Department of Sociology

Graduate Student Handbook

2021-2022 Academic Year

Applies to all Students

beginning Fall 2021 or later

Department

of Sociology

Sam

Houston State University

Box

2446

Huntsville,

77341-2446

TABLE OF

ONTENTS

PART I:

DEPARTMENTAL

POLICY

Program Orientation 3

Admissions Requirements 4

Performance Standards and Scholastic Expectations 5

Transfer of Credit 7

Program Governance 8

Petition Policies 9

Students with Disabilities 9

Religious Freedom and Observance of Religious Holidays 10

PART II: THE MASTER OF ARTS SOCIOLOGY

General Curriculum Requirements 10

Curriculum Description 10

Thesis Degree Plan 11

Capstone Project 15

Course Descriptions 19

Two-year Matriculation Timelines 23

Part III: GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Certificate in Sociology 25

Certificate in Community Development 26

PART IV:

GRADUATE STUDENT

RESOURCES

Graduate Assistantships 26

Scholarships 29

SHSU Academic Resources 30

PART V: FORMS AND CHECKLISTS

Appointment of Thesis Committee 31

Thesis Prospectus 32

Thesis Defense 33

Academic Calendar for Thesis Timeline 34

APPENDIX

A: Capstone Requirement Rubrics

Systematic Review of Literature 38

Teaching Portfolio 39

PART I:

DEPARTMENTAL

POLICY

Program Orientation

The graduate programs in Sociology at Sam Houston State University are entirely online and

designed to provide students with advanced instruction in methodological techniques,

theoretical perspectives, and empirical evidence in substantive areas that guide sociological

inquiry. Given our faculty’s varying research agendas, our program emphasizes Public Sociology

as its theme. On completion of our program, students cultivate skills that bring sociology to the

public sphere through foci such as grant writing, program evaluation, impact assessment, social

justice, and community-based research.

Our award-winning faculty is committed to providing high quality instruction through active

participation in ongoing scholarly and applied research. Faculty research interests include:

Social Inequality

• Race/ethnicity

• Class

• Gender

• Migration

Health and Well-Being

• Health and Medical Sociology

• Family and Social Demography

• Aging

Community, Food, and the Environment

• Community Development

• Environment and Natural Resources

• Rural Sociology

• Disasters

• Food and Agriculture

Target students for the graduate programs in Sociology include

• Individuals who plan to pursue doctoral studies in sociology and are interested in

research and instructional positions at a college or university.

• Practicing professionals who wish to enhance their analytical and applied research

skills.

• Individuals seeking employment in government or private social service agencies.

• Individuals who plan to teach lower-level sociology courses and a community college or

university.

Graduates from our program have found careers in government, non-profit organizations,

academia, and industry. Convenient online classes provide quality instruction that fits within your

personal and professional schedule. In addition, the flexible degree plan allows students the

opportunity to take courses in diverse areas of interest.

There are three graduate programs housed in Sociology at Sam Houston State University (i.e.,

Masters in Arts of Sociology, Graduate Certificate in Sociology, and Graduate Certificate in

Community Development).

NOTE: Requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies at Sam Houston State University as stated

in the Graduate Catalog (http://catalog.shsu.edu/graduate/) apply to all operating procedures of

the Department.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted to the graduate program biannually for the Fall and Spring semesters. There

are no Summer admissions. The application deadline for Spring enrollment is December 1; the

application deadline for Fall enrollment is August 1. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The following are required for admissions consideration:

1. Graduate Studies Application: The Graduate Studies Application is an institutional

application required by SHSU. Students must provide biographical and educational

information and information relevant to determining State of Texas residency. To

apply, go to http://www.shsu.edu/admissions/apply-texas.html.

2. Application fee: Required for all applications to graduate programs at SHSU.

3. Transcripts d o cu m en t i n g all prior degrees. Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts

for review by the admissions committee. However, under university policy, admission

decisions are contingent upon receipt of official transcripts.

4. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0: Applicants who do not possess a graduate degree

from an accredited institution are expected to have earned a minimum undergraduate

GPA of 3.0 from the accredited institution granting the undergraduate degree.

Applicants who do not possess a graduate degree and have an undergraduate GPA

below 3.0 are encouraged to provide an explanation for the applicant’s low GPA and

why the GPA is not indicative of the applicant’s academic and professional potential in

the Letter of Intent.

5. Letter of Intent: The Letter of Intent is your opportunity to discuss your fit with the

program offered at Sam Houston State University. While you have a significant amount

of freedom to discuss anything you would like in your letter of intent, you may want to

address your short-term and long-term academic/professional goals, why you would

like to attend our program, and why your interests fit with our program.

6. Writing Sample (MA only): Writing sample to highlight the applicant’s ability to think

critically, apply a sociological perspective, and clearly communicate original ideas in

writing.

7. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required for each

applicant. Letters should discuss the applicant’s suitability for graduate study.

All application materials are submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions through the electronic

submission system (https://www.shsu.edu/dept/graduate-admissions/transition.html).

Performance Standards and Scholastic Expectations

The curriculum requirements for each program vary slightly (and are detailed in subsequent

sections in this handbook). In addition to completing relevant program criteria, students are

expected to maintain high performance standards throughout their residence in the program and

remain in “academic good standing” at Sam Houston State University.

Grading System

Four grades are given in graduate courses at the University:

Grade Denotation

A Academic Excellence

B Acceptable Performance

Passing, yet Insufficient Performance

F Performance Failure

The mark “IP” denotes “in progress” and is given in thesis and other courses which cannot be

completed within one semester. The mark “CR” denotes “credit.” The mark of “W” denotes

“withdrew” and is given for resignations. The mark “X” denotes “incomplete.” If the student meets

the prescribed requirements of the course before the end of the next academic semester after the

“X” is given, the student will receive the grade earned; otherwise, the mark “X” will be automatically

changed to an “F.” The mark of “Q” is assigned to courses dropped after the thirteenth class day, for

a fall or spring semester, or from the fifth class day, for a summer session, but by the last date to

drop courses or labs with a “Q” indicated in the SHSU Academic Calendar. Courses with the mark of

“Q” will not be counted as courses attempted and will not be included in determining grade point

averages. However, be aware that SHSU students are allowed no more than five “Q” drops during the

course of their career at SHSU.

In order to achieve and remain in academic good standing at Sam Houston State University, a

graduate student must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 on all graduate

coursework attempted.

Academic Probation and Suspension:

A 3.0 overall grade point average is the absolute minimum required for graduation. A graduate

student who falls below a 3.0 overall grade point average at the close of any semester during which

one or more semester credit hours are attempted will be placed on probation. If an enrolled

student on probation fails to achieve a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average at the close of the

next semester following the starting of the probation, the student will be terminated.

A student who earns a grade of "C" in any course (repeated or distinct course) within the academic

program may have his/her graduate status reviewed by a committee comprised of the department

or college's graduate faculty. The committee will recommend an appropriate remediation for the

student. A student who earns two grades of "C" in distinct or repeated courses within their

academic program will be terminated from graduate studies. A graduate student who earns a grade

of "F" in any graduate course will be terminated from graduate studies. The grade of “NC” is

treated as a grade of “C” for the purpose of determining Academic Standing, but is considered an

insufficient grade to meet degree course requirements. Those students who earn a second or

subsequent grade of "C" or "NC" or a grade of "F" in any combination of courses within their

academic program during the semester or summer session of their anticipated graduation will be

terminated from graduate studies and will not be eligible to graduate in that term. The appropriate

academic dean may place on probation, retain on probation, or terminate any student deficient in

grade points without regard to the regulations previously stated.

