Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
On-Campus
About the Master of Arts in Sociology at Loyola
From informing public policy to engaging communities, sociology plays a pivotal role in improving the world around us. Professionals with a background in sociology can contribute research that helps build social programs, advocate for policy changes, or teach the sociologists of tomorrow.
Whether you are a recent graduate of a bachelor's program or are currently working in a related field, earning your sociology master's degree at Loyola University Chicago will broaden your career opportunities—and allow you to make a positive social impact.
Program Structure
The sociology MA can be pursued full time or part time. Classes are held on weekday evenings and weekends at Loyola's Lake Shore Campus.
MA in Sociology Tracks
General Master of Arts in Sociology
Gain a broad foundation in general sociology and explore a field relevant to your career interests and goals. This track can prepare you for teaching, research, governmental work, or public service.
Applied Master of Arts in Sociology
Develop the research skills you need to help shape social policy and programs. This track places special emphasis on quantitative and qualitative research and how to apply it in organizations.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your eligible undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your Sociology MA?
At Loyola, you will receive a well-rounded education that prepares you for numerous careers. From the Chicago location to our long-standing record of placing master's in sociology students in jobs, you will benefit from the countless opportunities at Loyola.
- A manageable sociology master's program
- Small class sizes
- Chicago: A hub of opportunities
- A long record of job placement
- A faculty of scholar-teachers
- Real-world training in research and teaching
Complete Loyola's MA in Sociology in a year and a half as a full-time student, or take classes part time so you can keep working while you earn your degree. Our evening seminars accommodate working professionals like you.
Connect with faculty members and peers in courses with 15 students or less. Graduate seminars often feature even smaller class sizes with focused research topics.
Pursue your graduate education in a vibrant, culturally rich city. Chicago offers you an exciting place to live, along with numerous opportunities for jobs after earning your master's in sociology degree.
Expand your future opportunities with a sociology master's program that places equal emphasis on teaching and research, preparing you for jobs in various sectors, including academic, professional, nonprofit, and government.
Learn from faculty who are as committed to mentoring you as they are to their research interests. Loyola's expert faculty members are nationally respected, active scholars who also offer you individualized attention and an abundance of learning opportunities.
Hone your teaching and research skills in actual classrooms and through your thesis project or internship. Our sociology MA students have interned in a variety of settings, including criminal justice organizations, women's centers, government agencies, newspapers, and corporations.
Sociology Department
The Department of Sociology is a place for intellectual growth with a commitment to understanding and engaging in major societal challenges, and collegial fellowship.
Department WebsiteMeet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the department faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Sociology MA program.
FacultySociology: Career Connections
Prepare for master's in sociology jobs in several contexts and settings, including research labs, nonprofit organizations, higher education, public policy, social service agencies, police departments, community organizations, hospitals, and more.
Specific job options include:
- Social researcher
- College instructor
- Consumer researcher
- Policy analyst
- Sociologist
- Urban or regional planner
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Sociology MA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Sociology MA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMaster of Arts in Sociology Results and Skills
The master's in sociology at Loyola University Chicago equips you to excel in sociology jobs by growing your knowledge and building your skills in a range of areas, including:
- Critical thinking
- Research and inquiry
- Verbal and written communication
- Cultural awareness
- A knowledge of social institutions
- Teaching
- Curriculum planning
- Data analysis
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Sociology MA totals $34950.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,165.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
The Graduate School Scholarships
Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Sociology MA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall: June 5
Spring: December 1
Please note that decisions are typically delivered 2 weeks following the complete application submission.
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Sociology MA include:
Official Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Students should have completed undergraduate courses in Introductory Sociology, Sociological Theory, and Research and Statistics. Exceptions may be made in certain cases - please contact the Graduate Program Director Marilyn Krogh at mkrogh@luc.edu with any questions.
Statement of Purpose Details
Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals. Please note there is a writing sample requirement that needs to be completed in addition to this section.
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Sociology MA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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