University of Colorado Denver
Department of Sociology
Master of Arts in Sociology
Graduate Program Handbook
For MA Open House Spring 2013
The information in this handbook provides specific information on the M.A. Sociology program and supplements the
University of Colorado-Denver’s Graduate Student Rules and Graduate Student Handbook (both available at
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/).
Revised January 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 3
2. CONTACT INFORMATION ...................................................................................... 4
3. OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT .................................................................... 5
a. Mission Statement ....................................................................................................... 5
b. Faculty......................................................................................................................... 5
c. Our Strengths .............................................................................................................. 5
4. GRADUATE FACULTY RESEARCH SPECIALTIES........................................... 7
5. STUDENT RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 8
a. Graduate Program Director/Graduate Adviser............................................................ 8
b. Research Area Mentors ............................................................................................... 8
c. Financial Aid ............................................................................................................... 8
d. Graduate Student Liaison ............................................................................................ 8
e. Sociology Student Club............................................................................................... 9
f. Sociological Professional Organizations ..................................................................... 9
g. International Students ................................................................................................. 9
6. OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM .......................................................................... 10
a. General Requirements ............................................................................................... 10
b. General Expectations ................................................................................................ 12
7. PLANS OF STUDY .................................................................................................... 13
a. Summary of Study..................................................................................................... 13
b. Core Course Requirements ....................................................................................... 13
c. Elective Credit Requirements ................................................................................... 14
8. Master’s Thesis and Project ....................................................................................... 15
a. Thesis/Project Committee ......................................................................................... 15
b. Thesis/Project Proposal ............................................................................................. 16
c. Master’s Thesis Option ............................................................................................. 17
d. Master’s Project Option ............................................................................................ 19
f. Human Subjects ......................................................................................................... 20
9. GRADUATION ........................................................................................................... 20
10. CHECK LIST FOR M.A. DEGREE ....................................................................... 21
12. SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ................................... 25
2
1. INTRODUCTION1
Welcome to the Master’s program in Sociology at the University of Colorado Denver! We are
thrilled to include you in our new and improved graduate program which offers rigorous
sociological training for becoming a professional sociologist.
The Department of Sociology's Master's program has been producing M.A. graduates for more
than twenty-five years. Our graduates have gone on to university and college professorships,
community college teaching, other roles in education, official governmental agencies, nonprofit
organizations, business, and many other places beyond Denver, Colorado.
The goal of this handbook is to make the process of your navigating our M.A. program clearer
and less stressful. Please take time to read the information presented in the handbook. If you have
any questions regarding the materials presented here, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For the last few years, the Department of Sociology as well as the university, has undergone
many significant changes. The Department will continue to update the program to keep pace with
the University’s objectives and policies. Therefore, even though the information and requirements
presented in below serve you as an official reference point, it is ultimately a responsibility of the
student to verify the information presented in this handbook. As the department and program
grow, we will also be seeking suggestions and other feedback from students to make the best
possible M.A. program we can offer now and into the future.
Once again, welcome to the department and feel free to ask questions and become an active part
of your own graduate study and our graduate program. This is an exciting time to be a part of our
program. We sincerely hope that you have a valuable scholarly experience and enjoy exploring
the discipline of sociology.
The Faculty of the Department of Sociology
University of Colorado Denver
1
Acknowledgements: The content and information in the Handbook is subject to change. Students should check with
the Graduate Program Director regularly on changes in departmental or university policies. We consulted with the
information presented with many other graduate programs such as the UCD Master’s of Social Sciences, Master’s of
Humanities, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Sociology at California State University,
Northridge.
3
2. CONTACT INFORMATION
Department location:
Mailing address:
Campus Box 105, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364
Street address:
Lawrence Street Center, 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 420, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (303) 315-2148 Fax: (303) 315-2149
E-mail: rachel.gallegos@ucdenver.edu
Website: http://clas.ucdenver.edu/sociology/
Department Chair: John Freed
303-315-2143
john.freed@ucdenver.edu
Office 420E
Graduate Program Director: Akihiko Hirose
303-315-2147
akihiko.hirose@ucdenver.edu
Office 420Q
Program Assistant: Rachel Gallegos
303-315-2148
rachel.gallegos@ucdenver.edu
Office 420
4
3. OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT
a. Mission Statement
The mission of the Sociology Department at the University of Colorado Denver is 1) to offer a
multi-faceted learning experience to students that provides an understanding of how individuals
and institutions interact to shape our social world; 2) to conduct empirical and theoretical research
in order to advance and expand knowledge in the field of sociology; 3) to participate actively in
programs of interdisciplinary research and education; 4) to bring sociological theory and research
to bear on social problems in the communities where our faculty, staff, and students live and work.
b. Faculty
Currently, the Department of Sociology faculty consists of the regular full-time faculty listed
below along with several part-time lecturers. They are diverse in their theoretical orientations,
methodological approaches, and substantive interests. Their strong teaching backgrounds allow
the department to provide a rigorous graduate training in fundamental areas such as research
methods, theory, and quantitative analyses. Furthermore, their knowledge of substantive areas
and commitment to excellence in research enable them to engage in more advanced graduate
individual instruction.
