Department of Sociology

Sociology Bachelor's + Master's

The Sociology Bachelor's + Master's pathway into the Non-Thesis Master's Degree program allows current PSU Sociology majors to complete a Master's degree in as little as five years. Students admitted into the Sociology B+M program are able to take up to 20 credit hours of approved 500-level course work as an undergraduate, at an undergraduate tuition rate*, and apply the credits to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.  

The B+M pathway leads to a terminal non-thesis master's degree. Students interested in a PhD in Sociology should not apply to the Non-Thesis M.S. program; rather, students should apply to Sociology PhD programs in the fall of their final year of undergraduate course work. 

Course Requirements for the Non-Thesis Master's in Sociology Degree

Soc 590 Social Research Strategies

Soc 591 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Soc 592 Qualitative Methods

Soc 593 Quantitative Methods

Soc 537 Qualitative Data Analysis

Soc 695 Advanced Quantitative Methods

Soc 507 Professionalization Seminar

Five graduate level electives

Total credits

4 credits

4

4

4

4

4

1

20

45

Admissions Criteria

  • Declared PSU Sociology major with a junior or senior standing who has completed (or is currently enrolled in ) SOC 200, SOC 396 or Stats 243, SOC 397, and SOC 398
  • 3.5 GPA for PSU Sociology courses, 3.3 PSU GPA

Steps to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Current PSU undergraduate sociology majors can apply to the Non-Thesis M.S. via the B+M pathway as follows:

Attend information session (or watch information session video).

Complete Advising Appointment

You must meet with either Kris Lucht Adams (socadvising@pdx.edu) or Ben Alberts (balberts@pdx.edu). Review with these advisors whether or not the admission criteria are met before completing the initial application process. 

Complete Application

  • Complete an initial application which includes:
    • The date of the advising meeting with Kris Lucht Adams or Ben Alberts. Note: Initial applications will not be reviewed without a meeting with Kris or Ben.
    • The names of two PSU Sociology instructors who have agreed to support the application. Students may list any instructors they have taken a sociology course with at PSU. Note: See the list of instructors on the department website (note that not all instructors are listed here). The Graduate Committee will confirm with instructors that they support the application so students should ensure that they email or meet with the instructors prior to submitting this form.
    • A description of the applicant’s career goals. Note that the Sociology B+M program prepares graduates for social science research careers in government, the non-profit sector, and private industry. The B+M is a terminal non-thesis Master's degree. Students interested in a Ph.D. in Sociology should not apply to the B+M program; rather, students should apply to Sociology Ph.D. programs in the fall of their final year of undergraduate coursework.  

Eligibility

The Sociology Department will determine eligibility for the B+M program (based on a review of the initial application, standing (e.g., junior, senior), GPAs, and coursework). The Department will notify the applicant via email whether or not we have accepted the initial application. If the initial application is accepted, an invitation to participate in the B+M program will be forthcoming and graduate level coursework may begin.

The term prior to the applicant’s Bachelor’s graduation, the applicant will submit a formal application to the program Sociology, M.S. – Bachelor’s plus Master’s. The application fee will be waived. 

For more information, email socadvising@pdx.edu to set up an appointment. 

B+M FAQ's

  1. Am I eligible to complete the initial application? You are eligible to complete the initial application if you:
    • Are a declared PSU Sociology major
    • Have Junior or senior standing
    • Have Completed (or are enrolled in) SOC 200, SOC 396 or Stats 243, SOC 397, and SOC 398
    • Have a 3.5 GPA for PSU Sociology courses and a 3.3 PSU GPA
    • Have attended an info session (or watched recording of one)
    • Have completed an advising appointment with Kris Adams or Ben Alberts and they have confirmed you meet the criteria to apply
       
  2. Do I need to take the GREs? You do not need to take the GREs in order to be accepted into the B+M program at PSU.
     
  3. When will I take graduate-level courses? You would begin enrolling in graduate level courses during your 4th year of undergraduate study (or earlier if you complete all required undergraduate coursework early). You are allowed to count 20 graduate-level credits towards your Bachelor’s degree.
    • Years 1-3: 156 credits (average of 4 courses per term for 9 terms) including FRINQ, SINQ, Junior Cluster, Foreign Language, Science/Math, Electives, and all sociology major requirements. Students may need to take summer courses.
    • Year 4: 24 credits (4 undergraduate, 20 graduate) bringing the total to the 180 needed for a Bachelor’s degree. The 20 graduate credits earned will also count toward the Master’s degree.
    • Year 5: 25 graduate credits, bringing the total to 45 graduate credits for the Master’s degree. 

      *Note: For students starting in Winter or Spring term of Year 4, the timeline will be slightly adjusted.
       
