Sociology Graduate Program
NMSU is located in the southern New Mexico city of Las Cruces, which is surrounded by desert mesas, the Rio Grande river valley, and the Organ Mountains. While we offer a broad sociological curriculum, two program focuses are discussed below.
- The Southwest and Border Regions - Our unique location attracts faculty who are interested in peoples of the southwest, particularly Hispanics/Latinos and American Indians. In addition, our proximity to the U.S. - Mexico border provides an ideal laboratory for the examination of such issues as globalization, transnational migration and the consequences of border development.
- Social Inequality: Our faculty examine the intersection of race, class and gender oppression in their teaching and research, with special attention to educational, rural/urban, ecological and global disparities. One goal of this examination is to address social problems such as poverty and racial/ethnic inequality.
Because this is exclusively a masters program, our faculty are able to focus on the MA students, fostering a high level of interaction, learning, and mentoring. Our goal is to prepare students both professionally and personally for their future careers. Further, our low student-to-faculty ratio allows for small seminar classes with maximum student-faculty interaction. Students are valued active participants in intellectual discussions and on research projects.
General Departmental Requirements
Graduate students in sociology have two program options, the thesis or non-thesis. The student’s special interests and career plans are considered in advising regarding their choice of program options. The thesis option is typically selected by students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree, while the non-thesis option is commonly pursued by those desiring immediate employment in research and applied areas in government, education, social welfare and health. All students must pass a final master’s oral exam, either written or oral, covering all general course work, the thesis, or internship.
Specific Requirements for each option can be found on the Program Requirements page.
For more information, email socgrad@nmsu.edu
What Sociology Students Are Saying
"One of the best things about Sociology at NMSU is that it’s a small department. This allows for a great deal of individual attention from the professors. They make you feel like an individual, not just a number."
"I came here because they allow me to pursue the research I am interested in. There is no pressure to follow any one paradigm or continue anyone’s research…"
"There are plenty of opportunities to work firsthand with professors. Almost all the Sociology students have the chance to be an assistant to a professor. This gives great firsthand research and classroom experience, plus the professors make our job challenging and fun."
"For someone who is looking for diversity, NMSU is a really great place to study. It is situated in a region where lots of different cultures can be studied, such as American Indians and Mexican Americans."
Images on this page are courtesy of Jon Williams.