COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Sociology at the University of New Hampshire requires the completion of a minimum of 32 graduate credits and is designed to provide students with advanced training in sociological research, theory, and analytical methods. Students must complete at least 26 credit hours, equivalent to seven graduate-level sociology courses, along with 6 to 10 credits dedicated to an original master’s thesis project. The curriculum begins with SOC 900 Pro-seminar, a foundational course that introduces graduate-level academic expectations, professional development, and key issues within the discipline of sociology. Students then complete SOC 901 Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics, which develops quantitative analysis and statistical interpretation skills essential for sociological research, followed by SOC 902 Sociological Methods II: Research Design, where students learn how to construct research projects, develop methodologies, collect data, and evaluate social science evidence. The program also includes SOC 911 Sociological Theory I, an advanced exploration of major sociological theories and the intellectual traditions that shape the discipline, helping students critically examine social structures, institutions, and human behavior from multiple perspectives. In addition to these core requirements, students select three graduate seminars that allow them to specialize in areas aligned with their academic and professional interests, such as inequality, gender, race, family studies, demography, social change, mental health, or environmental sociology. A major component of the degree is SOC 899 Master’s Thesis, requiring 6 to 10 credits, through which students conduct independent original research under faculty supervision. The thesis demonstrates a student’s ability to apply sociological theory, research methods, and analytical skills to a significant social issue or research question. Overall, the program combines rigorous coursework, advanced methodological training, theoretical understanding, and hands-on research experience to prepare graduates for careers in research, education, public policy, social services, and related professional fields, while also providing strong preparation for doctoral study in sociology and other social sciences.