Sociology MA Program

Applied Concentration

Applied Sociology is a great asset of our program. In 2012 we began the Applied Social Research Lab (ASRL) in partnership with the Center for Community Outreach. We recently converted a classroom for ASRL use making it a teaching, research, and learning lab where our faculty conduct all facets of survey and evaluation work. We work with other faculty at ETSU and with private clients from New York to Louisiana on topics that range from public health, to criminal justice, to institutional research. We also employ undergraduate and graduate students on these projects where they gain experience that helps them connect real world research experiences to their graduate school courses and explore careers in applied sociology.

Skills gained from the Applied Concentration:

• Quantitative and Qualitative research methods training
  
  
• Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis training using SPSS, Excel, and other resources
• Grant writing experience
• Survey design and administration experience (web, paper, phone)
• Community research experience
• An internship on an ASRL project or a project of student's choice
• Research presentation experience
  
  
  
  
• Technical report writing skills
• Working with faculty and community partners outside of the Sociology Department.
• Data collection experience
• AND MANY MORE!

Click a student to hear about their experience in the program.

Thesis Concentration

The General Sociology Concentration is an ideal option for students who seek flexibility in coursework beyond the core foundation in methods, theory, and data analysis. Students enjoy the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a topic of interest, work with a faculty mentor, and write a master’s thesis. Thesis concentration students who hold graduate assistantships work with faculty members in the classroom or on research, and may be selected to teach undergraduate courses in their second year. The thesis concentration also offers excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their studies in a doctoral program.

Skills gained from the Thesis Concentration:

• 
  Quantitative and Qualitative research methods training
• Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis training using SPSS, Excel, and other resources
  
  
  
• Data collection experience
• 
  Academic writing experience
• Research presentation experience
• Training in classroom instruction
• AND MANY MORE!

Click a student to hear about their experience in the program.

For more information on the Sociology Master's Program, please contact us!

Our focus is giving students an excellent education, broadening their horizons by showing them the world, while preparing students for jobs that follow graduation.