Any appeal for a review of the termination of graduate status should be directed in writing through

the graduate advisor of the program, then to the chair of the department, then to the academic

dean of the college, and finally to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Refer to

Academic Policy 910312 for further information.

If a student wishes to pursue a different program after being terminated from the original program,

the student must complete the admissions process and be accepted into the new program. A

student must be in Academic Good Standing in order to change to a new program or receive a

release from the academic program, academic dean of the college, and Dean of The Graduate

School. Once accepted to the new program, the previous program must release the termination

block in the Registrar's Office before the student can register in the new program.

Resignations:

To resign (officially withdraw) from the University in a given semester, a student must notify the

Registrar’s Office and process a Resignation Request. The Resignation Request must be in writing

and becomes effective on the date received by the Registrar’s Office. The effective date of the

Resignation Request, as received by the Registrar’s Office, is the date used for determining any

refund as authorized in the State Refund Policy (see Tuition and Fees Refund Policy). The student is

responsible for clearing all debts owed to the University. A student who wishes to drop all courses

must officially resign. A student who discontinues attending class and fails to officially resign from

the University will receive the grade of “F” in each enrolled course. A student who resigns after

the 12th class day of a regular semester or after the 4th class day of a summer session will receive a

mark of “W” for each enrolled course. A student who resigns from the University while enrolled in a

course whose duration is less than a normal term will receive a mark of “W” if the resignation

occurs after one-half of that course time has been completed.

Academic Honesty:

The Graduate Faculty of Sam Houston State University expects students to conduct academic work

with integrity and honesty. Acts of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and can result in the

failure of a course and dismissal from the University. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not

limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, collusion (the unauthorized collaboration with another

person in preparing work offered for credit), the abuse of resource materials, and

misrepresentation of credentials or accomplishments. The University’s policy on academic honesty

and appeal procedures can be found in the Student Guidelines, distributed by the Division of

Student Services. Students should check with their academic colleges and departments for

potentially stricter policies than those listed in the Graduate Catalog.

Additional academic policy and student guidelines provide specific information about the SHSU

educational mission and student conduct can be accessed in the Academic Policy Manual

(https://www.shsu.edu/dept/academic-affairs/policies.html).

Transfer of Credit

In accordance with Academic Policy Statement 801007, graduate courses completed at other

accredited colleges and universities may be applied as transfer credit toward a graduate degree at

Sam Houston State University at the discretion of each graduate program and the college in which it

is housed. Transfer credit is not automatically conferred and must be requested by the graduate

advisor. Only courses with an earned grade of “B” or better may be used as transfer

credit. Transferred courses must adhere to the six-year time frame for Master's degrees and the

eight year time frame for doctoral degrees. If courses are older than the allowed time frame,

written justification must be provided by the graduate advisor with approval by the academic dean

and the Dean of The Graduate School for courses to be transferred.

The maximum number of hours that may be transferred into a graduate program are as follows:

6 hours of transfer credit toward a degree of 30 hours;

9 hours of transfer credit toward a degree of 31 to 36 hours;

12 hours of transfer credit toward a degree of 37 to 48 hours;

15 hours of transfer credit toward a degree of 49 or more hours.

Transfer or credit does not apply to graduate certificates at SHSU.

Students are encouraged to contact the graduate advisor concerning transfer credit.

Program Governance

Director of Graduate Studies

The Director of Graduate Studies is appointed by the Department Chair. His or her duties

include:

• Supervision of the Graduate Programs in Sociology

• Graduate Student Advisement

• Curriculum Management and Development

Supervision of the Graduate Program in Sociology:

The Director is in charge of implementing and enforcing the rules of the graduate programs in

Sociology at SHSU. He or she must be familiar with the University and Departmental rules

concerning enrollment in the program, academic requirements, academic specializations and

other aspects of the SHSU graduate career in Sociology.

Graduate Student Advisement:

The Director of Graduate Studies is the advisor for all graduate students. It is the duty of the

Director to advise students of required coursework and curriculum objectives relevant to

students’ needs. The student, in consultation with the Director, will determine which academic

degree plan is appropriate for the student’s intellectual, academic, and career goals. Students

who opt for the Thesis Degree Plan will establish a permanent advisor from the graduate faculty

who will serve as his or her thesis chairperson.

Curriculum Management and Development:

The Director of Graduate Studies is in charge of overseeing the sociology graduate curriculum.

This includes overseeing student learning outcomes and the development of new courses and

programs.

The Graduate Committee:

The Graduate Committee is appointed by the Sociology Department Chair in consultation with the

Director of Graduate Studies. The Graduate Committee is the main body of governance for the

graduate program curriculum standards and policies regarding the operation of the graduate

program. The graduate committee assists the Director of Graduate Studies in implementing

graduate student admission, formulating the graduate program policy and advising the

Department of Sociology on the Graduate Program policy issues.

Department of Sociology Graduate Faculty:

The Department of Sociology Graduate Faculty consists of regular and adjunct department faculty

members who have maintained high academic standards in research, teaching, and service at

SHSU. All Graduate Faculty possess a terminal Ph.D. degree in sociology or related field to

sociology and are qualified to teach core and area-specific curriculum at the graduate level. Only

Department of Sociology Graduate Faculty may serve as chairpersons

of a thesis committee.

Petition Policies

Students who are seeking admission to the Sociology Graduate Programs, or those who have already

been admitted, may find that their unique situations may preclude the application of certain

departmental policies. In such cases, students may submit a formal request for exemption from the

relevant policy. Common petitions are listed below.

1. Undergraduate GPA Waiver:

Students who are seeking admission to the graduate program but did not earn a 3.0 GPA during

their undergraduate studies may request a waiver of this requirement. In these cases,

students must demonstrate a high potential for success in the graduate program in spite of

their GPA deficiency. Students must submit a formal written request to the Director of Graduate

Studies explaining their individual circumstances relevant to the need for relief from this policy.

2. Request for Transfer Credit:

In accordance with SHSU Academic Policy Statement 801007, graduate courses completed at

other accredited colleges or universities may be applied toward the graduate degree in

Sociology at SHSU. The maximum number of credit hours that can be transferred differs

based on the number of credit hours per degree. Only those transferred courses from

accredited institutions in which a grade of “A” or “B” was earned and which are accepted

toward an official degree program will be considered for transfer.

Transfer credit is not guaranteed. Students must submit a formal written request to the

Director of Graduate Studies in order to have their transfer credits

considered viable for the degree program. The Director may request supporting

documentation when considering transfer credits, including, but not limited to syllabi,

course catalog descriptions, formal letters from previous professors, etc.

3. Termination of Graduate Status:

Any appeal for a review of the termination of graduate status should be directed in writing

through the Director of Graduate Studies, to the Chair of the Department, to the Dean of

the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and finally to the Dean of Graduate Studies

for final approval or denial.

4. SHSU Student Grievance Procedure:

The Department abides by the university policy with respect to student grievances. For a

complete listing of the university policy, see: https://www.shsu.edu/dept/academic-

affairs/aps/aps-students.html.

