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The University of Texas at Dallas
Graduate Admissions

Master of Science in Applied Sociology

http://epps.utdallas.edu/soc/

Faculty

Professors: Richard K. Scotch

Associate Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Sheryl Skaggs

Objectives

With an emphasis on the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and social research skills, the MS degree in Applied Sociology is offered under two different options:  (1) the thesis option, which is primarily designed for students continuing on for a Ph.D. in sociology or other social science program; (2) the non-thesis option, which is primarily designed to prepare students for careers in policy analysis, program development and evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.  As public, private and nonprofit organizations attempt to maximize their human and monetary resources, they often seek professionals with specialized skills to assess program demands and viability, evaluate program success, direct change and inform policy.  Graduates of the MSAS program are trained to fill such roles and effectively apply their knowledge and skills in employment areas including healthcare, local, state and national government, nonprofit social services, community activism, marketing research, human resources and business administration. 

Although the MA in Applied Sociology is a terminal degree program, a number of our graduates have transitioned into UTD’s doctoral program in Public Policy and Political Economy, as well as external sociology doctoral programs throughout the country.  Students planning to apply to a doctoral program are strongly encouraged to pursue the master’s thesis option.  The program is open to full-time and part-time students, with many of our classes offered in the late afternoon and evenings.  Students may enter the program in the fall, spring or summer semesters.

Facilities

Students have access to the computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University’s Computing Center. The School has two computing laboratories which have over 50 computers that are network linked and equipped with major social science software packages, including E-Views, R, Rats, SPSS and STATA. A computerized geographic information system, the Lexis Nexis Database, and WestLaw are also available for student use. The University’s Computing Center provides personal computers and UNIX Workstations. Many important data and reference materials are also available online via the library’s and the School’s memberships in numerous organizations.

Prerequisites

There are no required prerequisite courses in sociology for the Applied Sociology program, although prior coursework in social theory, research methods, and social statistics is desirable. Prospective students with concerns about their preparation for the Applied Sociology program are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator.

Grading Policy

In order to qualify for graduation, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in their degree program’s core courses plus an aggregate grade point average of 3.0 for all graduate courses taken in the student’s degree program at U.T. Dallas.

Degree Requirements

The University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.

Students may select the thesis or non-thesis option.  The Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Sociology has three components and requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours.

Thesis Option

      Course Requirements        

         12 credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS*

         12 credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives

         6 credit hours of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) electives

         6 credit hours of thesis research

The Master’s Thesis is supervised by the student’s major professor and the thesis committee, chosen in consultation with the major professor.  The thesis committee may include a faculty member from another program with the approval of the major professor.  Students are advised to consult with the graduate program director in selecting a major professor and thesis committee members. Students must pass a publicly announced defense of the thesis before it is submitted to the Graduate School.  A passing grade on the defense is required in order to graduate. The date for the thesis defense should be early enough for required revisions (if any) to be made prior to the Graduate School deadline for submission. The thesis must conform to all Graduate School requirements.

Non-Thesis Option

     Course Requirements

         12 credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS*

         15 credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives

         9 credit hours of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) electives

*Students must achieve at least a 3.0 grade point average in the Applied Sociology core courses and an overall grade point average of 3.0 to graduate.  

 

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Sociology (ASOC) requires the completion of 36

semester credit hours: 12 credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology, 15 credit hours of

Applied Sociology guided electives, and 9 credit hours of electives from any graduate program

in the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences (EPPS).   

Core Courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS (12 hours):  

EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods (usually offered in Fall)
EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Methods (usually offered in Fall)
Or EPPS 6310 Research Design I (usually offered in Fall)

SOC 6312 Social-Economic Theories (usually offered in Spring)
SOC 6350 Social Stratification (usually offered in Fall)

Applied Sociology Guided Elective Courses (15 hours):

Any graduate-level courses with a SOC prefix outside of the core may be applied to this requirement. Students may apply other graduate social science courses related to Sociology, including an appropriate graduate-level internship, with the permission of the program coordinator.

Social Science Electives (9 hours):

Any 5000 or 6000 level courses in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences may be applied to this requirement. Students are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator in order to select courses appropriate for their academic and professional career goals.

Graduate Certificates  

With appropriate planning in consultation with the program coordinator, students enrolled in the ASOC program may use 15 semester credit hours from their elective courses to earn a graduate in Evaluation Research or Nonprofit Management. Information about these certificate may be obtained from the program coordinator, Dr. Richard Scotch.  

Admission Requirements  

The Master of Science in Applied Sociology seeks applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. Although applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, entering students should have earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and optimally have a combined verbal and quantitative score of at least 1100 on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Standardized test scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission. Students should also submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining personal background, education, and professional objectives. UT-Dallas undergraduates in any major may apply to the ASOC fast track program, which involves taking up

to 15 semester credit hours of graduate courses as an undergraduate that can subsequently be applied

 to the master’s degree requirements.   

For further information about the Applied Sociology Program, contact Betsy Albritton ([email protected], 972-883-6406), see our web page at http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/soc, or contact the program coordinator: Dr. Sheryl Skaggs ([email protected] 972-883-4460).

 

Last Updated: July 18, 2012