The Catholic University of America

Graduate Program - Suggested Sequence of Courses

The Department of Sociology curriculum is organized along three tracks or principal fields: (1) Crime and Justice Studies; (2) Global and Comparative Processes; and (3) Public Policy Analysis. Students not interested in any of these three tracks may work with the faculty in their area of interest. The master's degree requires 30 semester hours of graduate work, six of which can be fulfilled by writing an M.A. thesis. More information about the thesis option is available from the Office of Dean of Graduate Studies.

As an option to the thesis, two journal quality research papers may be submitted. Students finishing their M.A. course work must also pass a comprehensive examination. There is no language requirement for the M.A. Candidates for the M.A. must pass the following core requirements:

Core Required Courses

  • SOC 501 Research Design and Methods
  • SOC 503 Social Statistics
  • SOC 512 Theories of Comparative Societies
  • SOC 604 Intermediate Social Statistics (or equivalent course with department approval)

All majors must complete the above core requirements with a grade of "B" or better and an additional five elective courses offered by the department. To fulfill the requirements for one of the tracks, students must take at least three courses within the track and pass these courses with a minimum grade of "B" or better. Majors who complete the course requirements for one or more tracks will be awarded a certificate of completion upon graduation.

Elective Courses

I. Crime, Justice and Pre-Law Track

The Crime, Justice and Pre-Law track is ideal for students interested in careers in the field of criminal justice, crime investigation, law enforcement, pre-law, national security and transnational crime.

At least one of the courses taken in this track must have an international component.

  • SOC 504 International Crime and Its Control
  • SOC 505 Sociology of Crime
  • SOC 509 Law and Society
  • SOC 510 Policing and Social Control
  • SOC 515 Crimes in Urban Society
  • SOC 517 Crime and Its Control: a Survey of Crime and Delinquency
  • SOC 520 Analysis of Terrorism Here and Abroad
  • SOC 522 Sociology and the Military
  • SOC 524 Minority Relations
  • SOC 535 Crime Prevention: Implementation and Evaluation
  • SOC 550 Applied Policy Research
  • SOC 565 Keeping America's Borders Safe
  • SOC 571 Social Deviance
  • SOC 607 Survey of Violent Crime
  • SOC 608 Terrorism and Religion
  • SOC 592/692 Directed Readings
  • SOC 593/693 Directed Research
  • SOC 594/694 Independent Study
  • SOC 595/695 Internship
  • SOC Thesis/Dissertation Guidance
  • SOC 697 Exam Guidance
  • SOC 698 Comprehensive Exam

II. Global and Comparative Processes Track

The Global and Comparative Processes track serves students with an interest in international affairs, non-profit organizations, and public service.

  • SOC 506 Sociology of the Family
  • SOC 516 Policies of Poverty Eradication 
  • SOC 520 Analysis of Terrorism Here and Abroad
  • SOC 521 Religion and Development
  • SOC 522 Military Sociology
  • SOC 524 Minority Relations
  • SOC 534 Economic Sociology
  • SOC 538 Metropolitan Regions
  • SOC 540 Catholic Social Justice Doctrines
  • SOC 541 Religion and Society
  • SOC 549 Globalization and Social Fragmentation
  • SOC 550 Applied Policy Research
  • SOC 551 Social Inequalities
  • SOC 560 Political Sociology
  • SOC 561 Migration and Development
  • SOC 563 Modern Social Movements
  • SOC 573 Gender, Globalization and Inequality
  • SOC 601 Social Organizations and Institutions
  • SOC 606 Theory and Research on Men in Society
  • SOC 608 Terrorism and Religion
  • SOC 623 Social Change and Comparative Development
  • SOC 629 Death, Society and the Human Experience
  • SOC 630 European Cities
  • SOC 592/692 Directed Readings
  • SOC 593/693 Directed Research
  • SOC 594/694 Independent Study
  • SOC 595/695 Internship
  • SOC Thesis/Dissertation Guidance
  • SOC 697 Exam Guidance
  • SOC 698 Comprehensive Exam

  • III. Public Policy Analysis Track

The Public Policy Analysis track is ideal for students interested in policy research and evaluation, social trend analysis and public administration and service.

(All courses in this field will include some policy analysis and implications.)

  • SOC 506 Sociology of the Family
  • SOC 507 Advanced Sociology of Education
  • SOC 516 Policies of Poverty Eradication 
  • SOC 524 Minority Relations
  • SOC 534 Economic Sociology
  • SOC 536 Global Public Policies
  • SOC 538 Metropolitan Regions
  • SOC 540 Catholic Social Justice Doctrines
  • SOC 541 Religion and Society
  • SOC 545 Sports and Society
  • SOC 550 Applied Policy Research
  • SOC 551 Social Inequalities
  • SOC 561 Migration and Development
  • SOC 565 Keeping America's Borders Safe
  • SOC 573 Gender, Globalization and Inequality
  • SOC 583 Global Policies of Disability
  • SOC 601 Social Organization and Institutions
  • SOC 606 Theory and Research on Men in Society
  • SOC 629 Death, Society and the Human Experience
  • SOC 631 Social Policy Analysis and Evaluation
  • SOC 592/692 Directed Readings
  • SOC 593/693 Directed Research
  • SOC 594/694 Independent Study
  • SOC 595/695 Internship
  • SOC Thesis/Dissertation Guidance
  • SOC 697 Exam Guidance
  • SOC 698 Comprehensive Exam