Students with Disabilities

It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that individuals otherwise qualified shall not be

excluded, solely by reason of their disability, from participation in any academic program of the

university. Further, they shall not be denied the benefits of these programs nor shall they be

subjected to discrimination. Students with disabilities that might affect their academic performance

should register with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities located in the Lee Drain

Annex (telephone 936-294-3512, TDD 936-294-3786, and e-mail dis[email protected]). They should

then make arrangements with their individual instructors so that appropriate strategies can be

considered and helpful procedures can be developed to ensure that participation and achievement

opportunities are not impaired. SHSU adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws,

regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for students with

disabilities.

For more information on Sam Houston State’s policy on students with disabilities, please see

https://www.shsu.edu/dept/disability/

Religious Freedom and Observance of Religious Holidays

The Texas Education Code requires that an institution of higher education excuse a student from

attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a

religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this

subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or

complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the

absence. “Religious Holy Day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are

exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20 of the Tax Code. Students should contact the

instructor as soon as possible regarding any missed classes due to “Religious Holy Days.” See

the policy at https://www.shsu.edu/dept/academic-affairs/aps/aps-students.html

Part II: The Master of Arts in Sociology

General Curriculum Requirements

A minimum of 37-credit hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree must be completed for the Master of

Arts in Sociology. The following requirements also apply:

• Thirty-one credit hours must be completed in the Department of Sociology at Sam Houston

State University.

• All M.A. students must take the following core courses: SOCI 5100: Proseminar in

Sociology, SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory, SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological

Research, SOCI 5314: Social Statistics, and SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods.

• All M.A. students must select one of the two degree plans: 1) Thesis Degree Plan or 2)

Capstone Project. There are different curriculum requirements for each degree plan.

Curriculum Description

Graduate students in Sociology are required to take two types of courses to complete their

degree: 1) Core Required Courses and 2) Elective Courses.

Core Required Courses:

Core Required Courses provide foundational study in sociological theory, research methods, and

statistics.

Core courses are typically offered as follows:

• Fall Semester: SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology, SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological

Theory, and SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research

• Spring Semester: SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

• Fall and Spring Semesters: SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

For those utilizing the Thesis Degree Plan, Core Required Courses include two additional courses

to facilitate the thesis proposal and defense—SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum and SOCI 6099: Thesis.

Students must complete 24 hours of graduate coursework prior to enrolling in SOCI 6098:

Thesis Practicum, and students must successfully complete SOCI 6098 Thesis Practicum prior to

enrolling in SOCI 6099.

Elective Courses:

Elective Courses provide students with the opportunity to explore substantive areas relevant to

graduate faculty expertise. Students are free to select courses relevant to their own academic

interests.

Thesis Degree Plan

Thesis Degree Plan Coursework Requirements: 37 credit hours

Core Required Courses (19 credit hours)

These courses are required for all students. Students may not register for SOCI 6098: Thesis

Practicum until they have completed 24 credit hours of graduate coursework. Students may only

SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology

SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum

SOCI 6099: Thesis

Elective Courses (18 credit hours)

Each student must select six of the following courses. Students may use up to 6 credits

from graduate courses outside of the Sociology department to fulfill this requirement.

Additional Core Electives beyond the requisite 3 credit hours may be applied to satisfy

Elective Course requirements.

SOCI 5099: Graduate Readings in Sociology

SOCI 5313: Qualitative Research Methods

SOCI 5333: Sociology of Religion

SOCI 5319: Sociological Entrepreneurship

SOCI 5337: Gender and Society

SOCI 5320: Sociology of Community

SOCI 5321: Cultural Sociology

SOCI 5322: Medical Sociology

SOCI 5324: Social Chand and Development

SOCI 5325: Sociology of Food and Society

SOCI 5331: Sociology of the Family

SOCI 5338: Sociology of Disaster

SOCI 5351: Seminar in Environmental Sociology

SOCI 5353: Seminar in Race and Ethnic

Studies

SOCI 5355: Seminar in Social Inequality

SOCI 5380: Social Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation

SOCI 5386: Sociology of Aging

SOCI 5378: Techniques of Research Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences

SOCI 6360: Seminar in Sociology SOCI

Thesis Degree Plan Details

The Thesis Degree Plan is designed for students who anticipate further graduate study in Sociology

or a related discipline. Graduate students who select the Master of Arts Thesis Degree Plan are

required to write a Master’s thesis. The thesis is an original research work that demonstrates the

candidate’s theoretical, methodological and substantive skills in the discipline. This degree plan is

designed for students who plan to continue graduate education or whose professional interests

require enhanced analytical skills.

Thesis Eligibility

Students must have successfully (1) completed core course requirements (with a B or higher), (2)

finished a minimum of 25 credit hours (four elective courses in addition to core) prior to beginning

the thesis process. On meeting these requirements, students must schedule an appointment with

the Director of Graduate students to articulate their plans for the thesis and propose at least one

potential thesis advisor. After ensuring the student has outlined a sociological topic, that may be

overseen by a faculty member with aligning interest, the Director of Graduate studies will facilitate

communication between the student and the proposed, eligible faculty advisor. Once the graduate

faculty member has agreed to serve as an advisor, the student will be enrolled in thesis coursework.

The Thesis Committee

Students selecting the Thesis Degree Plan will form a thesis committee from the graduate

faculty on the completion of their first thesis course (SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum). The

committee must be composed of a thesis advisor (selected prior to enrolling in SOCI 6098)

and at least two Sociology faculty members, all of whom have appropriate graduate faculty

status. External members can also be included in the committee as additional members.

With the approval of the committee chair, the department chair, the Dean of the College of

Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dean of Graduate Studies the committee may include

one member who is not employed by SHSU per Academic Policy Statement 950601. The

committee must then be approved by the chair of the department and the Dean of the

College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Any change in the composition of the thesis or

dissertation committee must be approved in the same manner.

The Thesis Prospectus

Once a student has selected a thesis committee chair, and after completing a minimum of 24 credit

hours, including the core required courses, the student may enroll in SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum.

Note that all students must receive approval from their thesis chairs before registering for SOCI

6098: Thesis Practicum. As coursework in SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum, and in consultation with the

thesis chair, the student will select a subject of investigation and determine the availability of the

required sources, facilities, materials, and equipment for the research and the writing of the thesis.

The student will prepare a prospectus which will specify the topic, detail the purpose of the

proposed investigation, describe the proposed method(s) of investigation, indicate the relationship

of study to relevant research and findings of scholars in the student’s area of concentration, and

provide a commentary on source materials and/or facilities available for the successful completion

of the research. The prospectus must be approved by the thesis committee by the end of the

semester for which the student is registered for SOCI 6098. Upon committee approval, the signed

prospectus is submitted to the Graduate Director, Chair of Sociology, and Dean of the College

of Humanities and Social Sciences for final approval. Any subsequent changes in topic or the

proposed method of investigation must be approved in writing by the committee and submitted for

approval to the Graduate Director, Chair of Sociology, and Dean of the College of Humanities

and Social Sciences.

The Thesis

Upon approval of the thesis proposal, students may enroll in SOCI 6099: Thesis. Master’s

candidates should be in regular contact with their advisor throughout the thesis process.

Candidates should consult with their advisor regarding review of their thesis by committee members.

The candidate should submit the completed thesis to the thesis committee at least two weeks

prior to the scheduled defense. Students must complete their thesis and pass the formal oral

defense by the deadlines scheduled in the SHSU Academic Calendar and the SHSU

Thesis/Dissertation guidelines. Guides for preparation of the thesis are available

from the library at http://library.shsu.edu/research/guides/thesis.

