Master in sociology

General objectives

At Sciences Po, sociology is taught as a discipline of enquiry, based fundamentally on the analysis of original data, which means that a great deal of emphasis is placed on learning rigorous methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative. The two-year Master's programme is based on practical experience, with one fundamental objective: to learn how to develop research questions and attempt to answer them empirically and theoretically. At a very early stage in their studies, students are encouraged to engage in field research by learning practical methods based on interviews, observations, ethnography and the analysis of large databases. The course is also based on intensive reading and the ability to engage with and discuss literature.

Particular importance is attached to the research dissertation, which starts at the end of the first year and is supervised by one or two members of the sociology department. The subjects chosen and the methods used by students are varied and reflect the very broad spectrum of research topics and methodologies studied by the sixty or so researchers in the Sociology Department at Sciences Po.

Courses are taught in English and French. Students may use either English or French throughout the master's programme for exams, research work, the dissertation or exchanges in class, the principle being that each student speaks in the language in which he or she is most comfortable. In order to facilitate the integration of students who do not understand French, first-year courses are taught in English, with some courses split into English and French. Graduates of the Master's in Sociology are particularly well prepared to continue their academic career at doctoral level, to join large organisations, the consultancy sector, public bodies and to work for research and study institutes at national, European or international level.

Organization of courses 

• Programme, semester 1
• Programme, semester 2
• Programme, semester 3
• Programme, semester 4

Teaching Staff

The teaching staff made up of internationally recognized sociologists. A Master's Steering Committee meets 3-4 times a year. It is made up of four teacher-researchers (Sarah Gensburger, Marta Dominguez, Olivier Godechot and Christine Musselin) and the Master's Director, plus two student representatives per year. The Master's teaching team is made up of research professors from 4 Sciences Po research centers, of which Sciences Po sociologists are members. 

You will find a presentation of these centers and their members below:

Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS)

Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the Centre for the Sociology of Organisations

Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics

Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the médialab

Contacts

• Jérôme Pélisse, 
  Head of doctoral studies in Sociology,
  Full Professor at Sciences Po,
  Researcher at the CSO

Contact us by e-mail or telephone to make an appointment:

• Carine Boutillier
  Administrative Officer
  Tel. : +33 (0)1 45 49 59 82