Master of Science in Applied
Sociology
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/sociology/
Faculty
Professors: Paul Jargowsky, Richard K. Scotch
Associate Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Sheryl Skaggs
Senior
Lecturer: Meryl Nason
Program 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.
Core Courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS (12 hours):
EPPS 6313 Introduction to
Quantitative Methods
SOC 6312 Social-Economic Theories
SOC 6350 Social Stratification
EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Methods
Or EPPS 6310 Research Design I
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 courses from the School of
Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences with the permission of the program
coordinator.
Social Science Electives (9 hours):
Any
graduate-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.