SHSU Graduation Procedures for the Thesis Degree Plan

In addition to the curriculum requirements, SHSU has created a set of guidelines in order to

complete the Thesis Degree Plan. The following steps must be completed, most in the graduating

semester. A list of semester specific dates may be accessed from

https://shsulibraryguides.org/thesisguide/checklist_and_deadlines

In accordance with university deadlines:

1. The candidate shall submit at least one full draft chapter of the thesis to the Library for

format and style review.

2. The chair of the committee or the graduate advisor establishes a time and location for

administering a verbal defense of the thesis. Attendance at the defense is open to the

entire university community.

3. The thesis chair will submit a signed Report of the Outcome of the Thesis/Dissertation

Defense to the appropriate academic dean.

4. Upon successful completion of the defense, the candidate will begin the electronic

routing process using the Vireo Electronic Submittal System.

SHSU theses guidelines must be followed. For a detailed overview of these guidelines and tools

that will assist students in their authorship of a thesis, access the library’s SHSU Thesis Guidelines

and Tools website: http://library.shsu.edu/research/guides/thesis/.

Satisfactory Progress: Thesis Degree Plan

Standards are cumulative: Meeting the standard for any semester requires having satisfied any

unmet criteria from previous semesters. Semester counts do not include summer. Students who

earn a failing grade of F or two Cs in any courses will be terminated from graduate studies.

End of first semester

1. Completed at least one of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

2. Completed a minimum of 6 credit hours that count toward M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.75 in graduate courses

End of second semester

1. Completed at least four of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

e. SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

2. Completed a minimum of 13 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.75 in graduate courses

End of third semester

1. Completed all of the Core Classes

2. Completed a minimum of 19 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.75 in graduate courses

End of fourth semester

1. Completed a minimum of 25 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

2. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.75 in graduate courses.

3. Selected a thesis chair and formed a thesis committee

End of the fifth semester

1. Successfully completed SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum

2. Completed a minimum of 31 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.75 in graduate courses.

End of sixth semester

1. Successfully completed SOCI 6099: Thesis

2. Completed a minimum of 37 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

Capstone Project Degree Plan

Capstone Project Degree Plan Coursework Requirements: 37 credit hours

Capstone Project Degree Plan Details

1. Capstone project: Students must produce a polished, formal paper that satisfies the specific

requirements of one of two options (briefly summarized below) and is approved by their

faculty mentor and two graduate faculty reviewers in their substantive area.

a. Systematic review of scholarship (in one of three identified substantive areas)

b. Teaching portfolio (emphasis on Introduction to Sociology and an elective in one of

three identified substantive areas).

2. Professional presentation [for systematic review of research]: Students must present their

capstone project at either:

a. A regional or national professional conference (poster sessions do not satisfy this

requirement) or

b. The SHSU SOCI Graduate Student conference (held each fall/spring semester with

both face-to-face and virtual options for attendance).

3. Teaching demonstration [for teaching portfolio]: Students must partner with either their

faculty mentor or the Director of Graduate Studies to schedule a teaching demonstration

(e.g., either in person or online) that:

a. Corresponds to a relevant course for one of their two syllabi and

b. Involves at least 20 minutes of formal, instruction content

Substantive Areas for Capstone Project (for systematic review of research):

1. Social Inequality

2. Health and Well-Being

3. Community, Food, and the Environment

Capstone Project Eligibility

Students must have successfully (1) completed core course requirements (with a B or higher), (2)

finished a minimum of 25 credit hours (four elective courses in addition to core), and (3) identified

and articulated preferences for a capstone project and substantive area of specialization (in order to

paired with a faculty mentor).

Students are responsible to initiate their involvement with the capstone project on their

satisfying the eligibility requirements noted above. To initiate this process, they must email the

Director of Graduate Studies to articulate (1) their preference for either the Systematic Review of

Scholarship or the Teaching Portfolio (both requirements are discussed in detail below) and (2)

their substantive area of interest (i.e., “Social Inequality”, “Health and Well-Being”, or

“Community, Food, and the Environment”) if they intend to complete a systematic review of

research.

On receiving this email, the Director of Graduate Studies will begin the process of identifying an

eligible mentor to guide the student through the Capstone Project Requirements.

Core Required Courses (13 credit hours) These courses are required for all students.

SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology

SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

Elective Courses (24 hours)

Each student must select eight of the elective courses (listed below). Students may use up to 6

credits from graduate courses outside of the Sociology department to fulfill this requirement

SOCI 5099: Graduate Readings in Sociology

SOCI 5313: Qualitative Research Methods

SOCI 5333: Sociology of Religion

SOCI 5319: Sociological Entrepreneurship

SOCI 5337: Gender and Society

SOCI 5320: Sociology of Community

SOCI 5321: Cultural Sociology

SOCI 5322: Medical Sociology

SOCI 5324: Social Chand and Development

SOCI 5325: Sociology of Food and Society

SOCI 5331: Sociology of the Family

SOCI 5338: Sociology of Disaster

SOCI 5351: Seminar in Environmental Sociology

SOCI 5353: Seminar in Race and Ethnic

Studies

SOCI 5355: Seminar in Social Inequality

SOCI 5380: Social Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation

SOCI 5386: Sociology of Aging

SOCI 5378: Techniques of Research Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences

SOCI 6360: Seminar in Sociology SOCI

Systematic Review of Scholarship

A successful systematic review must meet each of these criteria:

1. Identify a reasonable, sociological topic of interest (falling within one of the three

substantive areas).

2. Develop and defend systematic search criteria for selection of relevant, peer-reviewed

papers.

3. Construct a thematic review of at least 40 recent peer-reviewed publications (primarily from

sociological journals) satisfying the search criteria.

4. The written paper should at minimum be 25 double-spaced pages (excluding title page,

summary tables (if appropriate), and works cited pages):

a. Thematic review of key findings in substantive area

b. Brief summary of notable, recent developments

c. Critical evaluation of research and knowledge in the substantive area

d. Call for future research to address noteworthy gaps in research

e. Implications for policy and practice

Teaching Portfolio

A successful teaching portfolio must meet each of these criteria:

1. Written reflection that discusses recent developments in scholarship on teaching and

learning in sociology (at least 20 citations) and uses these citations to articulate one’s

teaching style and overarching approach to instruction. This document should be 8-10 pages

double-spaced (excluding title and works cited page).

2. Formal, polished teaching philosophy (one page, single-spaced).

3. Complete course syllabi for Introduction to Sociology and an elective sociology course of the

student’s preference. Syllabi must (at minimum) include: (1) course goals, (2) learning

objectives, (3) required text/readings, (4) assignments/assessments, (5) grading criteria, and

(6) a tentative schedule (based on SHSU’s academic calendar for given Fall/Spring semester).

4. Written discussion of 15 foundational scholarly pieces in the area of research that

corresponds to their substantive elective course. The discussion must demonstrate how

these pieces informed the course design. This document should be 8-10 pages double-

spaced (excluding title and works cited page).

5. Develop at least four assignments or in-class exercises. Each assignment/exercise should

include: (1) detailed instructions to be presented to students, (2) stated learning outcomes,

and (3) a technical approach (and defense) for formal evaluation. Create at least two active

learning opportunities to reinforce course content (at least one for each course). Student

must present a written rationale for the selection of the activity and document specific

learning outcomes for each activity.

6. Create a detailed lesson plan for one 75-minute class in each course. It should be specific

enough that another instructor could use it to teach the class.

7. Give a 20-30 minute, virtual teaching demonstration based on one of the lesson plans

created.

