Despite our differences, most people have common desires- to get along with others, to be treated equally, and to have fulfilling lives. As a sociology major, you will use scientific methods to study societies and social groups, uncovering how we relate to one another and how we can make peoples’ lives better. By developing strong research and evaluation skills, you'll be prepared for most any kind of community leadership or applied research and evaluation position, whether in the for-profit or nonprofit realm.
Many workplaces seek employees who can design, collect and interpret data to determine best practices. Social program funders are demanding evidence about community needs, preferences, and effective solutions to problems. Our faculty don't just teach about research. We actively engage you in our research projects and in class projects to help you develop these skills.
You may opt to do a research practicum, apply for research assistantships with the Community Research Center, or do a thesis in which you design and conduct your own original research. Some of our graduates who completed the applied research & evaluation concentration are now full-time researchers working for public agencies and private research firms. Others have elected to go on to highly reputed Ph.D. programs.
Research at UIndy has helped me to envision the magnitude of social problems on different levels, to question how privileges and inequalities came to be, and to think conceptually and quantitatively. The expertise I was afforded by professors and the skills I gained are readily applicable and help guide me in my career as I pursue the goal of praxis.
UIndy's Master of Arts in Applied Sociology program provides students with the critical thinking and research skills needed in today's ever changing world. It emphasizes the practical application of social science research in solving contemporary social problems, and helps students develop skills that can be used in a variety of organizations. Our program also provides strong foundation work for PhD programs.
The MA in Sociology program is 36 credit hours. All courses are three credit hours, so the length of the program depends on how many courses you take at a time. The 36-credit-hour total includes both required and elective courses. Part-time or full-time with guidance from an advisor, students choose when and how many classes to take at a time.
The curriculum offers a strong background in social theory and sociological research methods, while concentrations and electives help students apply theory and methods or develop expertise in specific areas. Many courses also promote cross-cultural and global understanding.
Our foundational and elective courses offer opportunities to explore the different areas of the social world sociologists study and the many types of work sociologists do. For example, SOC 575: Applying Sociology brings community leaders of organizations into the classroom to talk about their work and provides opportunities for you to visit their organizations. Directed readings and practicum experiences let you go deeper into research and practice in areas of your choice.
You can choose either a thesis or non-thesis option to complete the program. Both options include 18 credit hours of required courses (including six hours of practicum) and completion of a concentration. The thesis option offers three credit hours each for your thesis proposal and thesis. In the non-thesis option, those six credit hours are completed through elective courses.
You must choose from one of the following applied sociology concentrations:
Most courses meet on weekday evenings on the UIndy campus though sometimes classes will meet off-campus for a field trip or community project.
Classes run on a regular semester schedule. Students can begin the program in August, January, or May. Students must meet or exceed all admission requirements and be accepted into the program before enrolling in classes.
To be considered for UIndy's MA in Applied Sociology program, you must meet these requirements:
To apply, please submit the following items:
The application deadline for Semester I is July 15 and for Semester II is Nov. 1. Applications are accepted after these dates and will be considered for available openings in the program.
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As a business owner and organizational leader, I have the opportunity to mentor and influence numerous employees and others with whom I come in contact. The understanding of social systems, classical and contemporary theory, social research methods, and especially community leadership has made me a better communicator, able to reach people where they are and in a way that they understand.