Master of Arts - Sociological Practice

The mission of the Master of Arts in Sociological Practice at California State University San Marcos is to provide a sound academic and professionally useful graduate education for students interested in working in social services and community agencies, those who plan for teaching careers at the community college level, and those who plan to pursue a Philosophy of Doctorate degree.

The program includes courses on theory and methods, critical perspectives on social service delivery, sociological advocacy, and both substantive and skill-based elective seminars. Solidly grounded in social scientific theory and methods, the program prepares students for a range of careers in which professionals are required to provide needed services to clients and to administer and evaluate programs in social services, community agencies, and non-profits. The program also helps prepare them for entry into doctoral programs in Sociology and related disciplines.

Courses in the Master of Arts in Sociological Practice build upon faculty members’ research and community expertise in the areas of aging, education, critical race, gender, and sexualities, health and mental health, critical criminology and juvenile delinquency, immigration, militarism, social welfare, and family and community studies. The program has been designed primarily as a terminal degree for students seeking careers in community college teaching, the human services or criminal justice sectors, or as preparation for advanced graduate study.