MA Sociology Syllabus and Subjects 2025

Q: Can I do PhD after MA in sociology?

If you aim to become an Assistant or Associate Professor at a college or university after completing your MA in Sociology, you can appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET) or the State Eligibility Test (SET). Qualifying these exams makes you eligible for teaching positions. Alternatively, pursuing a PhD or M.Phil. in Sociology can also open the path to teaching at the college level.

Q: Is PG in sociology good?

While pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in sociology, students engage in various research projects to deepen their understanding of social issues, test sociological theories, and apply data analysis to develop improved models of societal development. These research experiences not only enhance analytical and critical thinking skills but can also lead to significant career advancement—graduates may see an average salary increase of around 58%, with potential growth reaching up to 400% depending on their role, industry, and level of expertise.

Q: What is the government exam after MA in Sociology?

There are many options, such as UPSC, State PCs, UGC net, PhD entrance, MPhil entrance, and more.

Q: What is the average fee for the MA Sociology course?

Fees vary by institution. In government colleges, it may be INR 5,000 - 20,000 per year; private universities may charge INR 30,000 - 1,00,000 or more annually.

Q: Is distance learning available for MA Sociology?

Yes, universities like IGNOU and others offer MA Sociology through distance mode, which is UGC-recognized.

Paras Attri

Updated on - May 8, 2025

MA Sociology syllabus and subjects focus on studying Society and Human Action with various factors such as Family, Laws, Economics, and Religions governing them. MA Sociology is a 2-year postgraduate program divided into four semesters that explores social structures, relationships, and institutions. It develops critical thinking, research skills, and understanding of societal issues, preparing students for diverse careers.

The MA in Sociology syllabus is designed to provide a deep understanding of social theories, structures, and contemporary issues. It covers core subjects such as Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory, Research Methodology, Sociology of Indian Society, and Social Stratification. Students also explore areas like Gender Studies, Urban Sociology, Sociology of Development, and Political Sociology.

The program emphasises both theoretical and practical knowledge, encouraging students to engage in critical thinking and independent research. To be eligible for admission to a Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology program, candidates must typically hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. However, preference is often given to students who have completed their undergraduate studies in sociology or related social sciences. A minimum aggregate score, usually around 50%, may be required, though this can vary depending on the institution.

Table of Contents:

MA Sociology Syllabus Semester-Wise
MA Sociology Subjects
MA Sociology Course Structure
MA Sociology Teaching Methodology and Techniques
MA Sociology Projects
MA Sociology Reference Books

MA Sociology Syllabus Semester-Wise

MA in Sociology curriculum delves into the study of society, including its structures and functions, as well as various aspects of human behaviour and action, such as politics, laws, and economics. Below is a breakdown of the MA in Sociology syllabus by semester.

MA Sociology First Year Syllabus Semester-Wise 2025

Below is a table of the MA 1st year Sociology Syllabus:

MA Sociology Syllabus Semester I
Classical Sociological Tradition	Methods of Sociological Research
Understanding Indian Society	Approach to Study in Indian Society
Classical Sociological Traditions: Marx, Durkheim and Weber
MA Sociology Syllabus Semester II
Sociology of Marginalized Community	Development of Sociological Thought
Urban Society in India	Social Change in India
Classical Sociological Traditions: Pareto, Cooley and Mead

MA Sociology Second Year Syllabus Semester-Wise 2025

Below is a table of the second-year syllabus for MA Sociology:

MA Sociology Syllabus Semester III
Contemporary Sociological Thought	Gender and Society
Modern Sociological Theory	Socio-Religious Movement in India
Sociology of Family, Kinship and Marriage
MA Sociology Syllabus Semester IV
Sociology of Industrial Relations	Sociological Theory
Data Collection and Analytical Procedures	Political Sociology
Dissertation

MA Sociology Subjects

Master of Arts in Sociology subjects focus on Sociological Thoughts, theories, and the development of society in India and the world. The M.A. Sociology subject list consists of core and elective subjects, which are in the list below:

MA Sociology Core Subjects

The MA Sociology subjects include a list of core subjects, which are listed below:

Sociological theories
Sociological Thoughts
Sociology of Family, Kinship and Marriage
Socio-Religious Movement in India
Political Sociology

MA Sociology Elective Subjects

The MA in Sociology syllabus has elective courses that cover disciplinary topics and skill development listed below:

Sociology of Health and Sanitation
NGOs and Development
Environment and Society in India
Globalization and Society
Media and Society
Sociology of Information Society

MA Sociology Subjects In Detail

A complete table of the topics covered in the Sociology MA syllabus, including disciplinary issues and skill development, is given below.

MA Sociology Subjects	Topics
Modern Sociological Theories	Sociological Theory, Relationship between Theory and Research, Functionalism, Intellectual Roots of Conflict Theory.
Sociology of Family, Kinship and Marriage	The Kinship System, Kinship organization in India, The Family and Change, The Marriage System.
Human Rights and Society	Human Rights and Duties, Human Rights and International Concerns, Human Rights and Duties in India, Human Rights and Constitution of India.
Recent Trends in Sociological Theory	Neo-functionalism and Neo-Marxism, Ethnomethodology and Phenomenology, Structure and Agency.
Rural Development In India	Rural Development, Planning and Management, Rural Development Programmes in India, Major Problems in Rural Development.

