MA in English vs Political Science vs Sociology

November 26,

2023

Embarking on the journey towards a Master’s degree is akin to unlocking the doors to a realm of intellectual exploration and professional growth. English, Political Science, and Sociology are the three popular subjects considered by students worldwide when they wish to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) degree course from a top-class university like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU).

The pursuit of an MA in English helps dive into the depths of literary landscapes. Meanwhile, an MA in Political Science invites students to navigate the complex web of global governance. On the other hand, pursuing an MA in Sociology opens the doors to understanding the intricacies of human behavior and mechanisms that drive social change. But choosing between an MA in English, an MA in Political Science, or an MA in Sociology ultimately depends on your personal interest, career goals, and specific skills you want to develop.

Let us dig deeper to draw a comparison of MA in English, Political Science, and Sociology, so continue reading this entire post!

What is an MA in English

Master of Arts in English, also known as MA in English, is a popular post-graduate 2-year degree program. It is one of the most preferred courses for enthusiastic learners who wish to explore all the realms of literature, language, and culture. This program helps students to indulge in analytical thinking, sharpen their communication skills, and enhance their writing styles. The entire MA in English program comprises a balanced blend of curriculum, including drama, fiction, and poetry.

What is an MA in Political Science?

Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science is a 2-year post-graduate degree program that focuses on the study of political systems, political theory, government structures, and international relations. The online MA in Political Science program from top universities like Sikkim Manipal University covers a range of topics to help students acquire advanced knowledge and analytical skills in political science. MA in Pol Science graduate can easily understand and influence the political processes and institutions.

What is an MA in Sociology

Master of Arts in Sociology, also abbreviated as MA in Sociology, is a 2-year post-graduate degree program designed to help students focus on the study of society, human behavior, and social structures. The online MA in Sociology course from a leading university like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) covers a range of topics like social inequality, sociological theory, global sociology, sociology of gender, sociology of race and ethnicity, and so on. After completing an MA in Sociology degree program, an individual feels more confident focusing on specific areas of interest such as criminology, urban sociology, environmental sociology, and medical sociology.

Course curriculum: MA in English

Choosing between MA programs in English, Pol Science, and Soc will be easier if you get complete knowledge about the course curriculum of all these degree programs. Let’s start by elaborating a bit on the course curriculum of MA in English.

No matter whether you choose an on-campus or an online MA in English degree program, the course curriculum will remain the same. The entire MA in English post-graduation program is designed to help students learn about the diverse literary works of different eras and cultures.

Total number of semesters: 4

Course duration: 24 months

*Semester Name*	*Course Description*
Semester 1	Drama – IFiction – ILiterary, Theory and Criticism – IPoetry – I
Semester 2	Drama – IIFiction – IILiterary, IPoetry – II
Semester 3	Indian English Literature, American Literature Choose any two: Literature and Environment, Commonwealth Literature, Introduction to Cinema Studies
Semester 4	Gender Studies in Literature ,Dissertation Choose any two: World Literature, Postcolonial Literature, Evolution of Theatre

Course curriculum: MA in Political Science

MA in Political Science, a post-graduate degree program, covers all the vital political science subjects such as international politics, political theory, comparative politics, peace, and conflicts. The online MA in Pol Science program from SMU helps students tune in their understanding of politics and master the ability to evaluate all types of political issues.

Total number of semesters: 4

Course duration: 24 months

*Semester Name*	*Course Description*
Semester 1	Political Theory, Major Ideas and Issues in Public Administration, Indian Government and Politics, Comparative Politics: Concepts and Methods
Semester 2	Politics in India, International Politics: Theory and Issues, Interpreting Modern India, Western Political Thought
Semester 3	Political Sociology of India, Modern Indian Political Thought Choose any two: Theory and Practice of Democracy, Governance and Public Policy in India, Security Studies
Semester 4	Human Rights, Dissertation and Viva Voce Choose any two: Democracy and Violence, Contestation, Convergence and Discourse, India’s Foreign Policy

Course curriculum: MA in Sociology

The online MA in Sociology degree program from Sikkim Manipal University is all about acquiring knowledge about gaining nuanced social perspectives. The entire course curriculum helps augment the social skills of the student. An MA in Sociology is a comprehensive and rigorous program that equips students with the theoretical frameworks and research skills needed to analyze and address various social issues in diverse contexts.

Total number of semesters: 4

Course duration: 24 months

*Semester Name*	*Course Description*
Semester 1	Introduction to Sociology, Gender and Society, Sociological Thoughts, Social Stratification in India
Semester 2	Rural and Urban Sociology, Perspective of Indian Society, Classical Sociological Theory, Sociology of Family and Kinship
Semester 3	Culture, Personality, and Society, Contemporary Sociological Theories Choose any two: Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Population Studies, Sociology of Ethnicity and Nationalism
Semester 4	Sociology of Development, Participatory Sociology (Dissertation) Choose any two: Political Sociology, Sociology of Health, Sociology of Information Society

Note: The course curriculum is subject to variation with program & university

Careers after MA in English

Boost your career prospects by enhancing your language and communication skills through an MA in English course from a top-class university like SMU. From a content specialist, translator, journalist, HR manager, PR manager, editor, publisher, social worker, teacher, corporate trainer, and researcher to analyst; the list is endless when it comes to grabbing a job with an MA in English degree in hand.