  4. When can I apply? Applications are accepted with 3 annual deadlines: November 1, February 1, May 1. We recommend completing the initial application one term prior to when you hope to start taking graduate-level courses.
     
  5. Can I ask faculty other than the sociology faculty to support my application? We strongly prefer that your faculty support comes from faculty teaching sociology courses at PSU.
     
  6. What are the costs? For the year of study in which you are still an undergraduate, you will pay undergraduate rates for any graduate-level courses you take. After you complete your bachelor’s degree, you will pay graduate rates. Full details on graduate rates and fees can be found here: https://www.pdx.edu/student-finance/tuition/graduate
     
  7. Can I use financial aid for graduate studies? You can apply for financial aid for graduate studies in the same way that you would for undergraduate studies. The PSU Department of Sociology is currently unable to offer financial support for B+M students.
     
  8. What are the Requirements once I’m in the B+M? Once in the program, students must remain in accordance with the following: All courses numbered 500 must receive a grade of B or better; All undergraduate classes must receive a grade of C or better; Maintain a 3.3 or higher PSU institutional GPA; Achieve a 3.0 or higher GPA each academic term after admission to the B+M; Resolve any incomplete courses within 1 term.
     
  9. What if I decide the B+M isn’t for me after I have enrolled? Your earned graduate-level credits will still count toward your bachelor’s degree, though you will need to meet with an advisor to determine how best to use any completed 500-level courses towards your degree requirements.
     
  10. Can I take graduate-level courses before I am officially accepted into the B+M program? Students with junior or senior standing and at least a 3.5 GPA in sociology courses who have not yet completed Soc 396, 397, 398 may take graduate level electives (not methods or theory courses) that will count towards the B+M if their application is approved. These requests to enroll in graduate electives should be sent to course instructors. Approval of these requests is at the discretion of course instructors.
     
  11. What are the differences in graduate degrees in sociology? PSU offers both Master’s (MA/MS) and PhD degrees (students interested in a PhD should not apply for the B+M) In the Master’s program, you will complete coursework in theory, research methods, and your areas of interest. The Master’s typically takes two years beyond your Bachelor’s (as little as one year with B+M). With a Master’s degree, you can apply for research positions that require advanced skills and experience; you can also teach undergraduate courses at a college or university as an adjunct instructor. In the PhD program, you complete advance coursework, cultivate advanced skills in qualitative and/or quantitative methods, develop expertise in your areas of interest, publish articles in peer-reviewed journals, and complete an additional original research project for your PhD dissertation. The PhD typically takes three to five years after completing a Master’s degree. With an PhD, you can apply to be a faculty member at a college or university or work as a researcher in the public or private sector.
     
  12. This looks great, if I have a Bachelor’s degree from another university can I apply to the B+M? Only currently enrolled PSU sociology majors are eligible for this program since it uses graduate-level credits in place of upper-division undergraduate courses. If you are interested in our terminal Master’s degree, please see our main graduate studies page.
     
  13. What if I already have my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Portland State? Only currently enrolled PSU sociology majors are eligible for this program since it uses graduate-level credits in place of upper-division undergraduate courses. Even if you earned your degree at PSU, you cannot retroactively complete your undergraduate degree in a shorter timeframe. If you are interested in our terminal Master’s degree, please see our main graduate studies page.
     
  14. Can I see an example coursework plans?  See below!

Fall start

Years 1-3

156 credits (Apply for B+M  in Spring of Year 3)

Year 4

Fall: Senior Capstone, SOC 590

Winter: SOC 592, SOC 5XX

Spring: SOC 5XX, SOC 5XX, Graduate with BA/BS

Year 5

Fall: SOC 591, SOC 537,  SOC 507 (1 CR)

Winter: SOC 593, SOC 5XX

Spring: SOC 695, SOC 5XX, Graduate with MA


Winter start

Years 1-3

140 credits

Year 4

Fall: 4 UG courses, Apply for B+M

Winter: Senior Capstone, SOC 5XX,

Spring: SOC 5XX, SOC 5XX

Year 5

Fall: SOC 590, SOC 591 Graduate with BA/BS

Winter: SOC 592, SOC 593, SOC 507 (1 CR)

Spring: SOC 695, SOC 5XX

Year 6

Fall: SOC 537, SOC 5XX Graduate with MA


Spring start

Years 1-3

128 credits

Year 4

Fall: 4 UG courses

Winter: Senior Capstone, 3 UG courses, Apply for B+M

Spring: SOC 5XX, SOC 5XX

Summer: SOC 5XX

Year 5

Fall: SOC 590, SOC 591 Graduate with BA/BS

Winter: SOC 592, SOC 593

Spring: SOC 695, SOC 5XX, SOC 507 (1 CR),

Year 6

Fall: SOC 537, SOC 5XX, Graduate with MA