Applied Social Research, MA

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Department of Criminology and Sociology

Rhodes Tower 1721
(216) 687-4500
https://levin.csuohio.edu/criminology-and-sociology/ma-in-applied-social-research
Valerie Wright, Department Chair
Linda Francis, Graduate Program Director

The Program

The Master of Arts in Applied Social Research program provides advanced instruction in the essential empirical knowledge of social science, especially in the major applied social research skills, both qualitative and quantitative. The emphasis is on research skills needed for the workplace, including such topics as evaluation research, surveys, needs assessment, community impact, statistics, and data management. This training can be utilized in a variety of workplaces, including academic, business, government, and agency settings. Alternatively, the master’s program can serve as preparation for doctoral studies. All core courses and seminars are held during late afternoon or evening hours, weekdays except Friday.

Faculty Research and Publications

The faculty members of the Department of Criminology and Sociology conduct applied and basic research on a variety of major contemporary social issues, including the aging population, health and health care, development, social theory, symbolic interactionism, qualitative research, community organizing, social movements, public sociology, policing, prisons, women and crime, capital punishment, social control, criminal justice case processing, homicide, domestic violence, regional culture, language, and archaeology. In the past few years, faculty members have authored a dozen books and several dozen journal articles. This research has been supported by several large federal and foundation research grants and a number of smaller state and local awards. Opportunities exist for student involvement in this work, particularly since most of it is conducted in the Cleveland area. The Department is also the home of the Criminology Research Center, which conducts criminological research for local, state and federal agencies. The Research Center employs graduate assistants to work on these projects.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Admission Information

All applicants must meet College of Graduate Studies requirements for admission. Students must have a minimum overall grade-point average of 3.0. An applicant may hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than criminology or sociology, but there should be evidence of preparation in these disciplines. An undergraduate course in statistics is essential, and a course in social science theory is strongly recommended. In some cases, students who lack a background in theory and/or statistics may be granted conditional admission while course deficiencies are satisfied.

Students applying for admission must submit transcripts and two letters of reference, at least one of which should be from a professor who is from one of the social sciences and is familiar with the student’s work.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/graduate-admissions/how-apply

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships and tuition grants are available to qualified students. Interested students should contact the Criminology and Sociology Department Graduate Program Director.

Degree Requirements

In addition to meeting all University requirements, degree candidates must successfully complete a minimum of thirty credit hours, or ten courses. These must include five core courses (with a choice of either SOC 695 or SOC 690 ) two graduate-level seminars and three tool skill electives.

1. Core courses (15 credits):

Students must take either SOC 695 (3 credits) or SOC 690 (3 credits), not both. All other courses listed are required.

3. Three tool skill electives (9 credits):

Three tool skill courses including SOC 590 , SOC 595 , or approved graduate-level courses from related social science and interdisciplinary social science departments. At least one must be taken outside of the department, but most students will take at least two from another department or college. The department has a list of pre-approved outside tool skill courses, but others may be taken with permission.