M.A. Applied Sociology

Our program prepares you for professional practice in human service agencies and applied research settings as well as for further academic study in sociology and related fields. A committee of three faculty members guides and oversees your program of study as you progress toward completing your degree.

For this 36-unit program, which involves completing either an internship or thesis, you take:

a 9-unitapplied core:

SOC 651, 653, and SOC 654/CJ 610 or SOC 655/CJ 656

12 units in one of two emphases:

applied research emphasis:

SOC 654 or 655 (whichever you haven't taken yet) and SOC 656 (6 units )

plus 6 units from SOC 630, 631, and 685, SS 585, PSY 625, and STA 570, 571, 572, and 575

sociological perspectives emphasis:

12 units from SOC 504, 510, 515, 528, 599, 610, 616, 619, 641, 642, 660, 661, and 698

9 units of electives selected in consultation with your committee
6 units of SOC 696 or 699
An internship, which requires your committee's approval, provides you with hands-on experience to help bridge the gap between theory and practice. See the graduate coordinator for information about our network of field-placement opportunities with agencies, organizations, and companies throughout Arizona. An internship paper is required. Contact the department for further information.
Preparing a thesis involves an independent research project in either applied or basic sociological inquiry, followed by the writing and oral defense of an approved thesis. (Please note that you may end up taking more than the 6 hours you can count toward your degree because you must register for SOC 699 each semester while you are working on your thesis.)

In addition to these requirements, you must:

select your committee by the time you've completed 18 units of coursework
prepare a formal paper for your internship or thesis, which your committee must approve
make an oral presentation to your committee, which they must approve

Click here for more information about Sociology graduate courses and faculty.