Satisfactory Progress: Capstone Project Degree Plan

Standards are cumulative: Meeting the standard for any semester requires having satisfied any

unmet criteria from previous semesters. Semester counts do not include summer. Students

who earn a failing grade of F in any courses while in residence will be terminated from

graduate studies.

End of first semester

1. Completed at least one of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

2. Completed a minimum of 6 credit hours that count toward M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses

End of second semester

1. Completed at least four of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5100: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

e. SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

2. Completed a minimum of 13 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses

End of third semester

1. Completed all of the core classes.

2. Completed a minimum of 19 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

3. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate courses

End of fourth semester

1. Completed a minimum of 25 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

a. Reach out to the Director of Graduate Studies to initiate the Capstone Project.

2. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate courses.

End of the fifth semester

1. Completed a minimum of 31 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

2. Achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate courses.

End of sixth semester

1. Successfully completed Capstone Project.

2. Successfully completed capstone project presentation.

3. Completed a minimum of 37 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

Graduate Course Descriptions

SOCI 5100. Proseminar in Sociology

Students prepare for graduate studies in sociology and are provided with the tools and resources

to be successful graduate students. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 1.

SOCI 5099 Graduate Readings in Sociology

Independent study of subjects not covered in the regular graduate curricula, including

independent study of particular value to students needing to pursue a special subject related to

thesis. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and Graduate Director. Credit 1-

SOCI 5310 Seminar in Sociological Theory

The course is a historical survey of the most significant 19th and 20th century developments in

sociology with emphasis placed on the relevance of classic sociological theory in the formation

and development of contemporary sociological theory. The characteristics and origins of major

sociological schools are explored including the study of the works and ideas of Emile Durkheim,

Karl Marx and Max Weber. Additionally, illustrations of the basic assumptions of Neo-Marxism,

Critical Theory, Interactionism, Functionalism and Postmodernism are provided. Accounts of these

paradigms are presented together with their theoretical ramifications. Prerequisites: Graduate

standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5312 Seminar in Sociological Research

This course includes the advanced study of logic, principles, and procedures involving

techniques of design data collection and organization, analyses and interpretation for

qualitative and quantitative sociological research. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit

SOCI 5313 Qualitative Research Methods

This course will introduce students to a wide range of qualitative sociological methods. The

course is designed to give students practical skills collecting, analyzing, and writing qualitative

research. Students will learn the basics of scientific interviewing, participant observation, and

content analysis. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5314 Social Statistics

This course focuses upon various statistical techniques used to analyze survey data including

descriptive and inferential statistics, cross tabulation, ANOVA, correlation and regression.

Lectures, assigned readings and projects are used to describe and illustrate the logic,

interpretation, and assumptions of each statistical model. Emphasis is placed upon understanding

of the techniques and their assumptions as well as applications. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Credit 3.

SOCI 5319 Sociological Entrepreneurship

This course examines the role of the entrepreneur in modern society, and how modern society

influences entrepreneurship in communities, regions, and nations. In this course, students

challenge and debate the role of the entrepreneur, and will seek to understand how a variety of

social and psychological forces shape not only entrepreneurial action, but also how society acts to

enhance or inhibit entrepreneurship. Students become familiar with topics including

entrepreneurial risk, opportunity, innovation, and social entrepreneurship, and critically examine

how entrepreneurial behavior changes across social boundaries like race, gender, and culture.

Students emerge from the course having learned a variety of techniques for supporting

entrepreneurs and stimulating entrepreneurial action in the public sphere. Prerequisite: Graduate

standing. Credit 3

SOCI 5320 Sociology of Community

This course is an advanced study of the organization, structures, groups and interaction pertaining

to communities. Attention is given to social forces within communities, patterns of change and the

relationship with society. Alternative theoretical perspectives analyzing community are presented

along with views on the current conditions and future perspectives of communities in the United

States and in other regions of the world. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5321 Cultural Sociology

This course examines culture from the sociological perspective, forms and modifications of culture,

its elements and the hierarchy, events and artifacts in their relation to the social structure and

social change. The course takes students through the classic and modern theories of culture,

introduces them to major sociological methods of cultural analysis, and helps them learn to

apply the theories and to analyze a variety of socio-cultural phenomena, such as inequality, social

emotion, gender, and health. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5322 Seminar in Medical Sociology

This course provides graduate students with the conceptual and substantive knowledge of the

field of medical sociology. The course focuses on salient sociological issues in health and

medicine, such as the social construction of health and illness, social inequalities in health and

health care, medicalization, the health profession, the health care system, and bioethics. Special

attention is paid to the roles of social, cultural, and institutional factors in understanding health

and health care issues in the United States and in other countries. Prerequisite: Graduate

Standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5324 Seminar in Social Change and Development

A graduate seminar which investigates the origins and modern accounts of the major theories of

social change and development. Beginning with the classic works of Marx, Weber and Durkheim,

contemporary theories of economic and social development are investigated. Emphasis is placed

on various understandings of the concept of development and analyses of the evolution of social

change and relations under capitalism. The course will explore NeoMarxist theories of

Dependence, World Systems and Articulation of Modes of Production along with Neo-Weberian

and Modernization theories. Additionally, a review of post-modern critiques of capitalist

development is presented. The Seminar will conclude with some observations on the emerging

globalization of society and its implications on social and economic institutions. Prerequisites:

Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5325 Sociology of Food and Society

This course sociologically examines the production, distribution, and consumption of food. In

particular, the focus is on the analysis of the contemporary food system. Through this class,

students learn to critically analyze issues surrounding food and society through a sociological

lens. Prerequisite: Graduate standing: Credit 3.

SOCI 5331 Sociology of the Family

This course consists of the study of the family as a social institution. It begins with a traditional

functional analysis of the institution and follows with critical and interactionist interpretations

of the family. Current changes in the institution using historical and global perspectives

constitute the bulk of the course. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5333 Sociology of Religion

This course is a study of religion as it operates in society. It examines religious beliefs, religious

rituals, group religious experience, and the religious community. Using a crosscultural

perspective, the course investigates the roots of religion in non-industrial societies and follows

with an analysis of religion in industrial societies. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5337 Gender and Society

The course focuses on the social construction of gender and provides students a framework for

critical thinking concerning gender roles in contemporary U.S. society. The course uses a socio-

historical approach to investigate the concept of gender and its relationship to sexuality.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5338 Sociology of Disaster

This course is designed to apply sociological analyses to the investigation of disasters. Disasters

will be examined in terms of their origins and social impacts. The course will also explore the

social dynamics that create risk of, and vulnerability to, disasters. Prerequisites: Graduate

standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5351 Seminar in Environmental Sociology

This course is designed to provide graduate students a thorough background in the major

theoretical perspectives regarding environmental sociology. This background will enable

students to view environmental issues from alternative positions and to formulate possible

solutions to contemporary environmental problems. The course focuses on the social

construction of the environment and on environmental problems and solutions. Prerequisites:

Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5353 Seminar in Race and Ethnic Studies

In-depth examination and critique of important monographs and journal literature dealing with

the social life of American minorities. Designed to promote mature scholarship in the study of

literature drawing from influences, ideologies, structural forces and changes characteristic of the

social life of comparative minority groups. Students will be responsible for identifying sociological

propositions reflected in the discerned patterns of interaction occurring in selected institutions in

contemporary American society. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5355 Seminar in Social Inequality

