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Prospective Students

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master's degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in the University Catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in the last 60 units of college work and a grade-point average of 3.25 or better for all work in sociology. A minimum of 18 upper-division units in sociology is required, including the following courses or their equivalents:

  • SOCI 302 SOCI Research Methods (3)
  • SOCI 303 Statistics for the Social Sciences (3)
  • SOCI 410 Theories of Social Behavior (3)

Courses in methods, statistics and theory must have been completed within the last five years prior to application. Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant's academic potential, a statement of purpose and a writing sample must be sent to the graduate coordinator. In some cases, an interview may be required.

Students may be accepted as conditionally classified sociology majors with either course or GPA deficiencies. Deficiencies must be corrected within one year of admission to the program.
Students will be classified upon the fulfillment of the above prerequisites and after an approved study plan has been developed, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

Applying to the CSUF Sociology Program

As you consider different Master’s programs, we know great thought goes into the timeline, and submission materials. Given this, please plan accordingly to apply in the spring semester for a fall semester start date in our program as we only accepts applications in spring semesters for fall start dates.

As you think about the steps and required materials for your application to our program, please consider the below.

APPLICATION GUIDE

  • You will need to submit official copies of your transcripts from ALL of the schools you have attended (your application will be incomplete if you do not submit all transcripts, including attendance at community colleges) to Cal State Fullerton Admissions office.
  • Three letters of recommendation from letter writers who can attest to your academic and work preparation for graduate school in sociology. At least (1) letter (and preferably more) should come from a professor who can attest to your academic work.
  • A writing sample, preferably that shows sociology research writing in the form of a research paper (max 20 pages).
  • A statement of purpose, which is an intellectual biography where you speak to your preparation for a sociology graduate program specifically, where you make a fit between yourself and the department, and where you indicate your areas of interest and research in sociology.

GRADUATE APPLICATION FACT SHEET

Please visit our Graduate Advising page to schedule an appointment with our graduate advisor.

Please submit your completed application by March 1st. We will begin reviewing applications on March 1st, and we will review late applications if we still have spots available. We will not review applications that are not complete by May 1st.