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 January 1 of each year. Admissions are for the Fall semester only. There are no Spring Admissions. For admission to graduate study in Sociology, you must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or above.
The following documents are required in order to apply:
- Online application
- Application Fee for Graduate Admissions (please note there are no remaining fee waivers for 2026 applications)
- Personal statement
- Strong recommendations from three former instructors
- Transcripts of previous academic work
- Writing samples and CVs are optional
- GRE scores are not required for admissions
Request Information about Graduate Programs
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 Mandatory Theoretical/Empirical Paper: The majority
of sociological articles use empirical data to answer theoretical questions. Such
questions often arise from previous research. They can also be the result of juxtaposing
two or more theories, or finding that a theory could use further development or clarification
on a point, and then showing how the proposed development or clarification better
explains some specific aspect or aspects of social reality. 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. The important point is
to combine theory and empirical research.
This paper will constitute an original piece of social science research evaluated formally by two faculty members.
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
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.
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.
If your native or primary language is not English, English proficiency must be established
based on the results of the TOEFL exam. A score of 90 is required for admission to
the doctoral program and to be eligible for consideration for TA support. The TOEFL
is not required for international students who have a degree from an English-speaking
school.