SOCIO-MA - Sociology (MA)
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Program Overview
Coterminal Master of Arts in Sociology
The Sociology coterminal MA program is open to Stanford undergraduates in any major. The program is flexible, and self-designed. With early, and careful planning, students may be able to complete the coterminal master's degree in sociology by the end of their senior year or within one or two additional quarters following. Please contact the coterm student services officer for information about the program.
Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this Bulletin. Coterminal Master's Degrees describes university requirements for the coterminal master’s degree . Graduate Degrees describes university requirements for the master’s degree.
After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request a transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy the requirements for the master’s degree. Transferring courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case-by-case basis.
Students may transfer relevant units from their undergraduate careers. Courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken before the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.
Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.
The university requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The university also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.
Master of Arts in Sociology for Current Stanford Graduate Students
The MA degree in Sociology is available to current PhD candidates in Sociology and to students in advanced degree programs (PhD, JD, MD) from other Stanford departments and schools.
Students who wish to engage in more in-depth study on a specific topic may focus on coursework within an area of study, such as Poverty and Inequality, Social Psychology, Organizations and the Economy, or Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration.
Sociology PhDs may receive their MA in their second or third year of graduate study. Interested students from other degree programs should visit the Sociology department website.
Admissions Information
Coterm Application Information
To apply for a coterm degree, undergraduates must meet eligibility requirements set by the Registrar’s Office and the Sociology department. General requirements for coterm applications include completing at least 120 units and six non-summer quarters at Stanford. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in previous undergraduate work is required, but not sufficient, for admission. It is also highly recommended that applicants complete at least one Sociology course at the 100 level with a grade of B or better. The admissions decision is a holistic one that carefully considers the student's statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.
The department accepts applications once a year; the application deadline is January 22, 2026 for spring quarter enrollment. There are no exceptions to this deadline. All application materials are submitted online. The GRE is not required for a Sociology master’s program application.
Please note: The department does not fund coterminal MA students.
To apply for admission to the Sociology coterminal MA program, students must submit the following:
The Application for Admission to Coterminal Master’s Program (available online in mid-September).
Statement of purpose: limited to 2 pages, double-spaced. Applicants should outline reasons for pursuing the MA in Sociology, including career aspirations, plans for additional advanced degrees, or other aspects of their academic experiences that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating their motivation for graduate study. Students interested in a research-intensive curriculum should also describe their specific research interests and plans to complete an original research project, a research apprenticeship with Sociology faculty, or both.
Preliminary Program Proposal for Master’s Degree: this form should be uploaded to the online application. At least 45 units of coursework relevant to the degree program must be specified. Example 2025-2026 academic year proposals appear under the Degree Requirements.
Current unofficial undergraduate transcript.
Two letters of recommendation from Stanford faculty familiar with the student’s academic work. Additional letters from teaching assistants, employers, or other individuals are accepted as supplemental materials but are not required. Letters from Sociology faculty or department affiliates are highly recommended, especially for students with GPAs at or near the minimum requirement.
Master of Arts in Sociology for Current Stanford Graduate Students Application Information
Although formal application to the MA program is not required, applicants from outside of the Sociology department must submit:
Graduate Authorization Petition form, available electronically through Axess
Program Proposal for an MA form available for download from the Registrar’s Office website, submitted to Sociology Graduate Student Services Manager
One page double-spaced statement of purpose submitted to Sociology Graduate Student Services Manager.