Sociology, M.A. (Applied Concentration)

General Program Information

Martha Copp, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
223-H Rogers-Stout Hall
Box 70644
(423) 439-7056
e-mail: coppm@etsu.edu

William N. Duncan, Chair
223-B Rogers-Stout Hall
Box 70644
(423) 439-6650
e-mail: duncanwn@etsu.edu

Faculty: Joseph Baker; Scott Beck (Emeritus); Candace Forbes Bright; Anthony P. Cavender (Emeritus);Lindsey Cochran; Martha Copp; William Duncan; Kelly Foster; Paul Kamolnick; C. Lindsey King (Emerita); Robert Leger; Leslie McCallister; Melissa Schrift.

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers two (2) Master of Arts degree concentrations. The general sociology concentration is primarily for students intending to continue graduate training leading to the Ph.D.; the applied sociology concentration is oriented toward students interested in gaining competency in applied social research skills relevant to a variety of private and public sector settings. Qualified undergraduate students may receive approval to pursue the ETSU Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program. Graduates of the department have obtained jobs such as federal probation officers, director of residential treatment centers, research analysts, survey research specialists, superintendent of a juvenile correction facility, community college faculty members, as well as a variety of positions with departments of human services in Tennessee and neighboring states. Graduates have continued their studies in sociology by pursuing the Ph.D. at institutions such as University of Florida, North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, University of Nebraska, Wayne State, Colorado State University, University of Louisville, and University of Tennessee. For more information contact the department’s graduate coordinator.

Program Admission Requirements

1. A 3.0 overall undergraduate grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
2. An undergraduate major or minor in sociology is preferred. Students who have completed at least three (3) courses in sociology may be admitted under the condition that they enroll in and complete, with at least a grade of “B”, two (2) upper-level undergraduate courses. Evidence of successfully completed coursework in undergraduate-level statistics is preferred.
3. A writing sample, such as a paper previously submitted for credit in an undergraduate or graduate course.
4. Three (3) letters of recommendation ideally from former professors. Letters should address the applicant’s potential for success, writing ability, and experience with statistics.

Sociology, M.A. Degree Requirements: 36 credits

Sociology Core Requirements: 9 credits

• SOCI 5110 - Contemporary Social Theory (3 credits)
• SOCI 5210 - Sociological Research (3 credits)
• SOCI 5444 - Data Analysis (3 credits)

Applied Concentration: 24 credits

• SOCI 5320 - Program Evaluation (3 credits)
• SOCI 5820 - Applied Skills (3 credits)
• SOCI 5850 - Supervised Internship (1-6 credits) (Take for 6 credits)
• Focus Courses (12 credits)

Culminating Experience: 3 credits

• SOCI 5870 - Internship Placement Report (3 credits)

Additional Information

As with the thesis option, students may take no more than nine (9) credits outside the department. Any exceptions to the ”core” courses must be approved by the graduate coordinator and the student’s advisory committee chair. Those students deemed to have had insufficient coursework in sociology at the undergraduate-level may be required to enroll in one (1) to three (3) “5xx7” courses.

The special feature of the applied sociology concentration is a supervised internship. Students, in conjunction with the internship coordinator and their advisory committee, will select an appropriate placement in an agency, organization, or applied research project in which they will work, under supervision, for a total of 280-300 hours. Students will receive six (6) credits by enrolling in SOCI 5850 - Supervised Internship . The culmination of the applied sociology concentration is an analytical report based on the student’s internship experience and knowledge gained from previous coursework for which they receive three (3) credits by taking SOCI 5870 - Internship Placement Report . Students interested in the applied sociology concentration should indicate so in their first semester of study and a screening interview will be conducted by the second semester.

A written comprehensive examination is required to successfully complete the degree program.