Master of Science - Sociology

Dr. Lee Bidwell, Chair
Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Studies
434.395.2699, bidwelllm@longwood.edu

Dr. Kenneth B. Perkins, Program Coordinator
434.395.2243, perkinskb@longwood.edu

GRADUATE SOCIOLOGY AT LONGWOOD: APPLYING THE SCIENCE OF SOCIETY

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Studies offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Science - Sociology, with a concentration in Criminal Justice.

The mission of graduate sociology is an extension of the general mission of Longwood University. The goal is to develop in our students qualities of the citizen-leader by providing graduate-level education that emphasizes the applied use of sociological theories and methods. Students have the opportunity to learn how to apply sociology through practica, real life experience in their professional fields. With a program designed to serve students who are already in a service profession related to sociology and those seeking positions in these fields, we offer the kind of education that will encourage professional growth and enhance leadership ability. The student interested in the many fields of criminal justice will benefit from our program's well-developed ties to various criminal justice and related institutions throughout the region.

The program is unique in four ways. First, it is oriented to the application of sociological theories and methods to social life. This includes issues related to crime, juvenile delinquency, poverty, family violence, service delivery, and human resources. Second, the program utilizes off-campus and online course offerings and a blend of traditional and innovative time formats. These arrangements make the program especially attractive for in-service professionals. Third, because it is grounded in the liberal arts discipline of sociology, it is an appropriate degree program for students in a variety of vocations. Fourth, the program is well integrated into local and regional criminal justice and social service agencies and is supported by an advisory panel of distinguished professionals.

Graduate sociology at Longwood is currently offered off-campus at the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Lynchburg. Courses are offered in a variety of time formats that include weekends

COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM 

There are two ways to complete the program. A student can pass a comprehensive examination or write and defend a graduate thesis. The student electing to take the comprehensive examination must be enrolled in or have completed the 36th credit hour. The student electing to write a thesis must complete a minimum of 27 hours of instruction prior to enrolling for thesis research credit hours. Each student is assigned an academic advisor by the program coordinator.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION 

A comprehensive examination is, as the name suggests, intended to assess a student's overall grasp of sociology and its application to problems of social life. It allows for a capstone type of integration of material and is an important final check on the student's competency.

After the student has completed 24 credit hours, the student must secure the agreement of three graduate faculty members from the department to serve on his or her Comprehensive Examination Committee. The student must ask one of these faculty members to chair the committee. The Constitution of the Comprehensive Examination Committee form, for recording the membership of the committee, is available from the graduate coordinator. The completed form should be given to the graduate coordinator.

A student who has elected to take the comprehensive examination must be completing the 36th hour of course work in the semester or summer session in which he or she takes the examination or have completed the 36th hour the previous semester.

No fewer than 90 days prior to taking the examination, the student must complete the Intent to Take a Comprehensive Exam form signifying his or her intention to take the examination during a specific semester or summer session. The chairperson of the student’s Comprehensive Examination Committee must sign this form, and a copy must be submitted to the coordinator of graduate sociology. 

The student must then enroll in SOCL 699 – Comprehensive examination no later than the last day to add a course in the semester or summer session in which they wish to take the exam.

The student's Comprehensive Examination Committee will be responsible for the preparation, administration, and evaluation of the comprehensive examination. These general rules will apply to the administration of the examination:

 1. The exam shall be designed to evaluate the student's written expression, ability to reason sociologically, and skill in applying sociological theories, methods, and knowledge in one content area of sociology.

 2. A reading list shall be provided to the student at the beginning of the semester in which he or she is to take the comprehensive exam.

 3. The exam shall consist of no fewer than three and no more than five essay questions.

 4. The examination will be administered in either a one-day sitting or over a two-day period (as in a weekend) as agreed to by the student and the committee.

 5. The examination will be taken at a site agreed upon by the Examination Committee and the student.

 6. The grading of the exam will be pass/fail. The student's Examination Committee must reach a consensus for a "pass" grade.

 7. The chair of the Examination Committee will communicate, in writing, the outcome of the examination's assessment to the student, the Dean of Graduate Studies and to the Registrar.

THESIS 

A thesis is a manuscript that documents systematic inquiry into a research question. It, like a comprehensive examination, allows for a capstone type of integration of material.

A student should register for SOCL 600 – Thesis Research after earning 27 credits. The student will earn six credits for the thesis research course upon successful completion of an oral defense of the thesis. Successful course work, thesis preparation and defense will result in a total of 33 credit hours.

A student interested in the thesis option should begin exploring thesis possibilities with instructors soon after entering the program. The graduate faculty will assist students in the choice of a thesis director and committee members. The committee must consist of a thesis director and two other graduate sociology and anthropology faculty who are qualified to serve as committee members and readers of the thesis. As soon as the student has secured members of the thesis committee, he or she must develop an acceptable thesis proposal. This proposal must be approved and signed by the committee and the department chair. After the thesis committee has approved the proposal, the student may be asked to defend orally the proposal.

The student must conduct research and report the results in the appropriate sociological format. The thesis should demonstrate originality and understanding of the chosen topic.

The student must pass an oral examination on the subject of the thesis and related questions. The official examiners will consist of the three committee members. An Oral Examination scheduling form must also be filed with the program coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies at least four weeks prior to the oral examination (defense) date.

The completed thesis, when approved and defended, will carry the signatures of the members of the thesis committee. The student will supply three copies of the thesis, two of which will be placed in the Longwood Library and another in the department library (see the Academic Regulations section of this catalog for general requirements for writing the thesis). The student will provide an abstract of the thesis of not more than 400 words to be filed in the Office of Graduate Studies. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE 

The Criminal Justice Research Institute was established in 1997 to promote research on criminal justice issues. The purpose of the Institute is to contribute to the examination of criminal justice policy by providing a setting in which academics and criminal justice system personnel can join together to apply scholarly research to policy development and analysis. The institute initiates original research projects and responds to requests from policy and private agencies within the community.

Recent institute projects include evaluations of police community relations in several local communities. Current and future research projects will continue to explore police community linkages as well as specialized topics such as domestic violence and juvenile justice.

For more information, contact the institute coordinator, Dr. Debra S. Kelley, (434.395.2692 or kelleyds@longwood.edu)

CERTIFICATE IN SOCIAL POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION 

The graduate Sociology program offers a twelve-credit hour (four courses) Certificate in Social Policy and Administration. Social policy can be understood to encompass federal and state legislation and administrative policy in specific agencies. This policy is aimed at public issues stemming from our society’s attempt to adapt to social, demographic, environmental and technological change and the attendant social problems. The purpose of this certificate would be to enhance the career of in-service professionals in sociology-related fields. These professionals would benefit by understanding the origin of social policy initiatives, the content of policy, and current approaches to leadership, administration, and finance. Course work in the certificate program could apply towards the sociology Master of Science degree should an individual decide to pursue the degree while enrolled in the certificate program. Certificate course requirements include Socl 503-Research and Evaluation Techniques I, Socl 516-Administration and Leadership in Organizations, Socl 518-Contemporary Social Problems and Policies, and Socl 525-Policy Formulation and Implementation. Additional information and applications can be obtained from the Graduate Sociology Program Coordinator or the Sociology Department.