Postgraduate Studies Overview

At the postgraduate level, the department has a unique two-year Honours / MA Degree by Coursework that is offered in four specialised fields of study:

• General Sociology prepares students for a wide range of careers in research and policymaking.
• In Development Sociology, students can specialise in areas such as the environment, land reform, and development theory and practice.
• Industrial and Economic Sociology focuses on labour, political economy, and economic and social policy.
• Health Sociology - the only such degree in the country - provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with the social aspects of health & disease, including HIV/AIDS.

The department also offers a Research Masters by Dissertation and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by thesis for students of exceptional ability. A separate postgraduate information booklet is available from the department.
 

Career Prospects:

A Sociology degree in any of the fields above will greatly enhance your capacity to find employment as a professional Social Scientist. There are a growing number of posts advertised for Social Scientists, particularly in the fields of:

• Social Policy
• Development Planning
• Industrial Relations
• Social Research
• Academic teaching and research
• A Sociology Major is also greatly sought after in the fields of Law, Journalism, NGO work, Demography, Health organisations, Community work and Government.

Admission to all degrees is competitive.

Enquiries to Ms Laura Bloem Tel: 011 717 4424, or Professor Devan Pillay   Devan.Pillay@wits.ac.za 

PhD enquiries: Professor Ran Greenstein: ran.greenstein@wits.ac.za