Master of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Education
Overview
Teach Sociology in Postsecondary Classrooms
Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Education degree program provides students intrigued by sociology with the opportunity to teach about our social world and society. This MS in sociology program offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences prepares students to teach undergraduate sociology courses at a two-year or four-year institution for both campus and online modalities.
This program focuses on four domains:
- Pedagogy
- Theoretical perspectives
- Stratification and social change
- Family and global perspectives
Students will develop competencies in:
- Analyzing strategies for curriculum collaboration and design, evaluating adult learning theories and recommending best practices for incorporating technology for distance learning
- Differentiating structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism with the ability to apply sociology perspectives to society issues
- Examining facets of stratification and social change, along with how these concepts affect society
- Surveying how family impacts society from various perspectives, as well as how society functions globally and among different cultures
Degree Outcomes
Lead in Sociology Education
Students evolve into critical thinkers who can analyze society structures and how society functions and changes. Graduates of the Master of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Education degree program will also be prepared to enter into a classroom as a leader skilled in clearly articulating sociology theories and aspects of the social world. GCU’s distinctive Christian worldview also plays an influential role within the program, which sheds light on how faith and Christianity affect how people socialize and interact. This further promotes values-based and ethical classroom leadership.
What You Will Learn
Connect Pedagogy with Sociology
Curriculum unique to this MS in sociology program balances sociology content with pedagogy and classroom techniques, so students learn to effectively engage their postsecondary students in the study of sociocultural perspectives, social change and sociological theories.
Course topics include:
- Classical and modern sociology theories
- Sociocultural perspective on the institution of family
- Adult learning theory and pedagogical practices
- World poverty, political order and social justice
- Social movements creating or resisting social change
- Intersection of sociology and pedagogy in the university setting
Career Outcomes
Promote the Study of Social Change and Society
Students will have the essential skills and knowledge to move their career toward teaching sociology at the postsecondary level. Along with teaching, this career path provides the opportunity for instructional design and developing activities, assessments, lesson plans and syllabi. This program also satisfies the requirements for ongoing professional development. Graduates may choose to continue their education to deepen their specialty in teaching and sociology.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of sociology, especially for those whose previous exposure to sociology was some time ago. The course examines several major areas of interest to sociologists as well as the theories and types of research that sociologists often use to gain new knowledge in this academic discipline.
Course Description
In this course, students analyze the works of the great thinkers within the field of sociology. The three major schools of thought are examined in depth, including classical and modern theories of sociology. Students select sociological topics and engage in comparative analysis of the theories.
Course Description
This foundational course covers adult learning theory and pedagogical practices that are research-based and proven effective in higher education. Technology, distance learning, and effective pedagogy for online and traditional instruction are emphasized. Candidates research learning paradigms, personalized learning, and andragogy and are asked to apply their knowledge through situational case studies.
Course Description
This course takes a sociocultural perspective on the institution of the family. The role of the family within the functioning of society is examined. The course also compares the institution of the family around the world.
Course Description
This course examines social stratification within specific countries and around the globe. The course focuses on world poverty, world political order, and social justice on the world stage.
Course Description
This course covers curricular alignment, instructional design, and effective communication and collaboration amongst university stakeholders. Creating learning goals, developing student outcomes and assessments, and giving effective feedback are emphasized. Candidates are asked to collaboratively develop activities, assessments, lesson plans, and syllabi that would be appropriate for a course taught at a community college or university. Prerequisite: EDU-534.
Course Description
The course takes a sociohistorical perspective on societal change. An in-depth look at how social movements create or resist social change is provided.
Course Description
This course explores the intersection of sociology and pedagogy in the university setting. Pedagogical theory and elements of sociology are examined. Through pedagogical analysis, students look at the discipline of sociology and build a pedagogy for sociology in the university setting. The course uses an Introduction to Sociology textbook to analyze and scaffold an Introduction to Sociology course.
Program Locations
Online
Evening
* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures (18 months)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.