Graduate Student Resources

The Department of Sociology offers professional guidance, academic support and funding resources to make the student experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Comprehensive Exam Guidelines

Thesis Guidelines

Advising

All incoming graduate students are assigned a faculty advisor at the beginning of their first semester. Students should meet with their advisor early in the first semester to discuss their program of study.

Students completing a thesis (required for MA in Sociology; optional for MA in Criminology) select a thesis director during their third semester. Criminology students who opt for the comprehensive exam instead of thesis retain their original faculty advisor.

The Columbian College Office of Graduate Studies offers additional advising resources and guidance, including a designated coordinator for the Sociology Department, Rebecca Burns. For more support, consult the Master’s Student Handbook on the CCAS Graduate Studies page.

Departmental Awards

Excellence in Graduate Research and Writing

The Sociology Department awards one graduate student each year in recognition of excellent research and writing on their master’s thesis.

2022: Charles Parkhurst and Rhiannon Roberts
2019: Jacqueline Groccia
2018: Erica Henderson
2017: Robert Donoghue
2016: Angela Lee

Professional Associations

National and regional professional associations in sociology offer students opportunities for academic conference presentations, career networking, local events and discussions with fellow scholars about relevant sociological issues and research.

National Groups

American Sociological Association (recommended for all MA in Sociology students)
American Society of Criminology (recommended for all MA in Criminology students)
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Association of Black Sociologists
International Sociological Association
Law & Society Association
National Institute of Justice (U.S. Justice Department research branch)
Society for the Study of Social Problems
Sociologists for Women in Society
Southern Sociological Society
Urban Affairs Association
Related: Alpha Kappa Delta Honors Society for Graduate Students

Local Groups

Forms

Program of Studies Form (PDF): All master’s degree candidates must complete and submit this form to the Sociology Department no later than the end of the first semester of matriculation.
Thesis Title Declaration Form (PDF): All students completing a thesis must submit the completed form to their thesis director prior to registering for thesis research courses.