This course studies contemporary class, status and power hierarchies with emphasis on empirical

research pertaining to placement in these hierarchies on the basis of birth, achieved statuses

such as sex, race, and class origin. Consideration is also given to contemporary and classical

sociological theories of social inequality. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5376 Applied Research Methods

This course studies specialized research methods including evaluation research and social needs

assessments for sociology and related social sciences. These methods vary from the more

common survey techniques by the nature of the unit of analysis (most often a case study), the

types of data collection (interviews, focus groups, and existing data), and the analytical

techniques used (more qualitative). Generally, these techniques are applied to the solution of

community problems. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5378 Techniques of Research Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a critical understanding of the principal

technical and theoretical skills necessary for the development of research projects in the social

sciences. Furthermore, it investigates the primary assumptions of qualitative and quantitative

research stressing their scopes and limits. Through an examination of the epistemological

characteristics of major paradigms in the social sciences, the course illustrates various analytical

techniques necessary for the preparation of research proposals. This activity includes techniques

for the identification of research questions, the development of justifications, the integration of

theories and methods, and the development of analytic designs. This is a course specifically

designed for students who would like to be involved in research grant writing and in conducting

research. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5380 Social Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation

This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of social impact assessment and

program evaluation. This course explores basic knowledge, as well as technical skills, related to

conducting a social impact assessment and program evaluation. Attention is also given to hands-

on experience in the form of a group activity or an individual project covering a practical

case study in the field. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 5386 Sociology of Aging

This course explores sociological theories of aging and old age from historical, demographic,

comparative, social psychological and structural perspectives. It also focuses on current

gerontology issues. Particular attention is given to investigating the similarities and differences

among aging ethnic groups, as well as those with different social and human capital.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Credit 3.

SOCI 6098 Thesis Practicum

Students are encouraged to initiate planning and formulation of approved problems in

conjunction with course work in Methods and Theory. Prerequisites: 24 graduate credits and

consent of advisor. Credit 1-3.

SOCI 6099 Thesis

The completion and accepted defense of Thesis. The student must be registered in SOC 6099 the

semester in which the master’s degree is to be completed. Prerequisites: Graduate standing

and consent of advisor. Credit 1-3.

SOCI 6360 Seminar in Sociology

This seminar is designed to provide an examination and study of substantive areas and/or

sociological significant issues not covered in other departmental offerings. Particular attention

is on current literature presented in the context of papers and discussion. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. Credit 3.

Matriculation Timelines:

2-Year Matriculation Timeline: Capstone Project Degree Plan

The following guidelines reflect optimal scheduling of coursework for students wishing to

graduate in two academic years (4 semesters) under the Capstone Project Degree Plan. Students

should utilize these guidelines under the advisement of the Director of Graduate Studies. Note

that this timeline does not include summer instruction. Summer coursework will reduce

semester course loads specified in this timeline.

End of first semester

1. Completed at least two of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5310: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

2. Completed a minimum of 9 credit hours that count toward M.A.

End of second semester

1. Completed at least four of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5310: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

e. SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

2. Completed a minimum of 19 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

End of third semester

1. Completed a minimum of 28 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

2. Successfully begun the Capstone Project requirement.

End of fourth semester

1. Successfully completed Capstone Project requirement.

2. Completed the presentation component of the Capstone Requirement.

3. Completed a minimum of 37 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

2-Year Matriculation Timeline: Thesis Degree Plan

The following guidelines reflect optimal scheduling of coursework for students wishing to

graduate in three academic years (4 semesters) under the Thesis Degree Plan. Students should

utilize these guidelines under the advisement of the Director of Graduate Studies. Note that

this timeline does not include summer instruction. Summer coursework will reduce semester

course loads specified in this timeline.

End of first semester

1. Completed at least two of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5310: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

2. Completed a minimum of 9 credit hours that count toward M.A.

End of second semester

1. Completed at least four of the following Core Required courses:

a. SOCI 5310: Proseminar in Sociology

b. SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

c. SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research d.

SOCI 5314: Social Statistics

e. SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

2. Completed a minimum of 19 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

End of third semester

1. Successfully completed SOCI 6098: Thesis Practicum

2. Completed a minimum of 31 credit hours that count toward the M.A.

End of fourth semester

1. Successfully completed SOCI 6099: Thesis

2. Completed a minimum of 37 credit hours that count toward the M.A

Part III: Graduate Certificate Programs in Sociology

In addition to the traditional M.A. in Sociology, the department houses two graduate certificate

programs. These certificate programs only require the successful completion of specified

curriculum (noted below) while remaining in good academic standing.

Graduate Certificate in Sociology (18 credit hours)

Students must complete 9 hours of core coursework:

SOCI 5310: Seminar in Sociological Theory

SOCI 5312: Seminar in Sociological Research

SOCI 5355: Seminar in Social Inequality

In addition to the core requirements, students must select three of the following electives:

SOCI 5319: Sociological Entrepreneurship

SOCI 5320: Sociology of Community

SOCI 5322: Medical Sociology

SOCI 5324: Social Chand and Development

SOCI 5325: Sociology of Food and Society

SOCI 5331: Sociology of the Family

SOCI 5333: Sociology of Religion

SOCI 5337: Gender and Society

SOCI 5338: Sociology of Disaster

SOCI 5351: Seminar in Environmental Sociology

SOCI 5353: Seminar in Race and Ethnic

Studies

SOCI 5386: Sociology of Aging

Graduate Certificate in Community Development (15 credit hours)

Students must complete 9 hours of core coursework:

SOCI 5320: Sociology of Community

Either SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods or SOCI 5378: Techniques-Research Proposal

Writing

SOCI 5380: Social Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation

In addition to the core requirements, students must select two of the following electives:

SOCI 5319: Sociology of Entrepreneurship

SOCI 5322: Seminar in Medical Sociology

SOCI 5338: Sociology of Disasters

SOCI 5351: Seminar in Environmental Sociology

SOCI 5376: Applied Research Methods

SOCI 5378: Techniques-Research Proposal Writing

Part IV: Graduate Student Resources

Graduate Assistantships

The Department of Sociology offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to students who

have been admitted to the Graduate Program. Assistantships pay a semester stipend for and are

awarded based on qualifications. Out-of-state assistantships are available in some cases. Graduate

assistants work closely with professors in teaching and/or research activity and are appointed on a

semester-by-semester basis.

Students seeking assistantships must submit a formal application for each semester. The

Director of Graduate Studies will email a formal call for (1) Fall graduate assistants in July and

(2) Spring graduate assistant positions in December of every year. That email will include the

application form and instructions for submitting the completed application.

Assistantship Obligations:

Graduate assistantships provide the opportunity for students to work with faculty members.

Graduate students receiving departmental support are expected to actively engage in

departmental research and/or perform services assisting professors’ instruction. Assistantships

require that the student be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. Audited courses

do not count toward assistantship credit hour levels.

Each semester (Fall and Spring), all half-time assistants are expected to be available and

perform services related to teaching and/or research for an average of 20 hours per week; and

10 hours per week for students on a quarter time assistantship. A graduate assistant may accept

concurrent employment outside the University only with permission from the Director of

Graduate Studies.

Students responsibilities may include assisting faculty with teaching and/or research tasks.

Teaching tasks may include grading, roster management, data entry, providing student

feedback, research, note-taking, PowerPoint development, and facilitating discussion. Research

responsibilities may include literature reviews, data gathering, analysis, and presentation and

article writing.

Graduate assistantships are prohibited from concluding personal tasks for faculty members.

