Hello.
I am graduating this year with a BA in sociology. Woo. My main interests are semiotics of food and gender/sexuality. I am certainly a qualitative kinda galllll. I am looking to apply to PhD programs this fall, but I would also like to apply to some MA programs because I am really worried/scared/insecure that I will not get into any decent PhD programs. I know people have a lot of negative things to say about terminal MA programs (e.g. waste of money, waste of time, etc.), but I feel like I would greatly benefit from refining my research interests and skills before entering a PhD program. Anyway, I am just wondering if ya'll have some advice. Any MA or PhD program recommendations given the very vague and broad interests I mentioned above? I have heard that most sociology MA programs are geared toward quantitative research. Is that true? Maybe I should apply to MA programs outside of sociology? And to what extent does having an MA boost your chances of getting into a PhD program? I have been told that getting an MA in and of itself is essentially worthless and that going into an MA program is only useful if you publish something or do something spectacular during your time there. Any info is useful info! Thanks ?