Sociology

Professors: Coakley, Dukes and Hughes (Chair); Professor Emerita: B. Lorch; Associate Professors: Dickson Ferber and Warner Assistant Professor: Camp; Instructor: Walker.

Bachelor of Arts — Sociology

Majors in Sociology must complete a minimum of 36 hours in Sociology, at least 18 hours of which must be upper-division courses (300 or 400 level). Courses at the 500 level may be taken by qualified undergraduates with the consent of the instructor.

Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology

1. A minimum of 36 hours of course work in Sociology, which must include:

a. Each of these Core Courses:

SOC 111-4 Introduction to Sociology

SOC 212-4 Introduction to Social Research

SOC 315-3 Modern Sociological Theory

SOC 317-3 Social Statistics

And

b. Three courses selected from the following:

SOC 322-3 Community and Urban Sociology

SOC 329-3 Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity

SOC 341-3 Sociology of Law

SOC 360-3 Introduction to Social Psychology

SOC 361-3 Gender and Society

SOC 364-3 Sociology of Popular Culture

2. Completing the Sociology Field Test from Educational Testing Services during the final semester of course work. Dates and times for the test will be announced.

Certificates of Specialization

Students may be awarded a certificate of specialization within an area of the curriculum by completing four upper division courses selected from within the same area or four upper division courses that reflect a common theme that can be developed across areas, or even across disciplines (i.e., adding a G.I.S. course from geography to three sociology courses in community and urban sociology.)

Minor in Sociology

Students seeking a minor must complete a minimum of 22 hours in sociology, at least 12 hours of which must be upper-division courses (300 or 400 level). Specific courses which must be completed for the minor include the following: SOC 111 (Introduction to Sociology), SOC 212 (Introduction to Social Research), and either SOC 315 (Modern Social Theory) or SOC 317 (Social Statistics). The remaining 12 hours are to be chosen by the student in accordance with his/her academic interests and goals.

If there are questions about the connection between academic interests and course selection, students should consult faculty in the department.

Master of Arts — Sociology

The Department of Sociology offers a Master of Arts degree in Sociology. All coursework for the M.A. degree can be taken on the Colorado Springs campus, although students may take appropriate and approved courses at the Denver or Boulder campuses. Admission to the M.A. program in Colorado Springs does not constitute admission to the graduate programs at Denver or Boulder. There are two options under which a student may complete the requirements for the degree:

Plan I - Requirements

A total of 24 hours of approved course work, including the required courses, plus an acceptable thesis for 6 hours of credit.

Plan II - Requirements

A total of 30 hours of approved course work, including the required courses. Students receiving the degree under Plan II are encouraged to complete at least 12 hours in an area of concentration which might lead to a certificate of specialization. Examples of such programs include the Graduate School of Public Affairs Certificate in the Administration of Non-profit Agencies, the College of Education’s Certificate in Special Education, or the Department of Sociology’s Certificate in Applied Sociology.

Core Courses Requiredfor M.A. Degree

Core Courses -12 Semester Hours

SOC 505-1 Proseminar in Sociology

SOC 507-4 Seminar on Research Methods

SOC 515-3 Seminar on Social Theory I

Add ONE of these:

SOC 516-3 Seminar: on Social Theory II

SOC 517-4 Seminar on Advanced Statistics and Research Methods

SOC 518-3 Seminar: Community Organization and Analysis

Passing Preliminary and Qualifying Exams and either a Thesis Defense or a Comprehensive Examination, as defined below.

The Qualifying Examination: Students’ progress will be reviewed after completion of the first six hours of graduate level courses to insure adequate qualifications to proceed in the program. Students found to be not well prepared in statistics will be required to take SOC 502 and those not well prepared in social theory will be required to take SOC 503. Students will be notified of the results of this review process and appropriate recommendations for further progress will be included.

The Preliminary Examination: During the final semester of course work, the student’s graduate advisor will evaluate the over all academic record and if it is found to be satisfactory, the student will become a candidate for the M.A. degree. If problems are identified in the student’s progress, appropriate steps needed to become a candidate for the degree will be specified.

Plan I: Thesis Defense: The defense is scheduled when the thesis is completed. The goal of the defense is to provide for a thorough discussion of the thesis project, and exploration of issues and possible implications for continued research in the thesis topic. OR

Plan II: Comprehensive Examination: The comprehensive examination will be a discussion of the materials provided by the student in the form of a "Self-Study" and a Resume. The goal is to provide the student an opportunity to summarize the learning achieved throughout the course of the program and to relate these to possible further academic work or career plans.

Completing the Sociology Field Test provided by the Educational Testing Serivce during the final semester of course work or while completing the thesis.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission is made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Sociology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, P.O. Box 7150, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150

Admission as a Regular Degree Student: To be admitted as a regular degree student, an applicant must:

hold a baccalaureeate degree from an accredited college or university or have completed work equivalent for such a degree and equivalent to the degree given at this university;

have an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 2.75;

have adequate preparation to begin graduate study in sociology;

show promise for advanced study and research, as judged by the applicant’s previous scholastic record;

three letters of recommendation from instructors or employers;

have completed the Graduate Record Exam; and

be recommended for admission to a regular degree status by the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Sociology.

Admission as a Provisional Degree Student: An applicant who does not meet the minimum requirements for admission as a regular degree student may be admitted to a provisional degree status. To convert to regular degree status from provisional degree status, the student may be required to complete courses to make up deficiences and/or demonstrate the ability to successfully perform graduate work.

Guaranteed Admission Policy

Students who complete a major in Sociology at CU-Colorado Springs and achieve a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.25 in sociology will be guaranteed admission to the Department’s M.A. program. For students meeting these requirements the Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.) will be waived. Students who do not meet these requirements will be guaranteed provisional admission to the M.A. program if:

a) they have at least a 2.75 G.P.A. and

b) an acceptable score on the G.R.E.

Five-Year Program

The traditional M.A. program in Sociology is designed to allow completion in one year (fall, spring and summer semesters) of full-time study by those who have a strong background in Sociology. The possibility of completing the M.A. degree with only a 5th year of study is enhanced for students who complete appropriate graduate level courses while an undergraduate, if these courses are not counted toward the total number of hours required for completing the B.A. degree. Students may apply for up to eight hours of such course work to be counted toward fulfilling the M.A. requirements, in much the same manner as graduate credits earned in graduate programs in other departments may be transferred toward the M.A. degree in Sociology.

Financial Assistance

The Department may award up to four graduate assistantships of $400 each semester, and one assistantship of up to $800 each semester. These assistantships are awarded based on the assessment of both need and merit, and are compensation for assistance which may be provided in the departmental programs of instruction.

Additional Requirements

The student is referred to the Graduate School section of this Course Bulletin for a complete listing of all rules and regulations that apply to M.A. programs on this campus of the University of Colorado.

Information and applications for admissions may be obtained from:

Graduate Coordinator (Attn: Shari Patterson)Department of SociologyP.O. Box 7150Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150