NOTE: Faculty with grant funds may support summer assistantships or wage payroll positions for

graduate students.

Standards of Professional Conduct for Graduate Assistants

As employees of Sam Houston State University and the State of Texas, and as representatives of

the Department of Sociology, graduate assistants must comply with the rules of professional

conduct and ethical behavior to which all other faculty and staff are bound, including FERPA and

Title IX regulations. While the Chair of the Department of Sociology and the immediate

supervisors of graduate assistants try to make reasonable accommodations for GAs, graduate

assistants are employees who, like all other Sociology faculty and staff, must comply with

assignment schedules.

If graduate assistants are any issues with their appointment or assigned tasks, contact the

Director of Graduate Studies.

Grounds for Dismissal:

Gross violation of University policy, criminal violation of Texas state and United States federal

laws, and or failure to comply with workload expectations will result in dismissal from the

graduate assistantship, either by non-renewal of the assistantship appointment at the end of the

semester or immediate dismissal.

Dismissible offenses include but are not limited to the following:

• Clear violations of ethical conduct, including violations of confidentiality

• Failure to fulfill teaching duties, tutoring obligations, and research assignments

• Unwillingness and/or failure to respond to supervision or remediation

• Misrepresentation of credentials

• Conviction for academic dishonesty in classwork

• Failure to maintain academic good standing

A student's assistantship may be terminated for a variety of reasons, some of which are beyond the

control of the student. Teaching and research assistants are expected to maintain academic

standing of GPA of 3.0 or above, obtain grades of A or B in each class they take, possess high levels

of academic integrity, and perform their assistantship duties responsibly. Failure to meet these

criteria may be considered grounds for assistantship termination. Assistantships may also be

terminated because of financial and/or bureaucratic exigencies of the Department and/or the

University.

Student Employee Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Obligations

As employees of Sam Houston State University, Sociology graduate assistants must observe all

regulations mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. For more

information about this act, see the following link: FERPA .

Security and confidentiality are matters of concern to all offices and all persons who have access to

office facilities. The Office of the Registrar is the official repository for student academic records,

folders, and other files for Sam Houston State University. As a student employer, many offices are

able to extend job opportunities and work experience to supplement students’ finances and

education. In so doing, the student employee is placed in a unique position of trust since a major

responsibility of offices is the security and confidentiality of student records and files. Since

conduct either on or off the job could affect or threaten the security and confidentiality of this

information, each student employee is expected to adhere to the following:

• No one may make or permit unauthorized use of any information in files maintained,

stored, or processed by the office in which they are employed.

• No one is permitted to seek personal benefit or to allow others to benefit personally by

knowledge of any confidential information which has come to them by virtue of their work

assignment.

• No one is to exhibit or divulge the contents of any record or report to any person except in

the conduct of their work assignment and in accordance with University policies and

procedures.

• No one may knowingly include, or cause to be included, in any record or report a false,

inaccurate, or misleading entry. No one may knowingly expunge, or cause to be expunged,

in any record or report a data entry.

• No official record or report, or copy thereof, may be removed from the office where it is

maintained except in the performance of a person’s duties.

• No one is to aid, abet, or act in conspiracy with another to violate any part of this code.

• Any knowledge of a violation must be immediately reported to the person’s supervisor.

Title IX

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be

denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity

receiving Federal financial assistance." Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal

law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. Sam Houston State University complies with Title

IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the

basis of sex in educational programs or activities; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII),

which prohibits sex discrimination in employment; and the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act.

Sexual misconduct, as defined in the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, constitutes a form of

sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX and Title VII. For complete information, go to

http://www.shsu.edu/titleix/.

Scholarships

A number of scholarships are available for graduate students. Scholarships are awarded annually

each Spring, and are distributed over two semesters (Fall and Spring) contingent upon full-time

enrollment (a minimum of 9 hours per semester) and excellent academic standing. Please see

the department website and Sociology Graduate Program Webpage for application information.

All students must have a profile in Scholarship4Kats to be eligible for scholarships.

Available scholarships:

1. The Ramsey Woods Scholarship: Available to full-time graduate students in Sociology. Preference

is given to students with interests in Rural Sociology or Inequality. Awarded annually (for Fall and

Spring semesters) on the basis of academic accomplishments and interest.

2. The Ruth A. De Blanc Scholarship: Available to full-time graduate students in Sociology. Awarded

annually (for Fall and Spring semesters) on the basis of financial needs and academic

accomplishments.

3. Dan and Donna Beto Sociology Scholarship: Awarded to full-time undergraduate or graduate

student (with preference to graduate students) majoring in Sociology. Student must be in good

standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to students with an interest in areas of

Social Control, Deviance, or Inequality. Financial need may be a consideration, but not a determining

factor.

4. Prince Sociology Scholarship: Awarded to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student majoring

in Sociology. The student must be in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Financial need may

be a consideration, but not a determining factor.

5. Walter & Minnie Bennett Scholarship: Awarded to full-time undergraduate or graduate student

majoring in Sociology. Preference is given to students with interests in marriage & the family or

community. Student must be in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have completed 9

credit hours in Sociology at SHSU. Financial need may be a consideration.

University and Graduate School scholarships are also available.

SHSU Academic Resources

The Academic Success Center

The Sam Houston Academic Success Center for Reading and Writing serves all members of the

SHSU academic community. The center provides one-on-one instruction for reading and writing

and assists students of all level in composition of their written work. The center assists students

in constructing arguments, organizing papers, identifying and correcting grammatical errors,

teaching proofreading techniques, and generally improving their writing style. The writing

center also provides ASA style guides and online tutoring. All sociology graduate students at

SHSU are encouraged to utilize the Academic Success Center to enhance their writing

capacities. The Academic Success Center can be contacted at

http://www.shsu.edu/centers/academic-success-center/

Newton Gresham Library

Newton Gresham Library faculty and staff envision a library that supports and enhances the

development of critically thinking, educated and informed lifelong learners. The Library is

integral to the University's learning and research mission and endeavors to create physical

and virtual environments that promote discovery of new knowledge and the transfer of

existing knowledge. The Library fulfills this mission by providing organized access to a diverse

array of quality print, electronic, and other resources and by continuously improving the

effectiveness of its bibliographic, instructional, and reference services.

The library offers an inventory of physical and electronic media that graduate students are

required to access during the course of their academic studies. The library offers a number of

resources for distance learning students. These include the Interlibrary Loan services,

electronic journal access, TexShare, and access to electronic databases. A full inventory of

library resources for distance is available at http://library.shsu.edu/services/distance/.

SHSU Online

SHSU online offers a variety of resources for student enrolled in online classes. These include

technical support for problems with online videos, course tools or features, issues with Internet

browsers and other problems associated with an online learning environment. The SHSU Online

support desk is available via email at blackboard@shsu.edu or via phone at (877)759-2232. For

more information regarding resources available to online students visit SHSU Student

Resources at http://distance.shsu.edu/current-students/resources.html.

Students with Disabilities

The University and Students with Disabilities have certain rights and responsibilities related to

receiving, providing, and determining reasonable accommodations, the purpose of which is to

provide students with disabilities equal access to educational and student support services

offered by the University. Students with disabilities should contact the Office for Students

with Disabilities at http://www.shsu.edu/dept/disability/.