Our regular faculty:
Stacey Bosick*, Assistant Professor
Candan Duran-Aydintug*, Associate Professor
Lucy Dwight*, Senior Instructor
Karl Flaming*, Professor
Paula Fomby*, Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Adviser
Andrea Haar, Instructor
Akihiko Hirose*, Assistant Professor and Graduate Adviser
Patrick Krueger*, Assistant Professor
Pete Padilla, Senior Instructor
Carlos Reali, Instructor
* Denotes members of the Graduate Faculty
c. Our Strengths
Small is Good
The small size of the Department of Sociology is tremendously beneficial for graduate students as
they can receive personalized and attentive advising throughout their graduate career. The faculty
members understand that everyone has different interests and different goals in mind when
joining our program. Therefore, admittance to the program is highly selective in order that each
student’s scholarly curiosity be satisfied and individual goal achieved.
New and Improved
The Department of Sociology is particularly proud of its new and improved rigorous training
program. Students can receive a graduate education that is up to national standards in an intimate
and less intimidating environment. Particular attention is paid to keep individual students
integrated into a coherent and sequentially required program.
5
Urban Department
Being situated in the heart of Downtown Denver, UCD is the intellectual center of the city where
diverse social dynamics of race, gender, and class intersect with social problems. Subsequently,
there are many inspirations and opportunities for applied research with local non-profit
organizations and city and state government.
Rigorous Research Agenda
The Department of Sociology emphasizes two major areas of research as the main driving force
of its sociological inquiry. They are Crime and Deviance, and Family. Moreover, the Department
faculty conduct research in the following areas as well:
Aging
Gender
Immigration
Organizations
Poverty
Social Psychology
Theory
Urban Sociology
Race
Our Students
The achievement of the Department of Sociology graduates can answer the question: why pursue
an M.A. degree at UCD Sociology? Many of graduates have gone on to pursue academic careers
in major Ph.D. programs throughout the nation such as Arizona State University, North Carolina
State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Colorado-Boulder, and
University of California, Riverside. Others have also successfully landed jobs in both the private
and public sectors.
New Ideas and New Plans
The Department of Sociology is always looking for new ideas and ways to improve. Currently,
the Department of Sociology is arranging collaborative research and instruction with the
Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences in the areas of the sociology of health, medical
sociology, and public health. Likewise, in collaboration with the School of Public Affairs, the
Department of Sociology is in the process of strengthening the area of criminology.
6
4. GRADUATE FACULTY RESEARCH SPECIALTIES
Stacey Bosick, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., Harvard University)
Office: 420U
Phone: 303-315-2135
Email: stacey.bosick@ucdenver.edu
Crime, inequality, the life course, transition to adulthood
Candan Duran-Aydintug, Associate Professor (Ph.D., Washington State University)
Office: 420D
Phone: 303-315-2140
Email: candan.duran-aydintug@ucdenver.edu
Sociology of the family, quantitative and qualitative methods, theory, gender roles, social
psychology
Lucy Dwight, Senior Instructor (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University)
Office: 420G
Phone: 303-315-2145
Email: lucy.dwight@ucdenver.edu
Race and ethnic relations, urban and community sociology, statistics, research methods
Karl Flaming, Professor (Ph.D., Syracuse University)
Office: 420P
Phone: 303-315-2146
Email: karl.flaming@ucdenver.edu
Urban applied, gerontology, inter-group relations, housing and society
Paula Fomby, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Office: 420T
Phone: 303-315-2141
Email: paula.fomby@ucdenver.edu
Family demography, social inequality, poverty and public policy
Akihiko Hirose, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of California, Riverside)
Office: 420Q
Phone: 303-315-2147
Email: akihiko.hirose@ucdenver.edu
Sociological theory, race and gender, organizations
Patrick Krueger, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder)
Office: 420N
Phone: 303-315-2136
Email: patrick.krueger@ucdenver.edu
Population health, medical sociology, social demography, health behavior & life styles,
statistical methods
7
5. STUDENT RESOURCES
a. Graduate Program Director/Graduate Adviser
Students are encouraged to meet with the Graduate Program Director since s/he acts as a formal
mentor until students establish their thesis advisors. It is also a student’s responsibility to confirm
all degree requirements with the Graduate Program Director. Our current Graduate Program
Director/ Graduate Adviser is Dr. Akihiko Hirose.
Contact Info: 303-315-2147
Office 420Q
akihiko.hirose@ucdenver.edu
b. Research Area Mentors
There are three research areas that the Department identifies as our major strengths. Each area has
mentors with whom students can consult when their research interests fall within the three areas.
Family: Candan Duran-Aydintug, Karl Flaming, Paula Formby
Crime and Deviance: Stacey Bosick, Akihiko Hirose
c. Financial Aid
Currently, there is no financial aid at the department level. Tuition assistance and financial aid
information can be found at the Student Service Center in the lobby of the North Classroom
Building. For scholarship information, students should contact the UCD Scholarship/Resource
Office (CU Denver Building, Suite 110).
Teaching assistantships
The Department of Sociology occasionally has some teaching assistant positions available for
current M.A. students. The Department Chair, after consulting with faculty, will determine which
students qualify to be teaching assistants. Please ask the Graduate Program Director for more
information.
Research Assistantships
Research assistant positions may be available depending on individual faculty member’s research.
Please ask the Graduate Program Director for further information.
d. Graduate Student Liaison
The position of graduate student liaison is assigned to a current full-time graduate student by the
Department Chair. The function of the graduate student liaison is to serve as an informal
communication link between graduate students and the faculty. As the representative of the
sociology graduate student body, the liaison will communicate to the faculty student’s needs,
concerns, complaints, as well as transmit relevant departmental information to the students.
