Master's in Medical Sociology Programs

How to Earn a Master's Degree in Medical Sociology

All students entering into a master's degree program for medical sociology will need to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework prior to graduation. In order to earn these credits, students can take a variety of courses like social theory, qualitative methods, research methods, and many more.

Social Theory

Students in a social theory class will learn about individuals throughout history who have worked to shape the field of sociology and the work that they did in the field. A few of the possible topics that may be covered in this course include conflict theory, rationalism, feminism, race theory, structural functionalism, and modern symbolic interaction. This is typically a traditional lecture-based class that involves many in-class discussions between students.

Qualitative Methods

Qualitative methods is a course designed to teach students about important research methods that can be used in the field of medical sociology. Some of the different topics that may be covered in a class like this are how to use different qualitative research methods, when to use certain types of research methods, how to analyze data, understanding observations, and cultural relations. Students in this class will complete field observations either individually or in groups.

Research Methods

Research methods is a course that will prepare students to conduct research in the field of medical sociology and address the different problems that they may face in the process. There are a variety of different topics that can be covered in a course like this, including data collection, research design, processing of data, presentation of data, statistical methods, and important computer skills. Prior to entry into this class, students may need to have already completed an undergraduate course in statistics.

Sociology of Health and Illness

Students in a sociology of health and illness class will learn about the sociological perspectives that apply to different health and illness topics. As a part of this course students will also learn about health policies, treatments, mental illnesses, stigmas, and social epidemiology. This is typically a lecture-based class that does not involve fieldwork or laboratory experience. Before being able to enroll in this course, students will need to typically be a junior in their program of study.

Social Inequality

Social inequality is a class that will teach students about the current social inequalities present in the world and how they have come about. Some of the topics that may be covered in a course like this include theoretical frameworks, consequences of inequalities, social mobility, analysis of inequalities, and the unequal distribution of resources. Additionally, students will learn about categories that may lead to inequalities, like race, gender, sexuality, and social class.

Statistics

A statistics class will focus on teaching students about different mathematical concepts that can be used in the field of medical sociology when working with individuals or in the process of completing research. This course may cover topics like quantitative techniques, interpreting statistical data, probability, multiple regression, and significance tests. Upon completion of this course students should be able to use different computer software to complete statistical analysis.

Admission Requirements for Medical Sociology Programs

All students who hope to gain admission into a master's degree program for medical sociology will need to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants should also have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in previous undergraduate coursework, which will need to be verified via official college transcripts. At the time of application, students will also need to submit a current resume as well. Lastly, applicants may need to submit letters of recommendation or an academic writing sample depending on the school that they are applying to.

Earning a master's degree in medical sociology will require students to take a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, and students can earn these credits by completing classes like social inequality, sociology of health and illness, and social theory. Before gaining admission into a master's degree program in medical sociology, students will need to meet an array of requirements, like holding a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate coursework and submitting all of the necessary paperwork.