Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

1. Undergraduate

   • A.B. Sociology

     The A.B. Sociology program is designed to be completed in four years. It consists of general education courses in the freshmen and sophomore years and coursework in Sociology and related courses in the junior and senior years. Students are expected to complete 163 units of general education and Sociological courses to graduate from the program.

     Incoming freshmen students should pass the Mindanao State University System Admission and Scholarship Examination (MSU SASE) to be admitted into the program. On the other hand, students from other colleges and universities who are interested to shift or transfer to the program will be evaluated based on their scholastic performance in the general education and social science courses they took in the first two years of their university schooling.

   AB Sociology Program (PDF)

   AB Sociology Course Description (PDF)

   Career Paths

   According to the American Sociological Association (ASA), students who graduate with a A.B. in Sociology and enter the job market directly will find themselves competing with other liberal arts students, but with an advantage--knowledge of key social factors and a firm grasp on research design and methods. This advantage of the A.B. Sociology program provides breadth and the potential for adaptability.

   Although few occupations include "sociologist" in their title at the bachelor's level, the sociological perspective is excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations.

   Sociology majors who are interested in organizational theory gravitate toward organizational planning, development, and training. Those who study the sociology of work and occupations may pursue careers in human resources management (personnel) and industrial relations. Students who especially enjoy research design, statistics, and data analysis seek positions in marketing, public relations, and organizational research. Courses in economic and political sociology, cultural diversity, racial and ethnic relations, and social conflict can lead to positions in international business.

2. Graduate

   The MSU-IIT Department of Sociology offers graduate programs leading to the MA in Sociology and Master in Sociology. The programs place special emphasis on training students on Sociological theories and research methods and preparing students for academic and applied research, teaching, applied Sociology, among others.

   • Master of Arts in Sociology

     The MA Sociology Program is designed to be completed in two years for full time students and a maximum of five years for part time students. To graduate from the program, students are expected to complete 36 units of graduate work:

     Master of Arts in Sociology Program (PDF)

     Master of Arts in Sociology Course Description (PDF)

     • Completed thirty (30) units of academic course work in addition to six (6) units of required thesis writing with a grade point average of at least 2.00
     • Passed the comprehensive examination given
     • Successfully defended his/her thesis before the graduate school panel
   • Master in Sociology

     The Master in Sociology Program is designed to be completed in two years for full time students and a maximum of five years for part time students. To graduate from the program, students are expected to complete 36 units of graduate work:

     Master in Sociology Program (PDF)

     Master in Sociology Course Description (PDF)

     • Completed thirty three (33) units of academic course work in addition to three (3) units of required special problem writing with a grade point average of at least 2.00
     • Passed the comprehensive examination given
     • Successfully defended his/her special problem before the graduate school panel
   • CHED Faculty Development Program-II 2010-2015

   Career Paths

   Masters programs in sociology prepare graduates for careers in teaching/research positions in colleges and universities (academic settings) and for research/program development careers in business, industry, and organizations (applied settings).

   To be successful, you should like teaching and research. A flexible schedule and varied set of activities are advantages of the academic work life. Opportunities for academic administration provide another career avenue.

   Those with advanced sociology degrees can compete for positions in corporations, think tanks, and agencies that focus on research; statistical analysis; program development, management, analysis, and evaluation; corporate planning and restructuring; and many other fields. They can also work collaboratively or independently as contract researchers and organizational consultants.

   Graduate education in sociology provides additional training in advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as computerized data analysis. Advanced courses in industrial sociology, group processes, organizational analysis and development, labor/industrial relations, industrial psychology, marketing, economics, and public relations round out the graduate program.

   Research competence acquired in graduate school broadens employment opportunities, as does in-depth knowledge of substantive areas in sociology.

   Sociologists with an M.A. combine their advanced training in research methods, statistics, and theory with a substantive focus in such specialties as organizational sociology, sociology of work and occupations, sociology of labor, or medical sociology. They follow three major career paths that often overlap:

   • Teaching in college or university settings
   • Working in corporate and industrial organizations
   • Consulting to business and industry

   Practitioner Roles

   • Organizational Researcher in Industry, Government, or other Service Organization
   • Divisional Staff Position
   • Independent Consultant
   • Trainer or Field Employee

   Academic Roles

   • Teacher and Trainer
   • Academic Researcher
   • Academic Consultant
   • Mediator and/or Arbitrator