However, all students are encouraged to communicate with faculty on an individual basis and
each student is responsible for acquiring official information from the Department of Sociology.
8
e. Sociology Student Club
The Students of Sociology (SOS) Club is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. The
SOS club has several important goals:
 To provide a social environments for students to create important networks and access
resources at UCD.
 To act as an impartial liaison between students and faculty in the Sociology Department.
 To hold regular official meetings and social events.
Informal networks can be very beneficial for students by providing academic, professional, and
most importantly, emotional support. Students are strongly encouraged to socialize with their
fellow students. For more information, please email the current president Joshua Goode:
jagoode27@gmail.com
f. Sociological Professional Organizations
Students are encouraged to actively participate in sociological professional organizations. There
are many benefits in becoming a student member of professional organizations. Every year, UCD
Sociology graduate students travel to present their papers at the meetings of sociological
organizations such as American Sociological Association or Pacific Sociological Association.
Participation to those meetings is a valuable asset in developing professional career. For more
information please visit their websites:
American Sociological Association
www.asanet.org
Pacific Sociological Association
www.pacificsoc.org
g. International Students
Graduate education can be quite a stressful experience in itself, but being an international
graduate student can often add additional pressures. Academic norms are by no means universal
and a transition from one academic world to another is not easy. The Department of Sociology
has faculty experienced in advising international students. International students should also get
in touch with the Office of International Education, 303-315-2230.
9
6. OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM
a. General Requirements
Departmental Requirements
 Core required courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher in order to count
toward the degree.
 Core courses include SOCY 5000 – Professional Seminar, SOCY 5014 – Classical
Sociological Theory, SOCY 5015 – Contemporary Sociological Theory,
SOCY 5024 – Research Methods, SOCY 5183 – Quantitative Data Analysis
 Undergraduate deficiency courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher in order
to satisfy deficiency requirements. These grades do not count in the cumulative G.P.A.
of the student.
 If a student does not meet the provisions above, they must re-take the course at the next
available opportunity. If they do not earn the grade provisions above a second time, they
will be suspended from the program (see the section on academic probation and
suspension below).
 No course with a grade below B- will count toward graduation. All core courses (see
above) must be completed with a B or higher.
 All courses counted toward graduation must be at the 5000 level or above.
Graduate School and University Requirements:
 A student is required to maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.00 in all course work applied
to the degree program.
 Grades received in courses transferred from another institution and/or grades earned
while classified as a special student are not included in the cumulative G.P.A.
 Courses applied to a graduate degree may not be taken pass/fail.
 Students have up to five years (seven for those entering prior to 2008) to complete their
master’s degree beginning with the start of coursework after they have been admitted to
the program. Students can request a leave of absence if situations arise that legitimately
affect the ability to complete the program within this time span, but the leave must be
approved by the sociology program.
Graduate Academic Probation and Dismissal
If a regular graduate student’s cumulative G.P.A. in graduate course work falls below 3.00 or if
they earn a course grade less than a B-, the Graduate Dean in consultation with the Graduate
Director will place the student on academic probation. In the semester following placement on
probation, the student must achieve a 3.00 G.P.A. in all course work taken that semester, and earn
no lower than a B in all courses undertaken. Otherwise, he or she will be dismissed from the
program by the Graduate Dean in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. At the end of
the second semester following the placement on probation, the student must raise his or her
cumulative G.P.A. in graduate course work to 3.00. Otherwise, he or she will be dismissed from
the program by the Graduate Dean in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. In the
case of extenuating circumstances, the Graduate Program Director may petition the Graduate
School on behalf of the student for an extension of the probationary time period. A decision will
be made by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the Graduate Dean.
Incomplete Grades
When a student has special circumstances that make it impossible to complete course assignments,
faculty members have the discretion to award an incomplete grade. Incomplete grades are not
10
awarded for poor academic performance or as a way of extending assignment deadlines. While
not required, a CLAS course completion agreement form is strongly suggested when faculty and
student agree on an incomplete grade.
To be eligible for an incomplete grade, students must:
 have successfully completed 75 percent of the course.
 have special circumstances (verification may be required) that preclude the student from
attending class and completing graded assignments.
 make arrangements to complete missing assignments with the original instructor.
Independent Study
Graduate students may take up to a total of six independent study credits as elective credits under
the direct supervision of a graduate faculty member and with the approval of the Program
Director.. The minimum UCD GPA required to register for independent study credits is 3.00.
Each independent study project may be taken for 1-3 credits. The primary purpose of independent
study is to enable students to pursue knowledge in an area not covered by a regularly offered
course or to pursue an area of research in much greater depth than is possible through an existing
course. Independent study places the major responsibility for learning directly upon the student.
Therefore, a student should not undertake to do an independent study unless he or she can assume
considerable responsibility in planning and carrying out a project independently. Students are not
permitted to consider an independent study until they have completed the core course
requirements. Students must use the special processing form to outline the project and how the
grade will be determined, which then must be approved by the supervising faculty member and
the CLAS Dean’s office.
Transfer Credit
The Department of Sociology may accept up to nine credits in appropriate course work from an
accredited graduate program elsewhere with the department’s Graduate Committee approval.
Students must submit a syllabus or a list of readings and assignments along with an official
transcript for each transfer course for evaluation. No transfer credits will be granted for courses in
which the student receives a grade of B- or below.