MA Sociology Course Structure

In general, the MA Sociology syllabus consists of core subjects that focus on important theories and thoughts, electives which focus on discipline or skill-based courses, research work and seminars. To sum it up, the course structure is:

Core Subjects
Elective Subjects
Research Work
Seminars

MA Sociology Teaching Methodology and Techniques

The Sociology MA syllabus uses a variety of teaching strategies listed below to teach the subject effectively. Some of these methods combine conventional classroom lectures with interactive sessions. Listed below are some of the teaching methods in the MA Sociology syllabus:

Classroom Lectures
Guest Lecture
Case studies/ Research work
Surveys

MA Sociology Projects

The project of the MA Sociology syllabus is known as the dissertation, which a candidate has to prepare in the second year. The projects are based on evaluating the candidate’s knowledge and serve as a module for future theses. Given below are the project topics for the MA in Sociology syllabus:

Supportive Movement And Skilled Development In UP & WB States.
Impact Of Co-operative Financing In Rural Development.
The Effect Of Night Shift On The Life Of The Indian Police Officer.
Teachers' Ratings Of Behavioural Problems Of Pupils In Public Primary Schools.

MA Sociology University-wise Syllabus Comparison

Check out the university-wise syllabus for MA Sociology below.

MA Sociology DU Syllabus

Listed below is the year-wise syllabus of the MA Sociology for DU.

MA Sociology DU University Syllabus Year 1
Religion and Society	Sociology of Kinship
Sociological Theories	Sociological Theory: Some Conceptual Issues
MA Sociology DU University Syllabus Year 2
Methods of Sociological Research	Social Stratification
Sociology of Development	Sociology of Symbolism

MA Sociology IGNOU Syllabus

Listed below is the year-wise syllabus for MA Sociology for IGNOU.

MA Sociology IGNOU Syllabus Year 1
Sociological Theories and Concepts	Research Methodologies and Methods
Sociology of Development	Sociology in India
MA Sociology IGNOU Syllabus Year 2
Sociology of Education	Diaspora and Transnational Communities
Sociology of Religion	Urban Sociology
India: Democracy and Development	Decentralisation and Local Governance

MA Sociology Career Prospects

An MA in Sociology opens up diverse and rewarding career paths, providing graduates with the opportunity to analyse, address, and influence various social issues and dynamics. Below are some promising job profiles for MA Sociology graduates, along with their job descriptions and average salaries:

Name	Job Description	Average Annual Salary
Sociologist	Conducts research to study social trends, behaviors, and structures. Analyses data, publishes findings, and may contribute to policy development.	INR 5 LPA
Social Worker	Provides direct assistance and support to individuals and communities facing social challenges. Offers counselling, advocacy, and referrals to services.	INR 2 LPA
Counselor	Offers counselling services based on an understanding of community dynamics.	INR 2.3 LPA
PR Executive	Utilises knowledge of civilisations and societies to work as a Public Relations Executive.	INR 3 LPA
Journalist	Pursues a career in journalism, leveraging their expertise in societal issues.	INR 3 LPA
Research Analyst	Gathers and analyses data, conducts surveys, and prepares reports to assist organisations and policymakers in understanding and addressing social issues.	INR 3.4 LPA
Policy Analyst	Evaluates and formulates public policies, often with a focus on social welfare, by conducting research, analysing data, and making policy recommendations.	INR 9.73 LPA
Nonprofit Program Manager	Manages programs and initiatives for nonprofit organisations, overseeing budgets, staff, and implementation to achieve social impact and goals.	INR 11.7 LPA
Human Resources Specialist	Assists organisations in managing employee relations, diversity and inclusion programs, and social responsibility initiatives.	INR 6.5 LPA
Market Research Analyst	Studies consumer behaviour and market trends to help businesses make informed decisions regarding product development and marketing strategies.	INR 5.2 LPA
Academic Researcher/ Professor	Engages in teaching, academic research, and publishing scholarly work in sociology, often within a university or college setting.	INR 15 LPA
Community Organizer	Mobilizes communities to address social issues, advocate for change, and promote community development and engagement.	INR 5.43 LPA

MA Sociology Future Scope

The future scope of an MA in Sociology is bright, offering strong prospects for both advanced studies and diverse career opportunities. Here are four key aspects that highlight its potential:

Further Academic Pursuits: Many graduates opt to continue their education with a Ph.D. in Sociology or related disciplines. A doctoral degree paves the way for academic roles, in-depth research, and expertise in specialised areas of sociology.
Wide Career Opportunities: An MA in Sociology equips students with a versatile skill set that can be applied across various sectors, including social research, policy analysis, social work, human resources, non-profit management, and counselling.
Growing Societal Demand: There is increasing demand for professionals who can critically analyse and address complex societal challenges, particularly in fields such as social justice, diversity and inclusion, and public policy. Graduates are valued for their analytical thinking and strong research capabilities.
Diverse Employment Sectors: MA Sociology graduates are employed in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, NGOS, research organisations, educational institutions, corporations, and healthcare systems. They play a crucial role in policy development, community engagement, and social service initiatives.

MA Sociology Reference Books

The table below lists the MA Sociology books and authors.

Name	Author
Sociology	C. N. Shankar Rao
Sociology	Haralambus
Indian Sociological Thought	B. K. Nagla
Indian Society	M. Senthil Kumar, S Rijesh
Sociological Theory	George Ritzer