Degree Requirements
Master of Arts
Students typically earn the Master of Arts in the course of work leading to a doctoral degree, rather than as an end in itself. The master’s degree requires thirty semester hours of graduate work, including six hours in the thesis course. The coursework must include two courses in social statistics, one in research methods, and two in theory; two graduate courses outside the department; and two electives. The degree program usually takes two years. Students often enter the graduate program with a master’s degree from another institution. Such students must take the required courses at the University or transfer credit for them as described in Degree Requirements .
Doctor of Philosophy
The doctoral program requires at least fifty-four semester hours of graduate coursework in addition to the dissertation courses; fifty-seven hours in addition to the dissertation are required for the specialization in demography. The coursework requirements include the twenty-four semester hours of work required for the master’s degree, one additional course in methods, an additional graduate course outside the department, and a variety of substantive courses in sociology. Additional information is available from the department.
To be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree, the student must have completed all master’s degree requirements and the doctoral course requirements, must pass a comprehensive examination in the area of specialization, and must defend a dissertation proposal. The degree is awarded after completion and defense of the dissertation. Most students need three or four years beyond the master’s degree to complete the doctorate.