11
b. General Expectations
Graduate education, simply put, means the post-baccalaureate education that a student can receive
if he/she has earned a Bachelor's degree and has shown the aptitude for more advanced training in
the field. However, graduate education is not merely an advanced form of undergraduate
education. There are some significant differences between graduate study and undergraduate
study.
First, as this Handbook specifies, the technicalities of advisement, classes, and requirements for
graduation differ from that of undergraduate. This is particularly true when it comes to graduate
program status and classification, the academic program, and the requirements for graduation.
Second, graduate students are expected to enter the Sociology graduate program with core
knowledge of the field in theory, research methods, and statistics. Students who lack sufficient
background in sociology are required to pass necessary undergraduate deficiency courses in order
to begin the required graduate sequences. Students who pursue the M.A. in sociology can expect
to deepen their understanding of theory, methods, and major sociological areas. The faculty of the
Master's level courses presume students have a good working knowledge of theory, methods, and
statistics as well as the ability to think and write critically.
Third, there is a significant difference between graduate education and undergraduate education
in the amount, quality, and professionalism of the work involved. Graduate students are expected
to have the maturity to attend class and come on time, maintain a professional level of behavior in
class, and otherwise take responsibility for their work and performance. Full time graduate
enrollment requires fewer units than undergraduate because the work is more involved, requires
more time and attention, and includes a higher degree of critical thinking and application than
undergraduate courses do. A rough estimate of the work of a graduate class is two to three times
the amount of work for the same number of undergraduate units. Therefore, faculty members
assume that graduate students are dedicated to advanced learning in their fields. One of the goals
of the program is for its graduate students to become more like apprentices to faculty mentors and
less like passive, detached students.
Furthermore, faculty will require research papers, in-depth essay exams, presentations, and other
kinds of work that show not only basic knowledge of the material but also the ways in which the
student extends, critiques, and/or applies the material to research and theoretical issues. Graduate
school can be a creative and challenging academic environment that will help nurture and further
develop students of sociology.
12
7. PLANS OF STUDY
Two plans of study are available for students pursuing M.A. in sociology at UCD.
I: Thesis Option - Requires a thesis
II: Project Option - Requires a project and internship
Both options require a minimum of 36 hours.
a. Summary of Study
Core Course Requirements (15 credit hours)
SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar
SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory
SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOCY 5024 Research Methods
SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis
3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
AND
I Thesis Option Requirements (total 36 credit hours)
Core Course Requirements
Five Elective Courses
SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis
15 hours
15 hours
6 hours
OR
II Project Option Requirements (total 36 credit hours)
Core Courses Requirements
Five Elective Courses
Internship
SOCY 5964 Master’s Project
15 hours
15 hours
3 hours
3 hours
b. Core Course Requirements
Core courses are required for all graduate students regardless of their choice of the Thesis or
Project option. Students must complete the Core Course Requirements and at least 12 hours of
Elective Credit Requirements before enrolling for Master’s Thesis or Master’s Project credits.
SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar: Introduction to Sociological Inquiry
The SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar must be taken during Fall semester of the first year by
every incoming graduate student regardless of whether he/she has undergraduate deficiency
requirements. No exception is allowed.
Theory and Methods Sequences
Students who are officially admitted to the program are required to follow a sequential plan.
There are two sequential requirements:
13
Theory Sequence Requirement
SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory (offered every Fall semester) must be taken before
students take SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory/Theory Construction (offered in
every Spring semester)
Similarly, if students are required to fill undergraduate theory deficiency requirements, they must
follow the undergraduate theory sequence by taking SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory
before they take SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory. This sequence must be finished
before enrolling in SOCY 5014.
Method Sequence Requirement
SOCY 5024 Research Methods (offered in Fall semester) must be taken before SOCY 5183
Quantitative Data Analysis (offered in Spring semester).
c. Elective Credit Requirements
Students can take an unlimited number of sociology graduate seminars (i.e., 5000 level stacked or
not) to fulfill their 15 elective credits or a combination of the following:
 Independent study: a maximum 6 credit hours
 Internship: a maximum 3 credit hours
 Courses in other departments: a maximum 6 credit hours
o Students must consult with the Graduate Program Director regarding which
courses count toward graduation.
14
8. MASTER’S THESIS AND PROJECT
Each Master’s student must complete some form of original research in the final stage of his/her
degree. While this usually takes the form of a Master’s thesis, the department also offers students
the option of completing a Master’s project. Students should note that both the thesis and the
project require discipline and a good deal of work in researching, writing and re-writing of
material. Specifically, students should anticipate completing at least three drafts of their final
project/thesis before it is ready for a defense. For many this can be a difficult and stressful stage
in the overall Master’s degree process; however, with a good foundation of coursework, a
reasonable time line, and a strong proposal this can also be the most exciting period of a student’s
M.A. career.
Whether students are working on a thesis or a project, they will be expected to turn in a chapter at
a time to his/her thesis/project chair instead of waiting until completing the entire thesis/project.
Students should expect an average turn-around time of two to three weeks, depending on the time
in the semester and in order to avoid last minute rushes. The process of going from proposal to a
completed thesis/project rarely takes less than two semesters to complete. Students should
prepare to write and rewrite several drafts before completion. Also, it is a good idea to check with
the chair of one’s committee and the second and third member to assure that they are not going on
sabbatical during the last year of the thesis/project as this can make a timely termination of degree
more difficult.
