A primary focus of the program is the variety of social problems in society. Toward this objective, the program promotes the application of sociological and social psychological knowledge, principles, and research skills in a variety of organizational, community, and institutional settings. Examples of competencies in applied sociology include effective skills in program design and evaluation research; planning, feasibility and needs assessment studies; data management, analysis and presentation; and the application of general systems and social conflict theories to organizational problems, community development and planned change.
Degree seeking students in the Applied Sociology Program may elect to follow either a thesis or a non-thesis course of study. The thesis option is typically designed for students who plan to enter doctoral programs. The non-thesis option is more appropriate for students entering or continuing professional careers following the MA degree.
The degree of Master of Arts is conferred when students have fulfilled the requirements for either the thesis or non-thesis option. Both options require 30 hours of course work.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Student receive core knowledge in the 12 hours of required courses.
- Complete the following:
- SYA5625 - ProSeminar (3)
- SYA6126 - Social Theory (3)
- Complete at least 2 of the following:
- SYA6305 - Quantitative Social Research Methods (3)
- SYA6315 - Qualitative Research Methods (3)
- SYA6356 - Geographic Information Systems in Society (3)
Elective Courses
12 Total Credits
- Earn at least 12 credits from the following types of courses: All Sociology graduate electives listed as SYA, SYD, SYP 5000, 6000 or 7000). Students will select a minimum of 12 credit hours of unrestricted electives in consultation with their faculty advisor. No more than 3 hours may be taken in related social science UCF graduate programs outside the Department of Sociology (i.e. Anthropology (ANG, ANT), Communications (COM), Criminal Justice (CCJ, CJE, CJJ, CJT), International Studies (INR), Political Science (POS, POT, CPO), Psychology (CLP, DEP, INP, PSY, SOP), or Women’s and Gender Studies (WST). The department's graduate director and graduate committee must approve all courses taken outside the department prior to enrollment. Internship and Directed Research cannot be counted toward the required unrestricted elective courses for the degree. Students can enroll in up to 6 credit hours of Independent Study for an MA degree.
MA Final Product (6 Credits)
6 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
- SYA6507 - Academic Writing in Sociology (3)
- SYA6909 - Research Report (1 - 99)
- To fulfill the Final Product requirement, students must enroll in SYA 6507 and SYA 6909, and complete a final research report. The structure of the report will be determined by the student, their advisor, and their committee. Before students may begin the research report by enrolling in SYA 6507 or SYA 6909, they must earn a grade of "B" (3.0) or better in each of the four required courses (SYA 5625; SYA 6126; at least 2 of the following: SYA 6305, SYA 6315, SYA 6356). Typically, students will form a 3 member faculty committee prior to enrolling in SYA 6507 or SYA 6909. A research report must meet the following requirements and be evaluated by a three member committee of UCF Sociology faculty. Outside committee members may be approved in limited scenarios by the UCF Sociology Graduate Committee. The research report consists of: 1) a 2-3 page proposal describing what the project and the final product will entail, which must be approved by the committee and 2) a research report approved and evaluated by the committee. The grading system for the research report is Pass/No Pass. Students who receive a grade of Pass will be allowed to graduate assuming all other requirements are met.
Equipment Fee
0 Total Credits
- Full-time students in the Applied Sociology MA program pay a $39 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $19.50 per semester.
Independent Learning
0 Total Credits
- As with all graduate programs, independent learning is an important component in the Applied Sociology master's program. Students will demonstrate independent learning through research seminars and research experiences with faculty and colleagues.
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least two from academic sources familiar with the applicant's academic abilities.
- A personal statement of 250-500 words identifying areas of research interest as it connected to thematic areas of UCF Sociology, faculty with whom they would like to work, and describing the applicant's academic and professional experience and goals.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
The applicant's records will be reviewed on an individual basis for academic deficiencies and evaluated to assess their potential for success in the program. Supplemental course work may be recommended.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program to the applicant's career/academic goals, and the applicant's potential for completing the degree. Note also that there is no automatic connection between acceptance as a non-degree-seeking student and acceptance into this degree-granting program. Consult the graduate program director whenever questions arise.
Application Deadlines
| Sociology MA, Applied | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Nov 1 | Apr 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Nov 1 |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
