/College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Sociology

Understanding society through research, equity, and real-world impact

The Master's Program in Sociology

The Department of Sociology offers a terminal master's degree that must be completed in three years. 

Admission

Applications must be submitted online through the Graduate School Website by December 1 of each year. Admissions are for the Fall semester only. There are no Spring Admissions. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or above.

The following are required to apply:

 

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Requirements for the Master's Degree

Course requirements for an M.A. in sociology include six designated courses: two in sociological theory, three in statistics and methods, and one in global sociology. Additionally, students take four elective courses for a total of thirty credits to complete the degree. Students must achieve a minimum 3.0 grade point average for 30 credits of graduate level courses.

Students are required to write a Theoretical/Empirical Paper under faculty supervision. The empirical data explained or clarified by the theory or theories can take a number of forms. It can be the product of ethnographies, comparative and/or historical research, social surveys, small group or experimental laboratory research, content analyses, etc. 

This paper will constitute an original piece of social science research evaluated formally by two faculty members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official transcripts are required and must be sent to :
Stony Brook University
Office of Graduate and Health Sciences Admissions
Computer Science Building, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
Official E-Transcripts:  Should be send to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu

All questions regarding admission materials should be directed to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu

Applicants with domestic credentials must submit an official transcript from each undergraduate college or university attended, regardless of whether a degree was conferred.  Applicants must also submit an official transcript from each college or university relating to graduate level work, regardless of whether a degree was conferred.

Unofficial copies for both domestic and international credentials are acceptable for an admission decision to be made. If admitted, the applicant must submit final official transcripts/evaluations sent directly from the college/university or evaluation agency.

Applicants with international credentials must submit an official English translation of all coursework showing a complete course-by-course record, GPA, degree, and institution, in addition to the original documents. SBU graduate admissions personnel will evaluate coursework, GPA, degree requirements and institutional equivalence. In some instances where the coursework, degree equivalency, GPA, and/or institution cannot be verified, a course-by-course evaluation from one of Stony Brook University's approved NACES members listed below, may be requested from the applicant. Unofficial copies for both domestic and international credentials are acceptable for an admission decision to be made. If admitted, the applicant must submit final official transcripts/evaluations sent directly from the college/university or evaluation agency.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the Graduate School's minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission can be found HERE. In addition to meeting the Graduate School requirements, preferred applicants to the Sociology graduate programs should meet the following criteria:

  • TOEFL iBT prior to 1/21/26: Speak 23+ and Overall 90+ for PhD applicants and Overall 80+ for MA applicants
  • TOEFL iBT after 1/21/26: Speak 4.5+ and Overall 5+ for PhD applicants and Overall 4.5+ for MA applicants
  • IELTS: Speak 7+ and Overall 6.5+ with no subsection below 6 for all applicants
  • Gateway: 500+ for all applicants