Curriculum & Courses for the Master of Arts in Applied Sociology

UIndy's Master of Arts in Applied Sociology program offers a strong background in social theory and sociological research methods, and many courses also promote cross-cultural and global understanding.

Course requirements

Below you'll find an outline of the course requirements for the MA in Applied Sociology program.

Non-thesis option

  • 15 hours required Sociology coursework
  • 21 hours from at least one concentration and additional Sociology electives
  • 36 hours total

Thesis option

  • 15 hours required Sociology coursework
  • 15 hours from at least one concentration and additional Sociology electives
  • 3 hours Thesis Proposal
  • 3 hours Thesis
  • 36 hours total

Core required courses (15 hours)

  • SOC 575 - Applying Sociology (3 hours)
  • SOC 530 - Introduction to Social Research (3 hours)
  • SOC 531 - Quantitative Data Analysis (3 hours) OR SOC 532 - Qualitative Methods of Research & Evaluation (3 hours)
  • SOC 533 - Classical Sociological Theory (3 hours)*
  • SOC 536 - Contemporary Social Theory (3 hours) (prerequisite SOC 533)

*SOC 533 is required if the student has not taken it previously at the undergraduate or graduate levels. Students who have already taken a classical theory course may petition the graduate director to have this requirement waived and choose an elective instead.

Concentration areas

Coursework in a minimum of one concentration area is required. Students may choose multiple concentrations, though this may extend their time in the program depending on the concentrations selected. Students may take courses that are not in their chosen concentration area(s) as electives, so long as they have the required prerequisites. All concentrations are 21 credit hours including elective courses.

Community leadership concentration

  • SOC 500 - Urban & Community Sociology (3 hours)
  • SOC 511 - Leadership of Social Agencies (3 hours)
  • SOC 513 - Grant Writing for Program Development & Research Support (3 hours) (prerequisite SOC 530)
  • SOC 550 - Service Practicum (3 hours)
  • ENGL 583 - Writing and Editing for Nonprofits (3 hours) 
  • 6 credit hours of electives

Applied research & evaluation concentration

  • SOC 531 - Quantitative Data Analysis (3 hours) OR SOC 532 - Qualitative Methods of Research & Evaluation (3 hours) (whichever was not taken as part of the Core; prerequisite SOC 530)
  • SOC 513 - Grant Writing for Program Development & Research Support (3 hours) (prerequisite SOC 530)
  • SOC 589 - Thesis Proposal (3 hours) AND SOC 590 - Thesis/Project/Sociology (3 hours) OR a minimum of 6 hours in a research-oriented SOC 550 practicum
  • 9 credit hours of electives

Teaching College Sociology

*to be paired with the Community Leadership or Applied Research Concentration

  • SOC 551 - Teaching Experience (3 hours) 
  • Six credit hours (two classes) of the following courses (course offers subject to faculty availability): 
    • SOC 515 - Empowering a Diverse Workforce (3 hours) 
    • SOC 519 - The Family: A Global Perspective (3 hours)
    • SOC 500 - Urban & Community Sociology (3 hours)
    • SOC 510: Criminology (3 hours)
    • SOC 580:Topical Seminar in Sociology (3 hours)
    • SOC 518: Social Inequality (3 hours)
  • Other approved graduate electives
  • 12 credit hours of electives

Electives 

Any of the above courses not required for your concentration can be electives, along with the courses listed below. 
  • SOC 550 - Practicum (can be service or research based) 
  • SOC 580 - Topical Seminar in Sociology
  • SOC 585 - Directed Readings
  • SOC 599 - Independent Study

Additional program options

  • Students may take up to six hours of coursework outside sociology with the permission of their advisor.
  • SOC 501 Graduate Community Project may be counted for 3 of the required 6 practicum hours.
  • Students who have taken a classical sociological theory course in their undergraduate studies may take an additional elective instead of SOC 533 Classical Sociological Theory.
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