The Department of Sociology offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Applied Sociology. Beyond a curriculum appropriate for general applied sociology, the program includes a graduate track in Domestic Violence as well as instruction and opportunities pertaining to the study of crime and deviance; social inequalities; and health, families and communities. 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 choose either the thesis or a nonthesis course of study. Both options require 30 hours of course work, at least half of which must be at the 6000 level or above.
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.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Degree Requirements
Core
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Please note that students in the nonthesis option are required to complete a research study in each of the 12 hours of required courses to provide an independent learning experience. SYA 5625 - ProSeminar Should be taken as early as possible in your program.
- Complete the following:
- SYA5625 - ProSeminar (3)
- SYA6126 - Social Theory (3)
- SYA6305 - Quantitative Social Research Methods (3)
- SYA6455 - Research Analysis (3)
Specialization
6 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- SYP5566 - Seminar on Domestic Violence: Theory, Research and Social Policy (3)
- SYP6563 - Reactions to Domestic Violence (3)
Elective Courses
6 Total Credits
- Complete at least 2 of the following:
- SYA6128 - Theoretical Criminology (3)
- SYA6657 - Program Design and Evaluation (3)
- SYP6561 - Child Abuse in Society (3)
- SYP6515 - Deviant Behavior Issues (3)
- SYP6522 - Sociological Perspectives on Victims (3)
- SYP6546 - Crime, Law, Inequality (3)
- SYD6809 - Seminar in Gender Issues (3)
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Thesis Option- The thesis option requires a minimum of 6 hours of thesis credit and a successful defense of a thesis. Students may enroll in thesis hours after they have successfully completed the four required courses and their thesis committee has been approved by the department and college. The student's permanent faculty adviser will chair their committee, which also will include two additional graduate sociology faculty members in the department. The additional members of the thesis committee are selected in consultation with the student's permanent faculty adviser. When a topic has been selected, students, in conjunction with their permanent adviser, will develop a thesis proposal. Copies of the proposal will be routed to members of their thesis committee and a proposal hearing scheduled. All students must pass a proposal hearing as well as a final oral defense of their thesis. Students who elect to write a thesis should become familiar with the university's requirements and deadlines for organizing and submitting the thesis.
Nonthesis Option- Complete all of the following
- The nonthesis option requires that students complete SYA 6657 - Program Design and Evaluation and 3 additional hours of elective course work in their area of specialization. The Program Design and Evaluation course (SYA 6657) requires community-oriented research projects to develop research skills in sociology.
- Complete the following:
- SYA6657 - Program Design and Evaluation (3)
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Directed Study for Applied Project Nonthesis students must complete an applied project. The nature and implementation of each project will be determined by the student and her/his adviser. Before students may begin the applied project, they must earn a grade of "B" (3.0) or better in each of the five core courses. The grading system for the project is Pass/No Pass. Students who receive a grade of Pass will be allowed to graduate assuming all other requirements are met. An Applied Project evaluated by a three-person committee consists of: A 1-2 page proposal describing what the project and the final product will entail. A final product approved and evaluated by the committee. A brief statement submitted with the final product indicating how the project is sociologically grounded.
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 the thesis (thesis students only).
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, faculty with whom they would like to work, and describing the applicant's academic and professional experiences 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.
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.
