Masters of Sociology in Applied Social Research
The Division of Sociology and Anthropology offers a Master’s degree in Sociology in applied social research. Students are trained to be able to take positions in government, universities, community agencies, and private industry that require them to design and conduct research for purposes of evaluating policies and programs, documenting social needs, monitoring service delivery, and marketing products and services. The program also serves as a good foundation for students who may later choose to pursue doctoral studies. Students pursue individually-tailored plans of study that include training in research design and data analysis, along with advanced work in substantive areas and a grounding in policy analysis.
Employers value our graduates’ technical skills, understanding of the research process and overview of the interaction between research, planning, and policy. Many of our graduates are soon promoted to positions as project directors, managers and supervisors. As a consequence, our network for placing graduates is ever expanding.
The 36 hour program requires 30 hours of coursework and either the completion of an applied research report (six hours) based on an analysis of a social program or policy, or a thesis (six hours) for students interested in investigating a theoretical problem or methodological issue. During the first three semesters, students are required to enroll in a series of core research courses. These include survey research methods, qualitative research methods, elementary and advanced data analysis, principles of research design, and a seminar in applied social research policy.
In addition to instruction of technical skills, faculty furnish an overview of the relationship between policy and research and provide expertise in a broad range of substantive areas, including economic development in Appalachia, gender, racial and ethnic studies, sociology of education and work, the criminal justice system, health care delivery, injury prevention, community and organizational development, and conflict analysis and resolution. In addition to course work, students will have an opportunity to work with faculty who are actively engaged in research in the areas mentioned above. It is not uncommon to have students work with faculty on research that is presented at local, regional and national professional meetings, published in professional journals, and presented to development agencies and legislative bodies.
