M.S. in Athletic Training

M.S. in Athletic Training

The Master of Science in Athletic Training prepares graduates for the athletic training profession. The program emphasizes both ethics and research across the curriculum to integrate theory to practice and is designed to facilitate inter-professional practice as athletic trainers engage actively with professionals across the health care disciplines.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Athletic Training

Sociology - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Sociology provides students with advanced training for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in both the public and private sectors. The program offers specializations in criminology and deviance, the sociology of health and mental health, social inequalities (race, class, gender) and social psychology.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a Visit
Find All Majors

Program Information for Sociology - Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sociological theory by using it to better understand social phenomena and human behavior, develop new theoretical arguments and pose and attempt to answer research questions.
  2. Demonstrate a an advanced understanding of research methods in sociology, including both quantitative methods (e.g., survey, experimental) and qualitative methods (e.g., participant observation, content analysis).
  3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of statistics in application to social research, including advanced techniques (e.g., structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling).
  4. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex scientific literatures and execute sophisticated original research through the successful completion of a dissertation project.

Admissions for Sociology - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university1
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcripts(s)
  • GRE scores (taken within the last five years) (starting with the fall 2026 admission term, the GRE is no longer required)
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages), describing current academic interests, research interests, long-range career goals and how admission will facilitate the achievement of these goals
  • Three letters of recommendation from current/former professors who can adequately evaluate the applicant's past work and potential
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

Applications for admission are accepted from those who will have a completed a master's degree upon starting the program. It is limited to students whose records clearly indicate both scholarly and research potential to do doctoral-level work.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: December 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
SOC 72002PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN SOCIOLOGY 13
SOC 72105CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THOUGHT 3
SOC 72218ADVANCED DATA ANALYSIS 4
SOC 72219QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY 4
SOC 72894COLLEGE TEACHING OF SOCIOLOGY 3
Advisor-Approved Electives 216
Culminating Requirement
SOC 82199DISSERTATION I 330
Minimum Total Credit Hours:63
1

All students who entered the program with an master's degree earned at another institution must take SOC 72002. This course will not be waived. Students who are waived the course may graduate with 60 total credit hours.

2

Students who have already completed a master's degree in sociology or a related field are required to take a minimum of 16 elective credit hours, 9 of which must be in a specialization area. No more than 6 credit hours of SOC 72896 and/or SOC 72898 may be applied toward the degree as elective credit. No more than 6 credit hours of doctoral-level coursework outside the department may be applied toward the degree as elective credit. These limits include courses taken while earning a master’s degree in sociology.

3

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for SOC 82199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for SOC 82199, and thereafter SOC 82299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. After completing the dissertation, students must successfully defend it in an oral examination. The exam will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student's specialty area.

Candidacy Requirement

To earn the Ph.D. degree, students must pass the doctoral candidacy examination. The examination will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student’s specialty area.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Sociology - Ph.D.

Social science research assistants

5.8%

faster than the average

40,100

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Sociologists

3.6%

about as fast as the average

3,200

number of jobs

$86,110

potential earnings

Sociology teachers, postsecondary

3.8%

about as fast as the average

17,000

number of jobs

$75,610

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Sociology - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Sociology is designed to prepare students for doctoral study in sociology and for careers in a variety of professions and industries, including, but not limited to, government, research companies and non-profit organizations.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a Visit
Find All Majors

Program Information for Sociology - M.A.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of professional and ethical issues and duties in the discipline of sociology.
  2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of early/classical sociological theory by using it to better understand social phenomena and human behavior; and develop new theoretical arguments and pose and attempt to answer research questions.
  3. Demonstrate a practical understanding of research methods in sociology.
  4. Demonstrate a practical understanding of multivariate statistics in application to social research.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to carry out original research through the successful completion of a thesis project.

Admissions for Sociology - M.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university1
  • Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcripts
  • GRE scores (taken within the last five years) (starting with the fall 2026 admission term, the GRE is no longer required)
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages), describing current academic interests, research interests, long-range career goals, and how admission will facilitate the achievement of these goals
  • Three letters of recommendation from current/former professors who can adequately evaluate the applicant's past work and potential
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

Applications for admission are accepted from those who will have a completed bachelor's degree upon starting the program.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: December 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
SOC 62002PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN SOCIOLOGY 3
SOC 62100EARLY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY 3
SOC 62211QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY 4
SOC 62217MULTIVARIATE TECHNIQUES IN SOCIOLOGY 4
Advisor-Approved Electives 110
Culminating Requirement
SOC 62199THESIS I 6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

No more than 6 credit hours of SOC 62896 and/or SOC 62898 may be applied toward the degree as elective credits. No more than 3 credit hours of 50000-level coursework may be applied toward the degree as elective credit.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Sociology - M.A.

Social science research assistants

5.8%

faster than the average

40,100

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Sociologists

3.6%

about as fast as the average

3,200

number of jobs

$86,110

potential earnings

Sociology teachers, postsecondary

3.8%

about as fast as the average

17,000

number of jobs

$75,610

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Subscribe to
© 2026 Kent State University All rights reserved.