Our program prepares you for professional practice in human service agencies and applied research settings as well as for further academic study in sociology and related fields. A committee of three faculty members guides and oversees your program of study as you progress toward completing your degree.
This degree is approved by the Western Regional Graduate Program.
If you’re wondering how to apply sociological theory and methodologies to find solutions to the problems facing society, you may want to consider an MA in Applied Sociology at Northern Arizona University. Here, you can build on your existing knowledge while preparing for job opportunities in applied research settings or for further academic studies in sociology.
This degree program is one of only a few offered in the country, and offers a diverse and highly collaborative academic atmosphere. You can design your coursework to reflect your personal interests, as well as choose between an internship or a thesis. Learn with a faculty who boast expertise in areas including family, gerontology, gender, social policy, deviance, race and ethnicity, environment, corrections, social psychology, and demography.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 38 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
The mission of the Sociology Program is to promote an understanding of the “problems of biography, history and their intersections within social structures” (C. Wright Mills). The program utilizes a two-pronged approach to accomplish this mission:
First, the program aims to increase understanding of group, organizational, and institutional processes that structure communities and human experience. The program helps students analyze experience in terms of patterns of beliefs, behaviors and resource distribution in social, cultural and historical context.
Second, the program encourages research and the application of sociological theory, knowledge and methodologies to address contemporary issues facing society at large and communities in our region. Our commitment to applied sociology is manifest in undergraduate and graduate internship programs that provide hands-on experience for our students to help bridge the gap between theory and practice of sociology and prepare them to use such knowledge and skills in a wide range of employment settings.
Graduates will be able to:
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Take the following 38 units:
Applied Sociology Courses (11 units)
Electives (21 units)
Select in consultation with your committee.
Internship or Thesis (6 units)
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.