Master of Arts in Applied Sociology

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 deviant behavior and crime; social inequalities; and health, families and communities. A primary focus of the program is the variety of social problems in society with special attention given to the central Florida area and the different community policies that have evolved to confront them. 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.