Sociology

223J Condon

The Department of Sociology has a strong commitment to research, publication, and training and is dedicated to providing a rich undergraduate program, both for students majoring in sociology and for others who wish to learn about human society and social relations.

Undergraduate Program

Adviser
223E Condon, Box 353340
206-543-5396
asksoc@u.washington.edu

The Department of Sociology offers the following program of study

• The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology

Bachelor of Arts

Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: SOC 110, SOC 212, SOC 240, SOC 270, SOC 271, or any 200-level sociology courses. General coursework developing critical thinking or analytical skills.

Department Admission Requirements

1. Any two of the following completed, with grades posted: SOC 110 (or SOC 111), SOC 212, SOC 240, SOC 270, SOC 271.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for all courses applied to major requirements at time of application. Special circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
3. Minimum grade of 2.0 in each course applied to major requirements.
4. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all prior college work.
5. A one- to two-page personal statement.
6. Application deadlines are the second Friday of each quarter. See department Web site for information required as part of application packet. All applicants who meet the qualifications stated above are admitted in time to register as sociology majors for the following quarter.

Major Requirements

50 credits as follows:

1. Introductory courses (10 credits): Two courses from SOC 110 (or SOC 111), SOC 212, SOC 240, SOC 270, and SOC 271.
2. Sociological theory (5 credits): SOC 316 (5).
3. Statistics (5 credits): STAT 220 or STAT 311; SOC 321/STAT 321/CSSS 321; or SOC 220
4. Upper division sociology electives (20 credits): Chosen from any 300-level or 400-level sociology courses, excluding SOC 316, SOC 395, and independent study courses (SOC 399, SOC 499).
5. Sociology electives (10 credits): Chosen from any other sociology courses. A maximum of five credits of independent study (SOC 399, SOC 499) can be counted.
6. Minimum grade of 2.0 in any course applied to major requirements. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for courses applied to major requirements. 25 of 50 required sociology credits completed in residence at UW.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The Department of Sociology's undergraduate degree is designed to teach majors to think systematically about the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. Sociology majors engage current research in political sociology, social stratification, race and ethnicity, deviance and social control, demography and other areas, and develop quantitative and analytical skills in research methods and social theory courses.
• Instructional and Research Facilities: The Center for Social Science Computing and Research (CSSCR) maintains an extensive data archive, and offers consulting support and computer lab access to students in Sociology courses. The Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology (CSDE) and the Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences (CSSS) provide interdisciplinary courses, seminars, and research opportunities for sociology students.
• Honors Options Available: With College Honors; With Distinction (Departmental Honors). See adviser for requirements.
• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Sociology majors participate in a variety of internships each quarter. Students can receive academic credit under the supervision of a Sociology faculty member. See adviser for details.
• Department Scholarships: None offered.
• Student Organizations/Associations: A chapter of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society organizes events involving undergraduates with faculty and graduate students.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
223J Condon, Box 353340
206-221-3280
socadvis@u.washington.edu

Sociology seeks to explain social structure, social institutions, and social interaction. There are three emphases in the graduate training program at the University of Washington: understanding and critically evaluating social theory and empirical research; doing theoretically guided research that explores, assesses, and further develops explanatory theories; and developing communication skills (with emphasis on teaching and scholarly writing) that are useful in transmitting sociological knowledge. The department has graduate program specialization in demography and ecology, deviance and social control, race and ethnic relations, family systems, gender studies, institutional analysis, quantitative research methodology, sociological theory, and stratification.

Emphasis is on empirical research aimed at developing explanatory theories. Students are trained in problem formulation, research design, data gathering and analysis, and bringing data to bear on significant questions. Instruction is offered on various methods: statistical, survey, demographic and ecological, field research, and historical. Students learn social research by participating in faculty projects or developing their own studies. The program also offers instruction on effective teaching techniques.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants are evaluated on undergraduate performance, Graduate Record Examination scores, statement of educational plans, recommendations, and samples of written work.
2. Application Deadline: December 15. Admission offers are made for autumn quarter only. The UW Graduate Admissions Office strongly recommends that international applicants submit required application materials by November 1
3. Application Materials: All information about the University of Washington Department of Sociology graduate program and the application materials are online. The Department of Sociology no longer sends out printed information or application materials. All applicants use the Web-based application. Applying to the sociology graduate program involves application to both the University of Washington Graduate School and the Department of Sociology. See departmental Web site (http://www.soc.washington.edu) for more information.

Degree Requirements

The master's program, designed primarily as preparation for Ph.D. work, is not a terminal degree, although it may serve as good training for non-academic research. The M.A. program consists of three elements:

• Substantive training: coursework in substantive areas and social theory
• Methodological training: work in social statistics, general social science methodologies, and a data analysis practicum
• The master's thesis: independent empirical research conducted under the supervision of the M.A. committee.

Students working toward an M.A. degree must complete 45 graduate credits or more with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30:

1. Sociological Theory -- SOC 510 (3)
2. Statistics -- SOC 504, SOC 505, SOC 506 (3, 3, 3)
3. Logic of Social Inquiry -- SOC 508 (3)
4. Proseminar -- SOC 501 (1, 1, 1)
5. M.A. Thesis -- SOC 700 (9)
6. Electives -- 18 credits.

A minimum of 12 graded elective credits must be in courses offered by the sociology department. All courses should be at the 500 level or above, although a student may petition for inclusion of a 400-level course. No more than 3 elective credits may be assigned a letter grade (e.g., S or CR) in place of a numerical grade. Minimum GPA of 3.30.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Completion of an M.A. degree in sociology in the UW Sociology Department or elsewhere. Occasionally M.A. degrees in other fields are accepted. The department encourages applications from minority students.

See above under Master of Arts section for admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Minimum 90 credits, to include:

45 credits beyond the Master of Arts requirements (above) as follows:

1. 3 graded credits in theory
2. 6 graded credits in approved methods courses
3. 9 elective credits
4. 27 dissertation credits

Additionally, students must maintain a GPA of 3.30, pass a minor area examination, pass a major area examination, pass the general examination (prospectus defense), pass the final examination, and submit an approved dissertation to the Graduate School.

Financial Aid

Fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships are available to qualified graduate students including those in their first year of training.