Admission Requirements​

In addition to the completed online graduate application and paid application fee, admission requirements for the MA Sociology program include components below. Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. The application portfolio is not reviewed by the admissions committee until all components are uploaded in the graduate admissions portal by the application submission deadline.

 

(1) Degree and GPA Requirements

• The applicant must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• The applicant must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale or a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of coursework.
• A GRE score is not required for admission.

 

(2) Official Undergraduate Transcripts

• All official undergraduate transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to Fayetteville State University.

 

(3) Statement of Purpose

• In the statement of purpose, the applicant should focus on the following:
  • an introduction that clearly states the applicant’s purpose for applying to the program
  • discussion that outlines why applicant is drawn to studying sociology, including any experiences that shaped the applicant’s desire to pursue graduate studies in sociology (e.g., life experiences, professional experiences, academic experiences, volunteer experiences, research experiences, co-curricular experiences)
  • discussion about how earning a Master of Arts in Sociology will assist applicant in achieving career goals
• The statement of purpose should not exceed two single-spaced typed pages.

 

(4) References

• The applicant must submit two letters of recommendation from professors; however, if it has been two or more years since the applicant has graduated from school, letters from individuals listed below may be considered by the admissions committee:
  • employment manager/supervisor who can speak to applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program
  • colleague(s) who can speak to applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program
  • president and/or volunteer coordinator of a community service/civic engagement organization whereby the applicant has engaged in volunteer work
• If the references are not Fayetteville State University professors, then the recommender must complete the recommendation form and submit a recommendation letter.
• If applicant’s references do not fall within the aforementioned categories, then the applicant should contact the graduate program coordinator to discuss the matter.
• Please note that references cannot be family members or friends.

 

The Master of Arts in Sociology program is a fully online, non-thesis degree program.

 

Program Course Requirements