Before beginning this final stage of graduate studies, students should consult the Graduate School
website for deadlines and forms necessary to complete the final steps needed to graduate
(http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/student-services/academicresources/Pages/Masters.aspx ).
a. Thesis/Project Committee
Each student must put together a three member faculty committee to supervise the entire M.A.
thesis or project from proposal to defense. All committee members must have graduate faculty
status in the Graduate School. A list of current graduate faculty may be found on the Graduate
School website (http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/graduatefaculty/Pages/graduate-faculty-directory.aspx ). If a potential faculty member is not listed or if
the list indicates the faculty member’s appointment has expired, the student should contact the
Sociology Graduate Program Director to find out if the potential committee member has an active
graduate faculty appointment.
The chair of the committee is the student’s principal advisor at the final stage of graduate
education. Students should work closely with the chair of their committee on the entire
thesis/project process, submitting a proposal and choosing second and third committee members
to the completion of completing a thesis/project. While students primarily work with the chair of
the committee (the thesis/project advisor) throughout the process, it is still essential to select
appropriate committee members who can help the students with their scholarly expertise. It is
strongly advised that students start early on their thesis processes and involve their committee
members when they have questions or concerns about their research.
Please note that while the faculty members have a duty to help students through this process, the
student is responsible for the development of an acceptable proposal. Students who undertake
15
research beyond the proposal-writing stage without having secured the committee's agreement to
serve and its approval of the proposal are at risk of investing time and effort in a thesis/project
which may ultimately prove to be unacceptable to the Department.
b. Thesis/Project Proposal
Prior to working on a thesis/project, all students are required to complete a proposal outlining the
scope, intent, importance, and methodology of their thesis/project. All students must have their
thesis proposal approved and signed off by each member of their committee prior to signing up
for master thesis/project units. (See Appendix for the Thesis/Project Proposal Approval Form).
The thesis/project proposal provides a map for a student’s larger project. It formally organizes the
student’s thinking about the topic. Most proposals include four main components: Introduction to
the study, the theoretical framework(s) to be used, a review of literature, and a statement of
methodology. If a student cannot address these four areas, he/she is probably not ready to write a
proposal. Essentially, the proposal should do the following:
 State the principal hypothesis, thesis, or central arguments to be investigated
 Locate the thesis in relation to existing literature on the subject (literature review)
 Describe the method(s) which will be used
 Describe the expected results
 Discuss the potential value of the thesis/project
 Indicate potential problems and how they will be dealt with
 Outline subsequent chapters/subsections of the research.
Thesis/Project Proposal Guidelines
 Title: Students must make sure to develop a title that encompasses the scope of the
proposed research and gives the committee members a “heads up” on what the proposal
will address.
 Introduction: In one or two paragraphs, students should briefly introduce the research
topic and identify the sections that the paper is going to cover.
 Research Question: Students should consider the following questions:
o What is your research question? Please state it clearly in this brief paragraph.
Why is your research question important enough to be the subject of your
Master’s thesis or project? In the case of a project, state the key question(s) that
your project will address and how. For example, what important questions will
your educational curriculum or grant proposal pose? What controversies will be
considered? How will your project present those controversies and attempt to
answer critical questions?
 The Role of Theory: Students should consider the following questions:
o What theory/theories and related concepts form the framework of your thesis or
project? Define the concepts you will use and how they relate to your work. In
the case of a research study, propose a hypothesis that you will test
 Literature Review /Current State of the Question: Students should explain the
background and the current state of the topic and outline briefly the most significant
scholarly studies in the area. Appropriate citations must be included.
 Methodology: Students should consider the following questions:
o What sociological methods will you propose to use to answer your research
question? Your study can use either quantitative or qualitative methods or an
appropriate combination.
16
o


What is your justification for using the methods you have selected? Present
elements of your research design. For example, you will need to include
information about the population you will be using (and why), how you will
sample the population, data collection techniques and measurement
instruments/interpretive methods you will use, the ways in which you will record
your data, how you plan to analyze your data, and limitations of your approach.
Brief information about human subjects’ protection and related ethical issues is
appropriate in this section.
Concluding Section: This section presents some information on what a student can
anticipate finding or learning from the proposed study. This should take the form of a
well-rounded discussion on what the student thinks he or she’ll uncover, why the findings
will be valuable, and to whom. Discuss how the findings will be potentially useful for the
target audiences.
Formatting
o The proposal should be approximately 8-12 pages, double-spaced, typed in 10-12
point traditional font (e.g., Times New Roman).
o It should have a title, and include your name, committee member names (if
available), and date on the title page.
o It needs to include at least bibliographical references. These must be listed on a
separate “References” page at the end.
o Use major headings, and level 2 and 3 sub-headings, as appropriate.
o Use 1" margins on all sides, and either footnotes, endnotes, or author/year
citations, as appropriate.
o Use ASA style or any recognized style that is used correctly and consistently.
Citations should be complete, containing all the requisite information.
A formal thesis/project proposal approved and signed by the three committee members whom the
student has selected must be submitted to the Graduate Program Director at the beginning of the
semester during which the student registered for the first thesis hour:
Fall Semester--Proposal due September 17
Spring Semester--Proposal due February 18
Summer Semester--Proposal due June 10
(It is highly recommended, however, that students submit the proposal during the prior
Spring semester if he or she wants to begin the thesis/project during the summer.)