Have a look at the bright career prospects after completing an MA in English from a prestigious university like Sikkim Manipal University:

*Job Profile*	*Role and Responsibilities*	*Approximate Salary*
Content Writer	Create engaging content for websites, blogs, and marketing material	INR 6,70,995 per annum
Editor/ Publisher	Review and refine written content for publishing houses, online publications, and magazines	INR 6.15 lakh per annum
Public Relations Manager	Manage communication strategies for organizations and individuals	INR 9.83 lakh per annum
Translator/ Interpreter	Bridge the language gap in different industries through an excellent command of the language	INR 5.4 lakh per annum
Human Resource Manager	Recruit employees and maintain their relationship with the organization through an excellent understanding of the language	INR 10 lakh – INR 12 lakh per annum

Careers after MA in Political Science

An MA in Pol Science degree from a prestigious university like SMU can help you bag lucrative career opportunities. The individual can easily fit into all the leading job roles that require using political knowledge, such as political consultant, international relations administrator, political content writer, diplomat, public administrator, political journalist, academician, political campaign manager, etc.

The table below highlights the top 5 career opportunities after pursuing an MA in Pol Sci from a top-class university like SMU:

*Job Profile*	*Role and Responsibilities*	*Approximate Salary*
Government and Public Administrator	Work in government agencies at the local or state level and analyze policies and programs	INR 18.4 lakh per annum
Political Consultant	Help shape the success of political candidates through political campaigns and useful strategies	INR 7 lakh per annum
Political Journalist	Report on political events and analyze the government policies	INR 6 – INR 7 lakh per annum
International Relations Administrator	Raise political and public welfare concerns in diplomatic services, NGOs, and at the international level	INR 10.3 lakh per annum
Public Relations and Communication Manager	Help organizations to navigate through political and public opinions	INR 8.2 lakh per annum

Careers after MA in Sociology

The MA in Sociology course allows professionals to gain knowledge in the field of sociology while enjoying the flexibility to meet their other personal and professional commitments. Pursuing an MA in Sociology degree means opening a gateway to interesting job opportunities such as social worker, social researcher, HR manager, education consultant, probation officer, NSO manager, responsibility manager, teacher, marriage counselor, etc.

Have a look at the top 5 career opportunities after an MA in Sociology from leading universities like Sikkim Manipal University:

*Job Profile*	*Role and Responsibilities*	*Approximate Salary*
Social Researcher	Conduct social research by analyzing data on various social issues	INR 5.3 lakh per annum
Social Worker	Work for the welfare of the society by providing support and resources	INR 3.5 lakh per annum
Human Resource Manager	Manage employee and employer relationships and create a positive workplace culture	INR 12 lakh per annum
Healthcare Administrator	Administer patient care, and community health and analyze healthcare policies	INR 4.8 lakh per annum
Urban Planner	Plan for urban development of a city addressing issues like housing, community, and transportation	INR 9.7 lakh per annum

MA in English vs MA in Political Science vs MA in Sociology: What you should choose

Pursuing a Master of Arts (MA) after graduation is a wise decision and can enhance your career prospects, provided you choose the right subject. Understanding the differences and similarities among MA degree options like MA in English, Pol Science, and Sociology will help you make an informed decision.

The table below will help you make the right choice: MA in English, Pol Science, or Soc:

*Parameter*	*MA in English*	*MA in Political Science*	*MA in Sociology*
Skill Development	Understanding literature, language, and critical analysis Having a command over written and verbal communication skills	Understanding of political systems and international relations Equipping analytical and research skills in political contexts	Understanding of human behavior, social structures, and research methodologies Ability to resolve conflicts in society and organizations
Career Prospects	Content specialist, Journalist, Editor, Teacher, Publisher, HR manager, PR manager	Political consultant, Government administrator, Diplomat, International relation manager, Research manager	Social worker, Social researcher, Corporate manager, Education and academia, NGO manager
Industry Demand	High demand for MA in English graduates across various industries where excellent written and communication skills are required	High demand for MA in Pol Science graduates in sectors related to political fields, where research, analytical, and political knowledge is mandatory	High demand for MA in Sociology graduates in areas related to social concerns, criminology, and research methodologies is required

Conclusion

The Best-fit MA specialization: English, Pol Science, or Sociology can confuse anyone thinking about which one to pursue, and we wanted to help you make an informed decision through this post. While it is crucial to select the right course, it is equally important to pursue it from a good university like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), which offers a UGC-entitled online MA degree program. Global classroom, in-person campus immersion, attractive scholarships, expert faculty, and the prestigious Manipal alumni status – you will get access to all this by enrolling in an online MA degree program from SMU through the Online Manipal platform.

Disclaimer

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Additionally, information like fee, eligibility, scholarships, finance options etc. on offerings and programs listed on Online Manipal may change as per the discretion of respective universities so please refer to the respective program page for latest information. Any information provided in blogs is not binding and cannot be taken as final.

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