The Master of Science in Sociology: Corrections is designed for a person seeking a leadership role in the active critique and transformation of corrections practice. The graduate of this program will have a dedication to the application of the sociological perspective to correctional practice, a thorough understanding of the correctional system, a commitment to improving the system of justice, and the ability to facilitate and maintain the necessary processes for change. The graduate of this program is further expected to promote, within Corrections and to the community at large, a commitment to the principles of social justice, respect, tolerance, dignity and worth of all persons.
Students seeking admission to the Master of Science in Sociology: Corrections program must meet the following requirements:
Students not meeting specific requirements may be admitted provisionally and be asked to fulfill deficiencies in addition to the regular schedule of courses.
The Master of Science in Sociology: Corrections degree requires:
Thesis Option: 33 credits including 3 thesis credits or
Alternate Plan Paper Option: 34 credits including 1–2 APP credits
The following courses are required:
Soc 602 (3) Seminar in Social Organization Soc 603 (3) Seminar in Social Psychology
Soc 603 (3) Seminar in Social Psychology
Soc 605 (3) Seminar in Sociological Research
Soc 606 (3) Seminar in Sociological Theory
Soc 607 (3) Program Evaluation
Cor 647 (3) Correctional Theory and Practice
Cor 559 (3) Issues in Corrections
Cor 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper OR
Cor 699 (3) Thesis
The selection of the remaining courses is planned with the student's advisor with consideration given to the student's previous preparation and professional objectives. The faculty recommends that the students choose from the following:
Soc 509 (3) Family Violence
Cor 543 (3) Penology
Cor 547 (3) Community Corrections
Cor 548 (3) Correctional Law
Cor 549 (3) Correctional Counseling
Cor 551 (3) Law and Justice in Society
Cor 552 (3) Victimology
Cor 553 (3) Treatment Methods in Corrections
Cor 698 (1-6) Internship in Corrections
Soc 517 or Cor 517 (3) Program Administration
Soc 541 or Cor 541 (3) Social Deviance
Soc 542 or Cor 542 (3) Criminology
Soc 565 or Cor 565 (3) Law and Chemical Dependency
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average for the entire degree program. Half of all graduate credit applied toward the degree must be earned in courses at the 600 level. The student must complete all graduate degree requirements within six years.
The alternate plan paper or master’s thesis is written under the supervision of the student’s advisor and examining committee. Requirements for the paper or thesis include an oral defense of a proposal at the beginning of the project and a successful oral defense of the product upon completion of the work.
An alternate plan paper may take one of two forms. An academic APP is a critical, comprehensive review of empirical research that applies relevant theory, identifies gaps in our knowledge, and offers original insight. An applied APP uses existing theory to identify practical or community problems and empirical research to identify possible solutions and is accountable to both the academy and the community.
A master’s thesis draws upon existing theory and literature to pose and answer some set of research questions through the analysis of data, broadly understood. The thesis may take the form of original research, an historical review, replication of an existing study, secondary analysis of available data, or applied research.
