Master of Science in Applied
Sociology
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).