Master of Science in Rural Sociology

Admission and Recommended Prerequisites

See About Rural Sociology for admission requirements.

Two Master’s Degree Options

Professional Master’s Degree

The degree is designed for persons who wish to have the training needed to carry out applied research, policy analysis and program evaluation in a government or business. The 39-credit program includes a six- to eight-credit-hour internship.

Specializations

There are two options for this degree — community facilitation and analytical processes for community.

Course Requirements

The only course required for both options is Rural Sociology 7325 American Community Studies; however students wishing to go on for a PhD must complete Rural Sociology 7130 and 8510 and Sociology 8100. At the time of last revision for the Graduate Catalog, the required courses for each option are being revised; students should consult the department for a complete list of requirements.

Students must also take 3 courses out of the rural sociology core. The core includes Rural Sociology 7130, 7370, 7310, 7335, 7446, 8287, 8510, 8425, 8444 and 8447.

Required courses for the community facilitation option are Rural Sociology 7341 and Public Affairs 8610 and 8630. Current required courses for analytical processes option are Rural Sociology 7130 and 8510 plus a methods course that has multivariate analysis as a pre-requisite.

Practical experience

Each student will have a practical experience through an internship doing applied social science work with a private or a public agency. The type of internship will vary according to student needs and interests, but it should be the equivalent of at least three months of full-time employment. Students will receive six to eight credits for this experience and will prepare a written report of their experience. Previous experience may be substituted for part of this requirement.

Master’s Degree

A traditional 30-hour master’s degree with thesis also is offered. Students choosing the 30-hour MS degree may expect to continue toward a PhD.

Required courses for this degree are Rural Sociology 7130 and 8510 and Sociology 8100.