Page 245 of Boston College 2005-2006 University Catalog by Boston College University

Information for Study Abroad Although the Sociology Department designates no particular prerequisites, the Department strongly recommends that students have completed at least five courses in Sociology, including all of the required courses (Statistics, Methods, Theory), prior to going abroad. There are no official limits as to how many courses taken abroad will count toward major credit. Courses taken overseas in a department of Sociology or Anthropology of a BC-approved program will almost always be accepted for credit towards the Sociology major. Courses taken in other departments will not be considered unless a syllabus, reading list, and list of other course requirements are submitted. However, the department recommends not more than three Sociology courses in any one semester or five Sociology courses in a full year. All Sociology majors should consult with Professor Michael Malec, McGuinn 402, when planning their study abroad program. Internship The Department offers internship placements in court probation offices and other legal settings, and in settings designed for students who wish to acquire practical work experience in human services, political or social research, or social policy agencies. Students typically take these courses in their junior or senior year as a way to find out more about what it is like to work in one of the many settings where Sociology majors may find employment after graduation. For details, consult Professor John B. Williamson. Five Year Masters Degrees with a Sociology Major Majors in Sociology have the opportunity to earn two degrees over a period of five consecutive years. B.A./M.A. Program Admission Application normally takes place early in the second semester of the junior year. The usual deadline each year is January 2. The applicant must submit the same admissions materials as are required of all graduate degree applicants. Apply online at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/admission/. Undergraduates must understand that the admissions requirements are strict. Normally, a student must have an overall GPA, after 5 semesters, of at least 3.5 with at least a 3.5 GPA in Sociology courses. For details, consult Professor David Karp. B.A./M.S.W Program The choice of this program will provide the Sociology major with an undergraduate B.A. degree in Sociology and with the professional degree of Master of Social Work. The B.A. degree will be awarded with the students undergraduate class. The Masters degree will be awarded one year later. The choice of this program should be made by Sociology majors in their sophomore year so that the required course sequence and degree requirements can be fulfilled. For details, consult Professor Paul Gray. Graduate Program Description Below is a general description of our M.A. and Ph.D. programs. For more detailed information, see our Graduate Handbook under http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/sociology/grad/. Masters Program The M.A. program prepares students for careers in the areas of social research, applied sociological analysis, and basic college-level teaching, while also providing the foundation for advanced graduatelevel study toward the Ph.D. Admissions: Superior students, regardless of their undergraduate area of specialization, are encouraged to apply. Applicants should submit, in addition to the usual transcripts and letters of reference, a statement of purpose and any other information that might enhance their candidacy. GREs are recommended but not required. Personal interviews, when practical, are desirable. Apply online at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/admission/. Masters Degree Requirements: Among the ten courses (30 credit hours) needed for completion of the M.A. degree, five courses are required. These include: A two-semester sequence in sociological theory (SC 715, SC 716), a one-semester course, Survey of Research Methods (SC 710), and a two-semester sequence in statistics (SC 702, SC 703). Doctoral Program Admissions: The Ph.D. program is organized around the theme, Social Economy and Social Justice: Gender, Race, and Class in a Global Context. The program seeks to combine the rigors of scholarly analysis with a commitment to social justice in a wide range of social institutions and settings. With the pursuit of social justice as an overarching theme, the program prepares students for careers as university and college faculty and as researchers and decision makers in business, the public sector, and not-for-profit organizations. The primary criteria for admission are academic performance and promise of outstanding independent work. See also Masters statement above. Apply online at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/admission/. Ph.D. Degree Requirements: The Doctoral degree is fulfilled by completing all MA requirements, completing an additional eight courses including another graduate level Methods course, meeting a one year full-time residency requirement, writing a research paper of publishable quality, passing general comprehensive examinations, and completing a doctoral dissertation and passing an oral defense. M.B.A./Ph.D. Program (M.B.A./M.A. also offered) The Department and the Carroll Graduate School of Management administer this dual degree program, which trains social researchers, providing them with a systematic understanding of the business and work place environment and trains managers in social research techniques appropriate to their needs. The program is interdisciplinary, focusing on topics such as corporate responsibility and accountability, social investment, workplace democracy, and industrial relations. Apply online to both schools, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/admission/and the Carroll Graduate School of Management at http://www.bc.edu/schools/csom/mba/ prospective/. Financial Assistance The Department has a limited number of financial assistance packages in the form of Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships, Graduate Fellowships, and tuition waivers, with all candidates accepted to the Ph.D. program assured of receiving funding. Awards are made on the basis of academic performance, experience and skill, as well as department needs. Apply online at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/admission/. The Sociology Departments e-mail address is sociolog@bc.edu. 242 The Boston College Catalog 2005-2006 ARTS AND SCIENCES

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