Course content and focus areas
The master’s program in Sociology provides you with in-depth knowledge of sociological theories and methods, along with a skillset that enables you to independently utilize research findings and methodologies according to the principles of sound academic work. This allows you to develop your own research questions and pursue them in a well-founded, practical research context.
We offer you comprehensive insights into the theories, methodology, and methods of sociology and its diverse research fields. This is also reflected in the structure of our degree program: You will choose two out of seven elective modules and can freely select courses from our interesting and constantly evolving range of offerings within these modules. The elective modules are divided into the following areas:
- Gender, Migration, and Diversity
- Microsociology, Social Psychology, and Culture
- Economy, Employment, and Organization
- Social Structure, Social Inequality, and Education
- Knowledge, Technology, and Environment
- Methods of Empirical Social Research
Following this, our specialization module allows you to focus on one of the areas you selected in the elective modules.
Integration of Theory and Empirical Research
The Sociology program at Goethe University Frankfurt is guided by the idea of teaching social science thinking and research in its breadth through both theoretical considerations and empirical investigations. In the tradition of Frankfurt social sciences, you will acquire the skills to work independently according to academic principles and to effectively apply methods and findings to socially relevant questions throughout your studies.
Independent Research in a Research Internship
A unique feature of the MA Sociology program is the integration of research-based learning through two research internships. Under professional guidance, you will apply methods of empirical social research in practice, make independent decisions in developing your own research design, and present and defend your findings appropriately.
Comprehensive and Diverse Course Offerings
Our department’s course offerings, provided by 22 professors, are further enriched through close cooperation with the Department of Political Science, the Sigmund Freud Institute (SFI), the Institute for Social Research (IfS), the Cornelia Goethe Center for Women’s Studies and the Study of Gender Relations (CGC), the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE), and the Center for Leadership and Behavior in Organizations (CLBO).
Tailored Studies
In the master’s program in Sociology, you also have the opportunity to sharpen your personal profile by selecting interdisciplinary courses from the extensive range of offerings at Goethe University as part of the optional module. You can also gain initial professional experience in a field of your choice through an internship.
Developing International Competencies
Since the degree programs at the Faculty of Social Sciences are highly internationally oriented, we offer you a regularly changing selection of English-language courses taught by faculty with significant international experience at renowned institutions, as well as guest scholars from around the world.
As a student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, you also have the opportunity to study at one of our many partner universities abroad.