No student may proceed with a thesis without a signed proposal: If a student fails to meet the
deadline and submit his or her proposal late, there is no guarantee on the timeliness of faculty
feedback on either the proposal or any subsequent writing he or she does that semester. Without a
signed proposal by the end of the semester during which a student registers for his or her first
semester of thesis hours, the student will not be permitted to sign up for a second semester of
thesis hours. This will delay the student’s thesis completion and date of graduation.
c. Master’s Thesis Option
Generally speaking, students are advised to pursue a thesis if they plan to pursue a doctoral
degree because many Ph.D. programs tend to use research as a criterion for admission. The
experience of completing original research should also help students in the dissertation process.
17
Students who choose the thesis option will complete an original piece of research of
approximately 60-100 pages in length.
The Master’s Thesis option requires the completion of 30 semester hours of graduate course work
and 6 hours of Master’s thesis. A thesis can be a qualitative or quantitative research study, or a
theoretical paper. The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate the student’s ability to execute a
professional level sociological study. The skills required include:
 Familiarity with previously published literature on the problem
 Formulation of a hypothesis or research question
 Specification of appropriate procedures or research design
 Collecting or accessing relevant information or data
 An appropriate analysis of materials
 An appropriate interpretation of the results, conclusions and implications of the study
 Effective written communication of the information in an appropriate style (e.g., ASA)
 A satisfactory oral defense of the work
Students should obtain the newest copy of the “Guidelines for Preparing Masters’ and Doctoral
Theses” from the Graduate School website:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/programresources/Forms/Guidelines%20for%20Thesis_Dissertations.pdf
If students are interested in seeing what previous sociology M.A. theses look like, there is a
collection of theses in the department library.
Thesis Submission Processes
In the semester in which a student intends to submit the thesis for examination, he or she must
first submit an Application for Admission to Candidacy to the Graduate School. This initiates the
process of determining if the student has met all of the other requirements for the degree and is
eligible to submit a thesis.
All theses must be submitted to the Graduate School for format review before the final
examination or defense. This review ensures that the material is presented in a readable format
that is consistent with the standards of the University. Students will receive back a list of format
revisions that must be made before the final copy is submitted. Students also will be working with
their graduate advisor/committee to make content revisions prior to submitting the final copy.
The student then submits a Request for Examination, which publicly announces the exam or
defense for all interested parties. At the exam or defense, the student may be asked to revise or
add to the thesis before it is approved. The revised thesis is then submitted to the examination
committee for final approval.
Once the thesis is signed by the appropriate faculty committee, three reproduced or original
copies of the thesis, two on CU bond and one on regular paper must be submitted. The University
keeps all three of these copies. The student may also order additional copies at this time. The
binding fee is due and payable when the thesis is submitted to the Graduate School. Since fees are
subject to change, contact the Graduate School for current fees.
For more detailed information, please visit the Graduate School’s academic resources page:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/student-services/academicresources/Pages/default.aspx
18
d. Master’s Project Option
The Master’s Project option involves 30 semester hours of graduate course work and three hours
of internship and three hours of project hours. The Master’s Project refers to applied sociological
work such as educational curriculum, a grant, a program evaluation, a description of a
professional experience, or an internship. This option must be accompanied by a related scholarly
paper of 30-50 pages, double spaced. The project option allows these students to conduct research
with the goal of translating the material into something immediately useful to a setting outside of
the university. While students enrolled in this option will have to take additional coursework (i.e.,
internship), the writing element of the project is about half that of a thesis. While the project
option allows some flexibility for the student and advisor to determine the final form of the
research, M.A. projects need to be passed through a committee in the same manner as a
traditional thesis. A project is typically done for three credit hours, but with the consultation of
program directors and project advisor, a particularly involved or complex project may earn more
credit hours. Such an agreement should be put in writing. Project guidelines such as the proposal
and final draft deadlines, human subjects review, assembling a three-person committee, and
scheduling an oral defense are identical to those outlined in the thesis requirements described
above.
e. Thesis/Project Examination (Defense)
Once a graduate student has completed several drafts of his/her thesis/project and sufficiently
satisfied any questions of the committee chair, the committee will decide whether or not he or she
is ready to defend and must approve the scheduling of a defense. This is one of the final stages of
the degree process and typically entails a review of the research (including the central hypothesis,
evidence collected, significance of research, and any problems/unexpected results encountered) in
front of the entire thesis/project committee. Students are asked questions about their work and are
expected to be able to defend their research and their approach in a professional manner.
Students fill out the Request for Examination form in consultation with their committee chair
(graduate advisor) to set the date of the exam. The exam should be scheduled prior to the
semester deadline so that any revisions required by the committee can be completed by the end of
the semester. It's advisable to have the student’s advisor/committee chair initial the date of exam,
since no signature line is included.
The Graduate Program Director will give the student permission to proceed with scheduling the
defense. It is then the student's responsibility to schedule the exam and make sure that all
committee members agree to the date, time, and place.
If the student successfully defends his or her thesis/project then the members of the committee
will sign off and the final product will need to be submitted to the Graduate School. However,
there are usually further revisions to be made after the defense and before the final product can be
submitted as complete.
Register for thesis credit (required): Students must be registered during the semester of their final
examinations/defenses (this also applies to students working on IP’s or IW’s). Registration for
submitting only the thesis is not required if the defense was held in a previous semester. A student
who wishes to schedule an examination/defense between semesters may use the previous or the
following semester’s registration to meet this requirement (NOTE: Summer session is considered
a separate semester.) For the purpose of this registration requirement, a new semester begins on
the first day of instruction for that semester.
