Department of Sociology

M. A. Degree in Applied Sociology

Program of Studies

This program of studies enables graduates to get a competitive edge by learning the applied diagnostic and intercultural communication skills, and gaining important insights into diversity in the workplace and society, that the experts say are what they seek in hiring/promoting employees.

Because these skills and knowledge are of great value in virtually every occupational field, this Master’s program has demonstrated appeal in a variety of professional settings. These include, but are not limited to, departments of human resources or research and planning in banking, corporations, education, government, health care, insurance, marketing, and community and other nonprofit organizations.

For further information, please contact the Graduate Director, Prof. Vincent N. Parrillo at gradsoc@wpunj.edu or 973-720-3881.

M.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, 33 CREDITS

(From the courses below, an advisor will tailor a individualized program of studies to build on each student’s strengths and develop the necessary knowledge base to be mastered.)

Core Courses (18 credits)  

SOC 515 Applied Social Statistics
SOC 518 Sociological Theories

and two of the following:

SOC 514 Applied Quantitative Methods
SOC 517 Applied Qualitative Methods
SOC 519 G IS I Basic Mapping: Applications and Analysis
SOC 531 Program Evaluation

and

SOC 691 Professional Internship I plus
SOC 692 Profession Internship II or
SOC 698 Research Thesis

[Note: The internship may be completed within a student’s current work setting if provision can be made for the student to work there on a supervised, deliverable project.]

Electives (15 credits)

SOC 510 Cities and Urban Policies
SOC 520 GIS II: Principles of Geographic Information Science
SOC 521 Contemporary Issues in the Workplace
SOC 540 Diversity in America
SOC 542 Sociology of Intercultural Communication
SOC 544 Contemporary Immigration to the United States
SOC 550 Age and Aging
SOC 551 Racial Identity Formation in the U.S.
SOC 553 Health and Social Justice
SOC 566 Conflict and Conflict Management
SOC 568 Drugs and Social Policy
SOC 570 Gender in a Globalizing Society
SOC 613 Population Studies
SOC 630 Ethnic and Racial Experiences
SOC 661 Organizations and Social Action
SOC 599 Special Topics
SOC 698 Research Thesis

With an advisor’s approval, students may take up to 6 credits outside the Sociology Department from the following courses:

AACS 621   History of Blacks in America
AACS 622   Contemporary Black America
AACS 624   Social Organization of Justice
CMAT 521   Inclusion & Second Language Learners
CMHL 505  Cultural Dimensions of Health
COMS 616  Gender and Communication
COMS 621  Global Communication
CSP 651     Counseling for Substance Abuse: Applications for School & Community
EDLP 609   Supervision and Evaluation: Performance Appraisal
EDLP 610   School Management Functions
EDLP 611   Problems in Practice: Legal and School Centered Issues
EDLP 612   Supervision and Evaluation of Support Staff and Ed Programs
HIST 540     Abundance and Poverty in U.S. History
HIST 550     Violence in America
HIST 545     The Reform Impulse in American History
LAW 700      Legal Environment of Business
MGT 604      Management Process and Organizational Theory
MKT 608      Marketing Management
NUR 570     Health Legislation & Social Policy
POL 501      Public Policy in an Age of Globalization
POL 503      Comparative Public Policy
POL 604      The Gendered State & Public Policy
POL 621      American Welfare Policy in a Global Perspective
POL 622      Intermestic Policy in the Americas: Licit/Illicit Flows-Drugs, Money and Immigration
PSY 682      Gerontology for Applied Psychologists
PSY 683      Substance Abuse Interventions
SPED 536   Guidance and Community Programs for the Disabled
SPED 550   Social and Psychological Needs of the Developmentally Disabled

 

Updated November 12, 2009