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Graduate Program in Sociology
Program Requirements
Visit the Graduate & Professional Studies website for more information and admissions
The goal of graduate sociology is to develop in our students qualities of the citizen-leader by providing graduate level education that emphasizes the applied use of sociological theories and methods.
Students have the opportunity to learn how to apply sociology through practica, real life experience in their professional fields. With a program designed to serve students who are already in a service profession related to sociology and those seeking positions in these fields, we offer the kind of education that will encourage professional growth and enhance leadership ability. The student interested in the many fields of criminal justice will benefit from our program's well-developed ties to various criminal justice and related institutions throughout the region.
The program is unique in four ways.
- It is oriented to the application of sociological theories and methods to social life. This includes issues related to crime, juvenile delinquency, poverty, family violence, service delivery, and human resources.
- The program utilizes off-campus courses, innovative time formats, and web-based and web-enhanced offerings. These arrangements make the program especially attractive for in-service professionals.
- Because it is grounded in the liberal arts discipline of sociology, it is an appropriate degree program for students in a variety of vocations.
- The program is well-integrated into local and regional criminal justice and social service agencies and is supported by an advisory panel of distinguished professionals.
Graduate sociology at Longwood is offered off-campus. Currently, our courses are offered off-campus at the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Lynchburg. Each off campus course is typically offered over four alternate weekends.
Admission Requirements:
- Request an application packet from the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (434-392-2707) OR visit the Longwood University Graduate Studies web site at www.longwood.edu/graduatestudies and print a copy of the application OR apply online.
- Complete the application form and the In-State Tuition Application.
- Write a personal essay of 500 words or more in which you discuss your reasons for seeking graduate education. Include your career goals and how the Sociology graduate program will help to meet those goals; prior work/life experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for this program; and your perception of your intellectual capability to successfully complete this graduate program.
- Must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). If not, either a minimum mean score on 2 out of 3 parts (verbal, quantitative, analytical writing) of the General GRE test OR a GPA of 3.5 on 6 hours of Longwood graduate courses that are part of the degree program to which you are applying taken as a non-degree registrant within the last 12 months is required. You must be a graduate of a four-year regionally accredited college or university.
- Request official transcripts of ALL previous undergraduate and graduate work (even if recorded on subsequent transcripts) be sent directly to you in a sealed envelope. Do not break the seal. (Longwood transcripts need not be submitted since they will be obtained in house.)
- Two recommendations related to your competence and effectivness in your professional work are required. These should come from employers, professional contacts or faculty who are not on the graduate admission committee. Section 1 of each recommendation form is to be completed by you. Provide the recommendation form and a self-addressed, stamped (if it must be mailed) envelope to each person preparing a recommendation. Instruct each to enclose the completed recommendation in the envelope. It should then be sealed, signed across the seal and returned to you. Do not break the seal.
- Once you have compiled ALL of the above, mail the complete application to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909.
- Mail the $50 non-refundable application fee (payable to Longwood University) to the Office of Cashiering, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909 and include a note indicating the fee is for application to graduate studies.
