Earn a master's degree in Sociology from St. John's University in New York City!
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behavior, forces for social change and resistance, and how social systems work. The field also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life, including: street crime and policing practices; disparities in income and family resources; poverty and unemployment; problems of peace and war; the forces that lead to globalization and its consequences for groups and communities around the world. Because sociologists address the most challenging issues of our time, it is an exciting discipline with expanding opportunities for a wide range of career paths.
- Degree Type
- MA
- Area of Interest
- Social Sciences
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Queens Campus
- Required Credit Hours
- 33
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Sociology at St. John’s University fosters the development of critical thinking, analytical, and research skills alongside an understanding of sociological theory and urban and global perspectives. Our course offerings reflect the breadth of areas of specialization within the discipline. Our program emphasizes the study of racial, class, and gender inequality; community and urban development; and globalization and social movements, allowing you to choose a general course of study that fits your interests and career goals. Moreover, our program offers you the possibility of developing a master's thesis project.
As a master's student in Sociology at St. John's, you may be eligible for pathways to doctoral study at the University of South Florida, Utah State University, and Wayne State University.
Department Contact
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Admission
Eligible students possess a baccalaureate degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 and 18 undergraduate credits in sociology or a related social science. All applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or the international equivalent prior to enrollment at the graduate level. In addition to the application form and non-refundable application fee, candidates should submit the following:
- Statement of professional goals and resume
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools attended.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation obtained from professional and/or academic references.
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.
- Students with international credits must also submit a course-by-course foreign credit evaluation with GPA calculation from a NACES member.
Competitive assistantships are available for qualified full-time students. Please visit Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships for more information.
For additional information, please contact:
Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]
Featured Faculty
-
Professor,
Graduate Director for Criminology & Justice,
- Assistant Chair
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Courses
Based on the expertise of our faculty and the professional needs of our students, our program offers the following options to complete the M.A. The non-thesis options may be completed as a one-year hybrid applied program.
18-credit core
Six credits of elective courses
Six credits of SOC 900 Master’s Research
18-credit core
15 credits of elective courses
Comprehensive Examination
15-credit core
12 credits of elective courses within the concentration
Six credits of general elective courses
Comprehensive Examination
Elective Courses that apply to The Global City and Social Justice concentration are:
- SOC 217 Gender in a Global Context
- SOC 222 Sociology of the Global City
- SOC 223 Urban Sociology
- SOC 224 Women and The City
- SOC 228 Sociology of Community
- SOC 234 Global Poverty
- SOC 235 Global Inequality
- SOC 244 Social Movements and Global
15-credit core
12 credits of elective courses within the concentration
Six credits of general elective courses
Comprehensive Examination
Elective Courses that apply to the Confronting Inequalities concentration are:
- CRM 133 Class, Race, and Criminal Justice
- CRM 234 Women and Crime
- SOC 115 Sociology of Gender
- SOC 120 Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 217 Gender in a Global Context
- SOC 218 Immigration and Inequality
- SOC 220 Social Construction of Race in the US
- SOC 234 Global Poverty
- SOC 235 Global Inequality
- SOC 236 Sociology of Poverty
- SOC 243 Social Movements and Social Change
- SOC 244 Social Movements and Globalization
- SOC 246 Political Sociology
- SOC 260 Inequality and Oppression
Required Courses – 18 credits
SOC 103 Proseminar
SOC 127 Statistics
SOC 127L Statistics Lab (no credits)
SOC 210 Classical Social Theory
SOC 212 Contemporary Social Theory
SOC 300 Research Methods
SOC 301 Evaluation Research
- CRM 122 Drugs and Society
- SOC 107 Social Deviance
- SOC 115 Sociology of Gender
- SOC 117 Family Violence
- SOC 120 Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 121 Sociology of the Family
- SOC 131 Sociology of Youth
- SOC 170 Social Psychology
- SOC 200 Sociology of Latino/as in the US
- SOC 201 Economic Sociology
- SOC 207 Sociology of Work
- SOC 208 Cultural Studies
- SOC 209 Human Trafficking – Contemporary Slavery
- SOC 217 Gender in a Global Context
- SOC 218 Immigration and Inequality
- SOC 220 Social Construction of Race in the US
- SOC 221 Sociology of News Media
- SOC 223 Urban Sociology
- SOC 228 Sociology of Community
- SOC 234 Global Poverty
- SOC 236 Sociology of Poverty
- SOC 242 Political Sociology
- SOC 243 Social Movements and Social Change
- SOC 244 Social Movements and Globalization
- SOC 245 GIS Applications for Global Development and Social Justice
Other courses may be counted for each one of the concentrations with prior approval of the department chair. Students interested in the thesis option must obtain the chair’s approval.
Career Outcomes
As a graduate of the St. John’s University M.A. in Sociology degree program, you apply methodological, statistical, and theoretical sociological knowledge to careers in various fields in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Our alumni have been employed in banking, civil services, criminal justice, education, finance, psychology, social work, and technology.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for sociologists is projected to grow seven percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than average for all occupations. Graduates currently working in a related field have often advanced in their positions and been promoted. Many work with underprivileged populations, as well as collaborate in the design of public policies and social programs dismantling social inequalities. Our alumni also pursue doctoral studies in history, law, psychology, sociology, and related disciplines.
A 2024 St. John’s alumni survey revealed that respondents reported high job satisfaction because of their ability to apply learned skills in their positions. “My favorite aspect of the M.A. was the overwhelming knowledge and experience of professors and leaders in the department,” said Nicholas Lachance ’23G. “The program not only helped me understand social sciences on a more in-depth level, but also helped me get opportunities in the field I wouldn’t have been able to without the degree. Social sciences are important in helping us all understand the world.”
Additional Information
For additional information about our program and the field of sociology, please contact the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, St. John Hall, Room 444D, 718-990-6296 or 718-990-5667. You may also visit the websites of the American Sociological Association and the International Sociological Association.
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