Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Arts in Sociology

The Master of Arts in the field of Sociology is a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time degree.

Overview

Students can pursue a Master's in General Sociology or choose from specialized fields of study, including:

• Labour, Economic & Development Sociology
• Health Sociology Students may also opt for an MA by coursework and research report or an MA by Dissertation (research only, no coursework).

Career Opportunities

A Master's in Sociology enhances one's capacity to find employment as a professional social scientist. Career opportunities are available in:

• Social Policy
• Development Planning
• Industrial Relations
• Social Research
• Academic teaching and research A Sociology major is also sought after in fields like Law, Journalism, NGO work, Demography, Health organizations, Community work, and Government.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes courses such as:

• SOCL7050A - Advanced Research Methods: Focuses on research design and proposal writing.
• SOCL 7009A - Development as Ideology and Practice: Explores the meanings of "development" and reviews theoretical debates.
• SOCL 7010A - Economic Sociology: Institutions, Capitalism and Markets: Introduces students to main paradigms shaping modern economic policy debates.
• SOCL 7011A - Environmental Sociology: The Political Economy of Nature and Development: Examines environmental issues through various theoretical lenses.
• SOCL 7036A - Feminist Theory: Introduces key debates in Women's and Gender Studies and Feminist Theory and Politics.
• SOSS7021A Labour and Development: Analyzes the role of labour in the development process, emphasizing Southern Africa and the Global South.
• SOSS7101A Current Epidemics in South Africa: Explores the historical, social, and cultural context of global epidemics and pandemics in Africa, focusing on South Africa.
• SOCL 7048A - Labour in the Global Economy: Examines how the nature of work is changing and its implications for economic opportunity and inequality.
• SOCL 7039A - Social Transitions: A critical theory seminar exploring the foundation of sociological theory and its application to modern issues.
• SOCL 7041A - The Making of the South African Social Order: Provides an overview of 20th-century South African history and its impact on contemporary developments.
• SOCL 7042A - The Sociology of Health and Illness: Offers a systematic introduction to core concepts and debates in the Sociology of Health and Illness.
• SOCL 7043A - Sociology of Land and Agrarian Reform in Southern Africa: Equips students with knowledge to critically engage with policy debates on land and agrarian issues.

Entry Requirements

• Masters by Coursework and Research Report: Requires a Bachelor's degree with honours from Wits or another university with a 70% total mark aggregate.
• Masters by Dissertation: Requires a Bachelor's degree with honours from Wits or another university with a 70% total mark aggregate and a willing and available supervisor from Sociology.

University Application Process

Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre. Once an application is complete, it is referred to the relevant School for assessment. Additional entry requirements may apply.

University Fees and Funding

Information on current average tuition fees and payment details is available. The University also offers postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, NRF bursaries, and external bursaries.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: ACA00
• Faculty: Humanities
• School: Social Sciences
• Qualification: MA
• Duration: 1-2 years
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time
• Closing Date: 31 October