Applied Sociology (MA) — Degree Requirements

Courses

Candidates for the MA degree in applied sociology must earn a minimum of 36 semester credits, at least 30 of which must be in courses offered in the program. To graduate, students must have an overall grade point average of 3.0.

Each student’s course work includes the following:

1. SOC 600 (Foundations).
   
   
2. Two courses in research methodology (SOC 650, 651).
   
   
3. Two of the following: SOC 601, 605, 620, 641.
   
   
4. At least two courses related to an area of concentration such as criminology/ corrections, medical sociology, dispute resolution, or gerontology.
   
   
5. A field work course (SOCIOL 698, 3-6 credits). The required field work/internship component may be waived if the student has had substantial experience in an appropriate field work setting—for example, a social or human service agency.
   

Thesis, Master’s Paper, or Comprehensive Examination

As the program’s capstone requirement, each student chooses to complete a master’s thesis, write a master’s paper, or take a comprehensive examination. Students choosing the thesis option earn nine of their required 36 credits through writing the thesis (SOCIOL 699), a project supervised by a thesis committee. The master’s thesis, submitted at the conclusion of degree work, must show evidence of analytical thinking, methodological skill, and competence in the substantive area under investigation. Students choosing to write a master’s paper register for a six-credit Master’s Research Seminar (SOCIOL 695) during which they write a research paper. To enroll in this seminar, students should have already satisfied all the requirements of the undergraduate and graduate research methods sequence. The master’s paper is evaluated by the supervising professor and another member of the faculty. The master’s paper must show the student’s general competence in sociological theory, methodology, and one substantive area.

Students are eligible to take the comprehensive examination after completing a minimum of 30 credits. Independent study (SOCIOL 696) may be taken in preparation for the examination.

Transfer Credits

Please see the general statement of transfer credit requirements for all graduate studies programs in the “Regulations, Procedures, and Degree Requirements” section of this publication.

Before enrollment in the program, students should consult with the graduate program director regarding transfer credits or UMass Boston undergraduate credits if these are intended to satisfy degree requirements.

Students may obtain and satisfy degree credits by concentrating in course work in selected other graduate programs. In particular, full-time students in the MA Program in Applied Sociology may pursue a course of study leading to a certificate in gerontology, dispute resolution, or forensic services. Please note: Enrollment in these areas is contingent on approval of the respective program directors.