods or statistics course, it can be evaluated for equivalency to our courses. If approved, we will waive the statistics and/or research methods requirement for you (i.e., you will not need to re-take research methods and/or statistics). Instead, you will consult with the director of online graduate studies to find SOC MA courses to take in place of these waived courses. If you have questions concerning a research methods or statistics course you have taken, you can e-mail [email protected].

If this program does not require a thesis, what does it require?

Rather than requiring students to complete a thesis, students participate in a culminating experience. This applied culminating experience consists of a 3-part Capstone Project. Each part of the Capstone experience will be customized to fit individual student's professional and academic needs and interests. The culminating experience is limited only by the student's creativity and motivation, with possible experiences being as varied as the student's interests and individual circumstances. Ultimately, this culminating experience will provide students with a deeper understanding of social issues, as well as a comprehensive professional portfolio for work relating to society, social problems, and social institutions. The culminating experience consists of the following parts:

Capstone Project Part I: Professional Development. Capstone Project I allows students to explore and begin to specify their professional goals and means of obtaining those goals. This process of professional exploration and goal specification will help ensure that, together, the student and student's advisor can craft personalized Capstone Projects and experiences that maximize the student's potential of obtaining their goals.

Capstone Project Part II: Exploration/Specialization. Capstone Project II is a written paper that allows students to delve into their area(s) of interest, developing a greater depth and understanding of a selected topic, furthering the student's academic and professional goals.

Capstone Project Part III: Application. Capstone Project III is the point at which students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned through their coursework and the Capstone II written report and research. Once again, the emphasis is on a personalized and useful experience for the students. In consultation with an advisor, the student will fashion a field experience plan that allows the student to gain real-world experience. Activities that fulfill the field experience requirement are vast and varied, often limited only by a student's creativity. Capstone Project III also includes an investigative paper option that builds upon the research interests that were explored in Capstone Project II.

Will I graduate from this program with any special licenses or certifications?

You will graduate from this program with a Master of Arts; however, this program does not provide any additional licensing or certifications.

Will my diploma or transcripts specify that this is an online program or that courses were taken online?

There is no reference to "online" on a student's transcript or diploma from ASU.

For More Information

If I still have questions, who should I contact?

If you have any questions about the online application procedures or about the program, please contact [email protected]