Program Overview

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School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers a Master of Science in Applied Sociology, a program that emphasizes the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and social research skills.

Master of Science in Applied Sociology

The Master of Science degree in Applied Sociology is offered under two different options: the thesis option and the non-thesis option. The thesis option is primarily designed for students continuing on for a PhD in sociology or other social science program, while the non-thesis option is primarily designed to prepare students for careers in policy analysis, program development and evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

Objectives

The program objectives are to train students to 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.

Faculty

The faculty members for the Applied Sociology program include:

• Professors: Richard K. Scotch, Sheryl L. Skaggs
• Assistant Professor: Brenda Gambol Gavigan
• Professor of Instruction: Carol Cirulli Lanham
• Assistant Professor of Instruction: Galen Dickey-Laprocido

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Sociology include:

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education
• A 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (on a 4.0 point scale)
• A Graduate Records Examination (GRE) verbal score of 156 and a quantitative score of 152
• Submission of all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining personal background, education, and professional objectives

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.

Grading Policy

To qualify for graduation, students must have earned a grade of B or better in each of the 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 UT Dallas.

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Sociology include:

• Completion of 36 semester credit hours
• Selection of either the thesis or non-thesis option
• Completion of core courses, guided electives, and electives

Thesis Option

The thesis option requires:

• 15 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS
• 9 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives
• 6 semester credit hours of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) electives
• 6 semester credit hours of thesis research

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option requires:

• 18 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS)
• 9 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives
• 9 semester credit hours of EPPS electives

Core Courses

The core courses for the Master of Science in Applied Sociology include:

• EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
• SOC 6350 Social Stratification
• Choice of one course from:
  • EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
  • PA 7330 Research Design in Public Affairs
  • PPPE 6310 Research Design I
  • SOC 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance
• Choice of one course from:
  • EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
  • EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Orientation
• Choice of one course from:
  • SOC 6340 Domestic Social Policy
  • SOC 6312 Social-Economic Theories
• Choice of one course from:
  • SOC 5V92 Internship in Applied Sociology
  • SOC 6V92 Research Workshop in Applied Sociology

Guided Elective Courses

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.

EPPS Electives

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.

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.