19
f. Human Subjects
The Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (COMIRB) is responsible for reviewing and
overseeing human subject research conducted at the University of Colorado, Denver Campus.
Legal requirements to protect human subjects apply to a much broader range than many
researchers realize, and applying the regulations is not always a straightforward process. In light
of this difficulty and the potential consequences for noncompliance, researchers are advised to
consult with COMIRB when uncertain whether the activity is considered human subject
research.
Students contemplating the use of human subjects in their research (includes surveys, interviews,
and/or any kind of information obtained by using persons as test subjects) must submit review
forms and obtain approval from the COMIRB before beginning such research. Information on
the COMIRB on the Downtown Denver campus is available at
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/research/AboutUs/comirb/Pages/comirb-home.aspx.
Animal Subjects
Students doing research that uses animals in any form must have their research protocol approved
by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. See their website for information:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/research/AboutUs/animal/Pages/index.aspx
9. GRADUATION
During the final stages of graduate education, it is important that students adhere to the deadline
dates in order to ensure a smooth graduation process. For more complete and detailed information,
please visit the Graduate School MA advising page:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/student-services/academicresources/Pages/Masters.aspx
Be sure to refer to the procedure for the Denver Campus, not the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Graduation Forms for Master's Candidates
Complete and submit the following (see below):
 Intent to Graduate (online process): This must be completed at the beginning of the
semester the student plans to graduate, even if previously submitted
 Application for Admission to Candidacy Form: This form is used to list all the credits
(courses, thesis/project, independent study/internship, and transfer) the student wishes to
apply toward the degree plan, which is then signed by the Graduate Program Director,
Department Chair and student. It must be filled out as completely as possible, including:
the instructor's name, course title/number, semester taken and grade received for every
credit.
 Request for Graduate Examination Form: (submit at least two weeks prior to exam)
20
10. CHECK LIST FOR M.A. DEGREE
Application
___ Complete application form or apply online
___ Three (3) letters of recommendation
___ Two (2) copies of official transcripts sent
___ Statement of purpose and goal of graduate study
___ Writing sample
___ GRE score (optional)
___ TOEFL score (if applicable)
___ Confirm the status
Undergraduate Deficiency Course Requirements (if applicable)
___ SOCY 3111 Research Methods
___ SOCY 3121 Statistics
___ SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory
___ SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory
Core Course Requirements
___ SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar
___ SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory
___ SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory
___ SOCY 5024 Research Methods
___ SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis
___ Elective Course Requirements
___ Internship Requirements (Project Option only)
Thesis/Project
___ Select three committee members
___ Thesis/Project Proposal
___ Thesis/Project Proposal Approval From
___ Application for Admission to Candidacy
___ Schedule thesis/project defense
___ Submit thesis format review
___ Intent to Graduate Form
___ Request for Graduate Examination Form
___ Thesis Submission Sheet
___ Request for Graduate Examination Form
___ Master’s Thesis
___ Master’s Project
21
11. SAMPLE TIMELINES
Below are several sample timelines for completing the program. Obviously, there can be as many
scenarios as the number of students who, after all, face many different financial and social
conditions. These sample timelines are, therefore, for a reference purpose only.
Time limit
Master’s degree students have a maximum of five years from the date of the start of course work
after admission to the program to complete all degree requirements. If a student exceeds this time
limit, he/she must obtain an approved extension from the Graduate Program Director and the
CLAS Dean of Graduate Studies.
TABLE 1 shows a two-year plan for the Thesis Option. This model is recommended only for
students who have no undergraduate deficiencies and can maintain full time graduate status
throughout two years.
TABLE 1: Two-year Plan Timeline Model with Thesis Option
Fall
First Year
SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar
SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory
SOCY 5024 Research Methods
Elective Course 1
3
3
3
3
Subtotal
Spring
SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis
Elective Course 2
12
3
3
3
Subtotal
9
Second Year
Fall
SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis
Elective Course 3
Elective Course 4
Spring
SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis
Elective Course 5
3
3
3
Subtotal
9
3
3
Subtotal
Total
22
6
36
TABLE 2 shows a two-year plan for the Project Option. This model is also recommended only
for students who have no undergraduate deficiencies and can maintain full time graduate status
throughout two years.
TABLE 2: Two-year Plan Timeline Model with Project Option
Fall
First Year
SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar
SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory
SOCY 5024 Research Methods
Elective Course 1
3
3
3
3
Subtotal
Spring
SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis
Elective Course 2
12
3
3
3
Subtotal
9
Second Year
Fall
Internship
Elective Course
Elective Course
3
3
3
Subtotal
Spring
SOCY 5964 Master’s Project
Elective Course
9
3
3
Subtotal
Total
23
6
36
TABLE 3 shows a three-year plan for the Thesis Option. This model involves undergraduate
theory deficiencies which require a student to enroll in SOCY 4150 History of Sociological
Theory and SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory. The graduate theory sequence
(SOCY 5014 & 5015) starts on the beginning of the second year.
