M.A. in Applied and Public Sociology

Learning Outcomes

• Applied and Public Sociology - Understand the applied and public approach to Sociology including how it differs from traditional Sociology, the role of stakeholders, its strengths and weaknesses.
• Substantive Areas - Examine real-world social issues and discipline knowledge using an Applied and Public Sociology perspective.
• Research Methods & Statistics - Use appropriate research methods to study real-world social issues from an applied and public perspective.
• Capstone Research Experience - Use their substantive and theoretical knowledge and research skills to independently conduct an applied and/or public research project.

Requirements for the
M.A. Degree (30 credits)

Concentration

• Community and Social Justice
• Health and Gerontology
• Criminal Justice and Society

Students must select one of the three concentrations. The concentration requires completion of two approved elective courses in that concentration area, as well as completion of a thesis or community research practicum project in that concentration area.

Coursework

• SOCI 501 Seminar in Applied and Public Sociology                  
• SOCI 502 Research Methods in Sociology                          
• SOCI 503 Quantitative Analysis                                                  
• SOCI 505 Classical Sociological Theory                                     
• SOCI 5## Research Method Elective                                         
• SOCI 5## Sociological Elective                                                   
• SOCI 5## Sociological Elective                                                   
• SOCI 5## Sociological Elective                                                 
• SOCI 702 Proposal Development                                                
• SOCI 700 Thesis OR                                                                       
  SOCI 701 Community Research Clinical Practicum                   
  Total Credits for an MA in Applied and Public Sociology    30 Credits

Research Methods Electives 

• SOCI 504 The Social Landscape: Place, Space and Society
• SOCI 508 Population
• SOCI 530 Proposal and Grant Writing
• SOCI 550 Applied Community Practicum
• SOCI 551 Teaching Sociology Practicum
• Any Research Methods courses approved by the Graduate Director. 

Sociological Electives

• SOCI 504 The Social Landscape: Place, Space, and Society
• SOCI 408 Sociology of the City
• SOCI 409 Correctional Policy
• SOCI 411 Aging and Mental Health
• SOCI 512 The American Drug Problem
• SOCI 415 Health, Illness & Policy
• SOCI 516 Minorities and Public Policy
• SOCI 518 Population
• SOCI 421 CJ Policy
• Any three Sociological elective courses approved by the Graduate Director. 

Capstone Research Experience

SOCI 702 Proposal Development

This course provides mentored proposal preparation for the Thesis or Community Research Practicum under the guidance of the Thesis or Practicum Director. This class is expected to be taken in the student’s third semester. A passing grade in SOCI 702 Proposal Development is a prerequisite for SOCI 700 Thesis or SOCI 701 Community Research Clinical Practicum.

SOCI 700 Thesis
This capstone option entails an individual research project involving a research design, analysis, and completion of a report or article length document. This class is expected to be taken in the student’s fourth semester. Prerequisite: SOCI 702.

OR

SOCI 701 Community Research Clinical Practicum
This capstone option provides a community based clinical experience in applied sociology. It entails a research project under the guidance of a faculty member and in partnership with a community organization. The focus of the research project will be based on the needs of the community partner. The research project involves designing the research methodology, analyzing the information collected, writing a professional report and presenting the results to the community organization. This class is expected to be taken in the student’s fourth semester. Prerequisite: SOCI 702.