PART V: FORMS AND CHECKLISTS

Appointment

Thesis/Dissertation Committee

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department:

The following members of the department listed above are appointed to serve as members of a

Thesis Committee:

Title (Ex. “Thesis Director”) Name

* Please notify the Dean’s office if the

Thesis/Dissertation

Committee changes for any reason by processing another

“Appointment

Thesis/Dissertation Committee” form.

Candidate:

Sam ID:

Proposed Topic:

Approvals:

Graduate Advisor Date

Chair Date

Dean, College of Humanities & Social Sciences Date

Thesis/Dissertation

Prospectus

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Candidate:

Degree Candidate is seeking:

Proposed Topic:

Please attach a copy of the Thesis/Dissertation Prospectus as required by your department. Please

see department instructions for preparation of your prospectus.

Thesis/Dissertation Committee Approval:

Printed Name Signature

Graduate Advisor Date

Chair Date

Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Date

Thesis/Dissertation Defense

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

4-10-14

Date:

Department:

Student’s Name:

SamID:

Graduating Semester:

A Thesis/Dissertation Defense was administered on , 20 , at

Date

. Time

The examining committee consisted of the following members: Printed

Name Signature

Title:

Grading on Thesis/Dissertation Defense:

(Please list results of Thesis/Dissertation Defense: Pass/Fail)

Graduate Advisor Date

Department Chair Date

Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Date

The following chart lists important deadlines and requirements relating to the submission of theses

and dissertations as shown on the Academic Calendar, and includes explanations of what you need

to accomplish by those dates.

See Academic

Calendar for date.

1st draft review

Last Day to Submit

Draft

Thesis/Dissertation

to Library for First

Format and Style

Review.

What this means for you:

By this date, Email a draft of your document to

[email protected] so that we may look over it for any

formatting or copyright issues.

Please provide the following information when submitting:

• Phone and email contact info.

• Name of the style guide you're using.

• If you are working on a Journal Model manuscript,

provide:

o a copy of the journal's instructions for the

author

o 3 recently published articles from that

journal.

See Journal Model instructions to make sure you

really are creating a Journal Model document. If your

document does not meet the journal-ready criteria,

then you should use one of the SHSU approved style

manuals.

Using the Document Checklist will help make the review

process faster and easier.

See Academic

Calendar for date.

Defense

Last Day to Complete

a Public Defense of

the

Thesis/Dissertation.

What this means for you:

You should defend in front of your committee no later than

this date.

Once your committee has signed off on your document,

submit an Electronic Route Sheet. Once submitted, the route

sheet automatically forwards to the next person whose

approval is required.

Last Day to Submit

Letter Requesting A

Permanent Embargo

to the Dean of

Graduate Studies.

➢ A note on embargoes: “Embargo” means that a

publisher waits a certain amount of time before actually

publishing a work. For instance, a 1-year embargo

means that a publisher will wait one year before

publishing something.

SHSU is offering a Permanent Embargo for those rare

students whose work cannot be published within two

years’ time. For instance, students who are writing

books that may get published by large publishers. Since

it takes years for these items to get published, we will

allow them to permanently embargo their thesis or

dissertation, thereby providing ample opportunity to

successfully publish with a large and profitable

company.

This also applies to students who are seeking patents or

whose research is funded by outside entities who do

not want the work published.

Talk to your Advisor, and if any of these scenarios

applies to you, then refer to the document entitled

Steps for Permanent Embargo found on the Faculty

Resources tab of the Thesis & Dissertation web site:

http://www.shsulibraryguides.org/thesisguide/faculty

See Academic

Calendar for date.

2nd Draft Review

Last Day to Submit

Defended and

Approved

Thesis/Dissertation

to Library for Second

Format and Style

Review

What this means for you:

By this date, you need to email the committee-approved

document back to [email protected] for a second format

review.

All parts of the document should be complete,

and contain all approved edits as requested by

your committee and Advisor.

We will again look over it for formatting issues that may have

occurred during the post-defense editing process. At this

point, our goal is to finalize the document and get it published

into the SHSU Institutional Repository through the Vireo

system.

No more edits may be made to the document once it has

been approved by a reviewer and submitted to Vireo for

publication.

Using the Document Checklist will help make the review

process faster and easier.

Committee signatures on the Approval page:

• Physical signatures are not required in the published

document; HOWEVER, some Departments do require

that students acquire signatures as part of their

departmental procedures. CHECK WITH YOUR

COLLEGE DEPARTMENT ON THEIR PROCEDURES.

See Academic

Calendar for date.

Publication & Route

Sheet

Last Day to Complete

Publication of

Thesis/Dissertation

Through Vireo (or in

Print for Permanent

Embargo Students).

Last Day to Submit

Electronic Route

Sheet to the Director

of the Library.

What this means for you:

By this date, your document should have completed the 2

format review and be submitted for publication through the

Vireo system.

Once submitted into the Vireo system, the following occurs:

➢ Thesis Clerk checks the submission for technical

errors.

➢ Student’s Advisor is required to approve both the

student’s submission and their embargo choices.

Vireo Faculty Instructions can be found here:

http://www.shsulibraryguides.org/thesisguide/faculty

As soon as the submission is approved by both the Thesis

Clerk and the student’s Advisor, then the document’s status is

updated to Pending Publication. At the same time, the

Library Director will approve the Electronic Route Sheet,

sending it on to the Office of Graduate Studies.

All theses and dissertations are officially published at the end

of the semester.

Printing and Binding:

The Newton Gresham Library is no longer involved in the

printing and binding of theses and dissertations (except for

Permanent Embargo students). Students should contact their

departments and committee members to find out if copies

are required.

Use the following link for a list of companies that will print

and bind your document if needed:

http://shsulibraryguides.org/thesisguide/printing_binding

Permanent Embargo students should have contacted the

university’s Press and made arrangements for printing

physical copies of their manuscripts. These copies should be

at the Library by this date.

See Academic

Calendar for date.

Binding

Last Day to Submit

Electronic Route

Sheet to the Dean of

Graduate Studies

(Thesis/Dissertation)

What this means for you:

Before this date, your thesis/dissertation should have been

published through Vireo and the Route Sheet signed off on by

the Library Director.

This is the last day that the Dean of Graduate Studies will sign

off on Route Sheets for graduation.

Appendix A

Evaluation for Systematic Review of Scholarship

Student Name:

Reviewer Name:

Exceeds

Expectations

Meets

Expectations

Does not meet

Expectations

Selection and presentation of search criteria

Summary of literature

Thematic organization of literature

Critical evaluation of scholarly developments

Call for future research on existing gaps in research

Implications for policy and practice

Quality of writing (grammar, style, and organization)

To successfully complete the capstone project, the majority of reviewers (including the mentor’s evaluation) must agree that

the student at minimum “meets expectations” on each item provided in the rubric above.

Evaluation of Teaching Portfolio

Student Name:

Reviewer Name:

Exceeds

Expectations

Meets

Expectations

Does not meet

Expectations

Reflection on developments in sociological scholarship on

teaching and learning

Presentation of peer-reviewed research and specific course

learning objectives (informed by recent research)

Formal teaching philosophy

Syllabus for Introduction to Sociology

Two assignments for SOCI 101

One active learning exercise for SOCI 101

Lesson plan for 75-minute class in SOCI 101

Syllabus for substantive elective

Two assignments for substantive elective

One active learning exercise for substantive elective

Lesson plan for 75-minute class in substantive elective

Quality of writing (grammar, style, and organization)

To successfully complete the capstone project, the majority of reviewers (including the mentor’s evaluation) must agree that

the student at minimum “meets expectations” on each item provided in the rubric above.