TABLE 3: Three-year Plan Model with Thesis Option Involving Theory Deficiencies*
First Year
SOCY 4150 History of Sociological Theory*
SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar
SOCY 5024 Research Methods
Elective Course
Fall
D
3
3
3
Subtotal
Spring
SOCY 4160 Contemporary Sociological Theory*
SOCY 5183 Quantitative Data Analysis
Elective Course
9
D
3
3
Subtotal
Second Year
SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory
Elective Course
Elective Course
Fall
6
3
3
3
Subtotal
Spring
SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theory
Elective Course
9
3
3
Subtotal
6
Third Year
Fall
Spring
SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis
SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis
3
3
Subtotal 6
Total
36
*These courses do not count toward graduate elective credits.
24
12. SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
* = core required courses for all graduate students
SOCY 5000 Professional Seminar: Introduction to Sociological Inquiry*
Professional Seminar is designed to orient new graduate students to graduate education and the
profession of sociology. Students are introduced to aspects of their graduate and professional
careers and acquainted with the UCD Sociology graduate program and members of the graduate
faculty and their research and interests. The seminar is generally instructed by the Graduate
Program Director, but many topics are also guided by other faculty members in the department.
Prerequisite: Admission to M.A. program
Required: All entering graduate students are required to enroll for the Professional Seminar
during their first fall semester, including students with undergraduate deficiencies and transferred
students.
Offered every Fall semester.
SOCY 5014 Classical Sociological Theory*
Classical Sociological Theory examines the emergence and development of sociological ideas,
concepts, and principles. It introduces students the historical and social contexts in which theories
of society are instituted. Particular attention is paid to the importance of and implication to
contemporary sociology made by classical sociologists such as Durkheim, Marx, and Weber.
Prerequisite: Regular admittance into M.A. program or the completion of undergraduate theory
deficiency requirements.
Required: The first required graduate theory course.
Offered every Fall semester.
SOCY 5015 Contemporary Sociological Theories *
Contemporary Sociological Theory/Theory Construction analyzes contemporary sociological
theory and examines the process of theory construction.
Prerequisites: SOC 5014 Classical Sociological Theory
Required: The second required graduate theory course.
Offered every Spring semester.
SOCY5024 Research Methods*
Problems and procedures in research design, data collection and processing.
Prerequisite: Regular admittance into M.A. program or the completion of undergraduate method
deficiency requirements.
Required: The first required graduate method course.
Offered every Fall semester.
SOCY5110 Sociology of Health Care
Examines the health care institutions of the United States. Issues such as rising costs, the effect of
class, racial and gender inequality, the professionalization and monopolization of roles, current
restructuring, construction of illness and health, managed care, health care for profit, and the
ethics of health care decisions.
SOCY5120 Popular Culture and the American Family
A course in family sociology about the ways in which the American family is portrayed in the
mass media and popular culture are studied. Even though the historical evolution of this
reciprocal relationship is not ignored, the focus is on today’s relevant issues.
25
SOCY5183 Quantitative Data Analysis*
A research-oriented seminar stressing the utilization of social data already collected in the test or
generation of sociological theory.
Prerequisites: SOC 5024 Research
Required: The second required graduate method course.
Offered every spring.
SOCY5220 Population Change and Analysis
The sociological importance of population study, advanced demographic analysis, and population
theory.
SOCY5430 Societies in Transition
A description and analysis of changing social structures and social relationships as a response to
technological innovation and change.
SOCY5440 Social Inequality
The historical development of various systems of production of social surplus, its differential
distribution among distinct social groups, and the effects on social structure.
SOCY 5475 Self and Identity
A course in social psychology focusing on individuals in social interaction. Focuses on selfconception, identify presentation of self, and self and emotion management. Major theories and
research in social psychology literature are examined.
SOCY 5550 Sociology of the Family
An intensive review and analysis of the family as a social institution.
SOCY 5610 Sociology of Religion
An intensive review and analysis of the fundamental tenets of religion as a social institution, with
emphasis on present-day religious cults, their beliefs and activities in society.
SOCY 5640 Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence
An in-depth overview of the theories and research regarding the life course understanding of
infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Children´s lives and cultures in relation to adults and their
transition from childhood to adolescence are studied.
SOCY 5650 Sociology of Adulthood and Aging
An in-depth overview of the theories and research using the life course understanding of
adulthood and aging. Adult’s lives, the transition from adulthood to elderly status, and social
policy issues are also studied.
SOCY 5660 Social Psychology
Sociological approaches to the study of the self, role theory, persons in situations, identifications,
socialization, and other characteristics of persons in society.
SOCY 5680 Hate Groups and Group Violence
Social sciences help us understand the phenomena of hate groups and group violence and
contribute toward their elimination. Examples are examined using theoretical perspectives on
different levels of analysis and within different areas of research.
26
SOCY 5690 Crime and Inequality Over the Life Course
A life-course perspective on issues of inequality and crime. Studies transitions, trajectories and
turning points as key features of the life course. Considers how life inequalities and criminal
behavior are shaped by the timing of experiences, historical and geographic contexts, other
people's lives, and human agency.
SOCY 5750 Criminology
An intensive review and analysis of the literature and research dealing with the sociology of
crime in modern society.
SOCY 5770 Advanced Topics in Sociology
Advanced study of special topics in sociology. The topics to be selected by the instructor.
SOCY 5955 Master’s Thesis*
Prerequisite: All core courses SOC 5000, 5014, 5015, 5024, 5183 must be taken before enrolling
for SOC 5955 Master’s Thesis
SOCY 5964 Master’s Project*
Prerequisite: All core courses SOC 5000, 5014, 5015, 5024, 5183 must be taken before enrolling
for SOC 5964 Master’s Project
27